Planet Swans ArchivesI said it myself earlier in the week that a replay in the FA Cup was the last thing that we needed. Especially as cup runs create fixture backlogs. However, a very creditable draw at Reading has led to that eventuality and do you know what? I can’t wait.
To experience one more night of FA Cup magic at the Vetch is too good an opportunity to miss and win or lose I suspect that there will be a hell of an atmosphere for the game especially if the men of the balls are kind enough to us tomorrow and provide for the victors a real glamour tie.
Of course we are gutted that we didn’t write one of the FA Cup headlines on the weekend but when the draw was made did anyone really expect to get anything from a side that are challenging for the Premiership? Especially on their own patch. To come so close is agonising but nothing should take away from what was a very good result.
It also means that we now go into the replay almost with a sense of expectation that we have to win. Well, surely it’s written in the stars? Last season at the Vetch and all that. Would be nice if that was true but we all know that it isn’t but what we can expect is a rousing performance backed by the sort of crowd that helped to knock West Ham out in 1999. And let’s not forget the similarities there that we were two minutes away from victory in the first game although there is a marked difference in standard between the two equalisers.
I have no doubt that Swansea fans will all have their fingers crossed tomorrow that ball number 12 Swansea City is given the draw that it wants which for me is either a trip to Old Trafford (let’s assume they will get past Exeter) or any Premiership club here at the Vetch.
What yesterday’s result also gives us is continued confidence. We have the small matter of Wycombe at the Vetch before Reading arrive and three points will go down very nicely. I am sure at this moment that the players believe that they can beat anyone. Confidence and complacency can be very close at times but at no stage this season have we seen complacency setting in so there is no reason to think that we will now.
A big well done to all of those that made the trip to Reading yesterday and here’s hoping that we see them all at the Vetch on Saturday afternoon – for those that know people that just turn up for the big games then remind them that Football’s for life – not just for 3rd Round FA Cup ties!
Bring it on and let’s worry about potential fixture congestion as it happens. And no matter what the draw brings us tomorrow the league will always remain more important than the FA Cup. But the Cup makes for a nice distraction now and again!
