The FA Cup

By The Black Cats
January 23 2009

Blackburn Rovers visit the Sunderland Stadium of Light for the third time this season when they face the Black Cats in one of three all Premier League fourth round ties. Sunderland will be looking to give some of their frnige players a run out but at the same time field a strong team as they have 3 games in 8 days - including a trip to St. James' Park next Sunday.

This match provides the opportunity of a reunion for the two managers. Sunderland's Ricky Sbragia spent two years as first team coach at Bolton under Sam Allardyce, and then Sammy Lee. Allardyce, who was linked with the Sunderland job when it became vacant after Roy Keane's departure, played for the Mackems in 1980.

Sunderland are hoping to knock Blackburn out of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

The League ladder

Blackburn are just two points and two places below Sunderland in the Premier League table, in 17th spot; one of five teams on 21 points at the foot.

Referee

Lee Probert (Wiltshire)


SUNDERLAND

Current form

One win in five; nine losses in 15.

Recent FA Cup performance

Victory would make this Sunderland's best performance since 2004, when they reached the semi-finals.

The Manager

Ricky Sbragia was part of the York City side that shocked Liverpool in the fifth round at Bootham Crescent on 16 February 1985. Sbragia scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw, but the Merseyside giants thrashed the Third Division club 7-0 at Anfield in the replay four days later.

FA Cup fact

One of a select few clubs to have won the FA Cup when not playing top-flight football. Their 1-0 triumph over mighty Leeds in 1973 will always be remembered for Jim Montgomery's double save, Ian Porterfield's winning volley on the half-hour and the dash across the field on the final whistle by manager Bob Stokoe, who lost his trilby in the process.

BLACKBURN ROVERS

Current form

Won the last two.

Undefeated in five; won three and drawn two since suffering six defeats on the trot.

Recent FA Cup performance

Semi-finalists in two of the last four years.

The Manager

Sam Allardyce took Bolton to the Carling Cup final in 2004, but they lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough. Four seasons earlier, Big Sam guided the Trotters to the semi-finals of both the league and FA Cup.

FA Cup fact

The last club to win the FA Cup three times in a row (1884, 1885 and 1886), but not figured in the Wembley showpiece final since 1960, losing 3-0 to Wolves.

HEAD to HEAD

All competitions

These clubs have already met three times this season; Blackburn won 1-2 at the Stadium of Light in the fourth round of the Carling Cup, but Sunderland have had the better of the exchanges in the league, winning 1-2 at Ewood Park and drawing 0-0 on their own patch.

FA Cup

This is the sixth time Sunderland and Blackburn have been drawn together in the competition. Blackburn have progressed in all five of the previous occasions.