F.A.CUP 3RD ROUND DRAW

Below is the draw for the third round of the F.A.CUP and for SAINTS it could well have ended before it has begun, as we have Man Utd at home. In cup competitions we do not have much luck against the red devils but I have fond memories of the day in which Man Utd turned up as themselves but left as Sheff Wed when they went 3 nil down and said they could not see each other. Because of the grey shirts they were wearing. So in the league we have had great matches against them at the Dell, so never say never and we could spring a surprise at St Mary's. We could also get the Telly down as well, which would mean much needed revenue boost, and the biggest crowds of the season.

I only hope having watched Histon v Leeds today on the ITV that they get cameras which are protected from the weather, it was abysmal to have to watch through watery lenses. Hope the BBC get the contract back soon, as everything about ITV's coverage is poor. Where as you had 24 hour repeats fo every goal on the BBC if you pressed the red button, you get a late night show on the ITV or are forced to go and view them on the internet. Like F1 they will see sense and give it back to the beeb.

Portsmouth v Bristol City
Sheffield Wed v Fulham
Preston v Liverpool
Birmingham v Wolves
West Ham v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Barrow
Hull City v Newcastle
Hartlepool v Stoke
Chelsea v Southend
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
Cardiff v Reading
Ipswich v Chesterfield or Droylsden
Charlton v Norwich
West Brom v Peterborough or Tranmere
Torquay v Blackpool
Leyton Orient v Sheffield United
Southampton v Manchester United
Millwall v Carlisle or Crewe
Histon v Swansea
Forest Green Rovers v Derby
QPR v Burnley
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Wigan
Morecambe or Cheltenham v Doncaster
Arsenal v Plymouth
Notts County or Kettering v Eastwood Town
Bournemouth or Blyth Spartans v Blackburn
Macclesfield v Everton
Watford v Scunthorpe
Sunderland v Bolton
Coventry v Kidderminster
Gillingham or Stockport v Aston Villa.

Ties will be played on the weekend of 3-4 January