FA Cup 4th Round Draw

Ties to Be Played w/e 29/30th January 2005

Derby County v Watford/Fulham

Man Utd/Exeter City v Middlesbrough

Cardiff City/Blackburn Rovers v Colchester United

Chelsea v Birmingham City

West Ham Utd v Sheff Utd

Oldham Athletic v Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal v Wolves

Everton v Sunderland

Nottm Forest v Peterborough Utd

Brentford v Hartlepool Utd/Boston utd

Reading/Swansea City v Leicester City/Blackpool

Burnley/Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth

Southampton v Portsmouth

WBA v Tottenham

Newcastle Utd v Coventry City

Charlton Ath v Yeovil

Now an apology. Due to circumstances beyond my control and due to a stupid PC, 50 Years Over 100 Years would like to apologise for being offline for the last few days.

Now back to business.

The weekend's FA Cup ties brought about a few surprises including Conference side Exeter going to mighty Man Utd and getting an astounding draw. Oldham beating Man City, Brighton putting up a great show at Tottenham, Arsenal struggling to get past Stoke City and OF course Scunthorpe doing their best to win at Stamford Bridge.

A goal up inside eight minutes from Paul Hayes who incidentially would have been my man to watch had I been able to preview this game. Scunthorpe also managed to hit the woodwork and with a lot of guts, determination and fight proved that League Two football is not the pushover that some media critics suggest that it is.

Brian Laws should be a proud man for a long time to come with the performance that his players gave, and I sincerely hope that the 6,000 plus travelling fans also recognise the team's performance and continue to support Scunthorpe in their pursuit of promotion from League Two. Good Luck Scunthorpe.

Brian Laws said after the game that JM had treated Scunthorpe like Kings and was in full praise of JM for the hospitality that was shown.

Kings maybe, but I do not think that JM had taken the threat of Scunthorpe to seriously and pay Scunthorpe the respect that they had surely deserved. A lot of eyebrows must have been raised when the Chelsea team was announced before kick off. No JT, no Bill Gallas, no Ferreira, no Duff and the rest.

For a start a back four of Glen Johnson, Steven Watt, Alexei Smertin and Nuno Morias. What is that all about? Obviously JM knew something that we didn't but surely there are times to give the reserves a game, but I really don't think that Saturday was the time. Gudjohnsen in midfield along with Geremi, Tiago and Joey Cole with Kezman and Drogba up front. Not a lot wrong with that but surely working Edier so hard in midfield isn't gonna do an awful lot for his stamina and recvoery time, before the Man Utd game.

As I say, JM knew more than us. Personally I think he got lucky. For long periods of play Scunthorpe were the better team and deserved to score more goals than they actually did. And Scunthorpe were unlucky to go behind to the Andy Crosby own goal which gave Chelsea a 2-1 lead. The other scorers being Eider and Kezman, and for a confidence booster - Kezzer took his goal superbly.

On Wednesday night Chelsea take on Man Utd in the 1st Leg of the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge. I know one thing is for certain Arjen Robben is out, due to suspension, after picking up his 5th booking against Liverpool and Super Frank, who missed the Scunthorpe game due to suspension, will be available for selection. It will be very interesting to see the type of team that SAF picks. Does he stick with the 'kids' or does he break his promise and bring out the 'big guns.'