Rob and Wayne’s FA Cup Preview!

By: Rob | January 24th, 2009

First off, apologies for this being late up, its the fault of both myself and Wayne. But we thought we’d bring you anyway, our usual round up of our thoughts from the week, and indeed our feelings and predictions going into an FA Cup fourth round weekend.

So that covers the dusting off of the Kaká affair, A couple of interesting moves in the Prem, and the potential buyouts of Liverpool and Chelsea. That and of course, our favourite FA Cup moments from down the years.

So lets start with today’s news, Heskey has moved to Aston Villa, Jimmy Bullard has moved to Hull, good moves?
Wayne - In terms of Heskey’s move, I think it’s a good move for all parties. Heskey gets to go and play with a club challenging for the CL and he meets up with an old manager in Martin O’Neill so for him it’s great. For Aston Villa it’s good because they get the target man striker they’ve wanted since Carew has been injured, and for Wigan it’s simple; they’ve got €4M for a player who’s over 30 and out of contract in the summer. Win-win in my opinion. I’m more confused about Jimmy Bullard’s transfer. Not from Hull’s point, they’ve done really well to nab a player of Bullard’s quality. But I can’t see why Fulham would want to sell him. Yes, he wanted a bigger contract, but he’s become an English international since he signed his last contract at the Cottagers. So from that point I think Fulham should have coughed up, because Bullard appears to be quite an influential player and I think it’ll be interesting to see if the loss of him affects Fulham’s players..
Rob – I think its the best move Heskey could have hoped for. I didn’t really see Liverpool going in for him at all, but I think that for Heskey signing under Martin O’Neill, in an area of the country where he lived before is a good one. No doubt it will have upset Birmingham City supporters though – and I’m not sure how Villa fans will take to having an ex-Blues player on their books. The thing about Bullard is, well, Hull are going to struggle alot more next year than this, so I don’t know if its as big a step up as it initally appears. Still shows Hull’s appitite for the Prem at least.

The other big news of today is the fact that both Liverpool and Chelsea are facing buyouts? Do you seem them going through?
Wayne - I don’t know really. They seem to have two very different situations in that Liverpool’s owners, on the face of it, want to sell whereas Abramovich appears to have no desire to sell Chelsea, despite his alleged financial difficulties of late. I think the Liverpool one might go through, Hicks and Gillett never seem comfortable in their role as owners and the ‘Pool fans hate them. I don’t think the Chelsea one will go through. Even if Abramovich could do with selling, I think he has too much pride to sell-up. Expect his €200M yacht to go instead
Rob - I think thats probably about right. Liverpool need to sell so they can pay off that loan, whereas Roman doesn’t need to sell – although he’s clearly going to be putting alot less into the club in future, so maybe if someone came in with a really big offer, then maybe he’d be tempted. He doesn’t seem as interested in Chelsea as he did 12 months ago.

So…what did you make of the Kaká affair?
Wayne - It was all a bit crazy really. The negotiations seemed to go on forever and in the end Kaká didn’t even sign. I think it’s kinda pathetic too the way both clubs are claiming they ended the negotiations. I can see it’s a sort of face-saving process but it looks awful in my opinion. From a moral point of view, I think it’s good that Kaká didn’t sign with City. It shows that to some players, loyalty is more important than money.
Rob – I think it was probably all a put up job by Berlusconi, taking advantage of City’s interest. Its interesting how he sucked us all in – we really thought kaka was going to move, and indeed, the Milan fans now will treat him like a hero, which is what Berlusconi would have wanted anyway. He’s gambled and won.

On to the FA Cup, big tie is of course, the Mersey rematch, Liverpool vs Everton, predictions?
Wayne – Hmmmm….I was correct in saying the last one would be a draw but I got the score wrong. I think Everton might just nick this one. I have a feeling (I could be wrong) that Rafa isn’t going to put out a full-strength squad and if so, Everton could take this one. Everton to win.
Rob - I think its going to be really tight, maybe even another draw. 1-0 either way.

Man United vs Spurs is another all Prem tie of course, Spurs have threatened to put out a week side, but apparently, Harry has changed his mind? A win for United?
Wayne – Yeah, I think United should win this one without much work. In previous years, United have usually beaten Spurs but more often than not they’ve been tough opponents. Lately however, they look like a side defeated, which is extraordinary considering how ‘Arry did in his first few games. United have many injuries, but should still be much too strong for Spurs. I also think that United really want to win the FA Cup this season. after losing to Chelsea in the 06/07 Final and being knocked out by eventual winners Pompey last year, they’ll really want this one.
Rob - Should be a really entertaining match, assuming both sides do put out half decent sides. Both seem to be really struggling with injuries. I’ll go for United to nick it.

The FA Cup is of course beloved for its upsets, want to predict a couple this week?
Wayne - I’ll do some quick predictions. I think Torquay will beat Coventry, Kettering will hold Fulham, Chelsea will demolish Ipswich and my final one, I think Wolves will beat ‘Boro at Molineux.
Rob - Wolves could beat Boro, with the current form their on. I think there might be a bit of an upset at the Emirates, depending on which Arsenal turn up. And it’d be great if Kettering could beat Fulham, I think its been 20 years since a non league side made the fifth round of the FA Cup.

And as there’s no Fantasy Football this week, what is your Favourite FA Cup moment?
Wayne - Do you really have to ask? No doubt it’s Ryan Giggs’ goal in the Semi-Final replay against Arsenal on the 14th April 1999 at Villa Park. That goal was beautiful, and so timely too. Considering Schmeichel had saved a penalty from Bergkamp in the last minute of normal time I thought that getting to penalties would be good. But the way Giggs pciked up that ball and just ran, almost floated was superb, and I’m pretty sure it’s the greatest individual goal I’ve ever seen. Poetry in motion..
Rob - As a supporter then the whole of Bristol Rovers incredible run last year was very very special indeed. Rickie Lambert – forever a legend in my eyes.