FA Cup 3rd Round 6th/7th/8th Jan

[keemanan]

I have Reading down too swoops , I think they will have a good attitude for this game , be a nice little test for their prem credentials. Reminds me of when city who were top and unbeatable in the CCC went to premiership Ipswich who were struggling a bit at the time and absolutely destroyed them, well worth a punt IMO , give you a good run at a nice price

Agree on your Watford choice too , gonna stick them in a multiple somewhere . I like Watford this season , they are a solid 4-4-2 team who could easily upset Bolton. A big team they are too.

I really like Leeds' chances at Wigan too AFU, nowt to seperate these teams on paper really , Wigan overacheiving based on great team spirit and Leeds getting to grips with the division and pressurising that 2nd play off place . The 4/1 is amazing really and will be my big single this weekend.So glad your on this fasteddy as you were dead right with your analysis about spurs v city this week . Another fine piece of work there

I have Villa too guys , like swoops says , 2 weeks ago I'd have fancied Hull but now the 4/5 looks a must , they have a fine playing surface and Villa will have no excuses for losing this. Hull are mediocre really , plodders , they struggle against any real quality. When Donny beat them they were out of form natrass I think they warrant support now

Yip to Blackburn again as Crowie and kiko point and for all those reasons they give , that price is too big , will double them up with Villa I rekon and await my money

I'll be all over Brentford too as Stockport are woeful , I know little of these teams but living in the area I know Stockport suck at the moment and 4/5 about Brentford looks lovely.

I game I aint seen mentioned is an all CCC clash , Derby host Burnley , I really think that the rams are on the upturn , Seth johnson is playing really well for them. They ended Readings good run recently , should have won too but had a player sent off. They followed it up with awful performance at Millwall. I think they can be backed at home here though as Burnley are bad on the road , 1 win in 6 . I think if Derby were odds against i wouldn't bother but that price has me interested.

Anyone fancy backing Wednesday this weekend against struggling Charlton?

2 wins on the bounce for the Owls , big crowd , Charlton 4 straight defeats on the road , 11/4 is ok for small wager.

Villa 4/5 (7/10)
Leeds 4/1 (6/10)
Blackburn 2/7 (8/10)
Derby 5/4 (6/10)
Sheff Wed 11/4 (5/10)
Brentford 4/5 (7/10)
Watford 11/5 (5/10)
Reading 12/5 (5/10)

[kompressaur]

what about tonight's game fellas. Anyone got anything on it?

[Computer Guy]

Im afraid I think Sunderland are gonna win by at least 2 clear goals. They started at Fulham with the mentality of 'go enjoy yourselves' and it showed. They maybe got beat because the confidence started going, but I fully expect them to win fairly easy.

As to Leeds and all you mad fcukers, if Plymouth had had a decent striker, they could easily have been 2 down at HT. Admittedly Wigan are going to chop and change the side, but can you honestly see Leeds not conceding? Killas playing well but apart from that the defence is very weak. Anything better than a 1-0 defeat is a bonus for Leeds imo and a 1-0 defeat is what I would take. That way it leaves us clear to try and pull Sheff U back in the league.

[bromsgrovegreen]

i got a soft spot for donny, had a FEW dodgy results since their cup heroics but on their day one of the top 4 sides in this division imo.hopefully the fa cup will kickstart their season, players liike mcindoe,thornton,cronin,lewis quality.will include them in a small treble

[kompressaur]

aye food for thought CG. I too just have a feeling that Sunderland will get it together tomorrow. I dont know the psychology of it all but it feels as if Sunderland will have a wee point to prove over their non league neighbours. As if defeat is unthinkable and they'll get down to the task in hand. Dont get me wrong Sunderland could be real shit and i'd neeed you guys to tell me this. If they started well enough v Fulham that will do for me. I wont be getting involved in this but i'll take my hat off to folks if they aint throwing their money away on Northwich.

Anyone fancy Cheltenham? I'll read up the page in a sec as im on page 2. Chester have lost their last 5. Im thinking about Cheltenham being usually quite strong at home and after their exertions in the last round v Oxford they aint gonna be wanting to give it up v Chester. They beat Carlise 1-0 at home in the round before that (interested in the report) Cheltenham have won their last 3 at home and are undefeated in the last 8. h2h's look good too but i wont bore you with them. Chester's away form is ok mind only losing 4 in 13. Aye i reckon the 19/20 in my local Hills could be worrth a pop (11/10 Stan James) I might have to fight for it. shit it aint good at all is it? Gonna be tight.

Anyone got any views on this one?

[Computer Guy]

Id prefer it if Sunderland get it together on Sunday as its then when they'll be playing

[Keith]

Derby v Burnley

I think Burnley may be worth a small interest at 3.00 with Bet 365.

Derby are in poor form having taken 2/12 points over Xmas. They are in a relegation battle which is now their priority in life.

Tudgay has left the club this week and Graham and Davies have not been given permission to play by their parent clubs. The loss of Graham in particular leaves Derby short of fire power. Only one recognised forward available from what I gather and he is neither in form nor favour. (Pescywhatsisname).

I read the Managers interview in The Derby Evening Telegraph. He was being a little coy over his team selection and I may be reading too much between the lines but I got the impression that one or two other players maybe weary/carrying injuries after the hectic festive fixtures and he may decide to rest them.

Derby may sacrifice a lucrative Cup run in favour of devoting their playing resources to a fight for survival. They only have a small squad as it is.

[Bigkegman]

Blackburn are 2/5 with Skybet

[kompressaur]

just noticed Cheltenham beat Chester 1-0 in the league a few weeks back. Thats gotta be worth a read.

http://www.chester-city.co.uk/last_month_matches.asp

Chester dont seem all bad but theyre hardly in inspired form. From reading all that i think Cheltenham seemed happy enoughto siton their ;ead (worrying poss at home) nah it was boxing day and no one could be bothered. They will for the cup though im sure. Bit of a derby i suppose aint it and Chester will have a few through. More chester news here
http://www.chester-city.co.uk/latest.asp

Des anyone have any Cheltenham town match reports links?

[Computer Guy]

Komp http://www.cheltenhamtownfc.premiumt...,10434,00.html

[Swooperman]

Barnsley v Walsall

Preview from soccernet:

Defender Bobby Hassell remains a doubt for Barnsley's home FA Cup third round tie against Walsall.

But Matt Carbon is expected to return to the starting line-up following concussion.

Both Hassell and Carbon sustained their injuries in the recent derby draw with Huddersfield.

Midfielder Stephen McPhail is also expected to return to the squad after missing the last three matches with an ankle injury.

Boss Andy Ritchie could decide to play Carbon in central defence from the start and switch Neil Austin to left-back with Robbie Williams dropping to the bench.

New striker Tommy Wright will make his home debut, with Ritchie having to choose one from Paul Hayes, Daniel Nardiello and Marc Richards for the other attacking slot.

Walsall boss Paul Merson will hand a debut to Kevin James.

The striker has joined the Saddlers from League One rivals Nottingham Forest for the rest of the season and is likely to play some part against the Tykes.

Meanwhile, Merson will be without James Constable, who is cup-tied after playing in the competition for Chippenham Town, while Matty Fryatt is missing due to a hamstring injury.

Merson continues to sit out with an Achilles injury.

......Barnsleys home record is as good as Walsalls away is poor. 7-5-1-25-13 compared to 2-3-9-14-26. Barnsley are unbeaten in 8 at home, 10 if you dont count the defeat to Donny in the LDV as I've no idea what type of team they put out that day.
Walsall have lost 7 of the last 9 on the road, goals 9-19, & only a 1-1 draw at Forest & a 2-1 win over Merthyr Tydfil in this competition stop it being a clean sweep.
Barnsley won the league fixture 2-1 in october.
It all looks Barnsley tbh & I'm not sure just under 3/1 tempts me at all on Walsall, even just going on the tenuous theory that in the cup form means nothing.
For Walsall, asI understand it, Matty Fryatt is injured...but the fact that the club has agreed terms with Leicester might mean more tbh, but he did pick up an injury before monday & missed that game, & him & Bennett seem to be going to finance players coming in. The strikers, if Fryatt goes, are a bit of a worry....one of the reasons that I counselled againsat backing Barnsley earlier in the week was that Jorge Leitao was playing his final game for Walsall before returning home to play for Beira Mar due to personal reasons...& he was given a rousing send off last saturday which left him in tears. He was injured on monday however & has already left, so that no longer applies. Ishmael Demontagnac, a great young prospect, mysteriously didnt play in the 3-0 away defeat to Bristol on monday which got tongues wagging but it appears he didnt know he was playing & was in bed WTF ?? Its been kept a bit quiet this so presumably its not all his own fault.....
Joe Murphy is again refused permission by Sunderland to play so Andy Oakes makes his return from a hand injury after 3 months out, & apparently hes been fit for 3 weeks.
Walsall give debuts to 3 new players (which sounds a lot to me) Mads Timms in midfield & hes on loan from Man Utd, Mike Leary from Luton who is a box to box midfielder & will try to fill the hole Eric Skora briefly filled, & Kev James, a winger from Forest who is 25 but has only made 31 starts & 39 subs in his career which I'm very suspicious of.
I could find nothing different on Barnsley from what soccernet have, but one of the main reasons I think that Walsall are in trouble here are the fans....Mersons done a radio interview tonight which basically made him sound a hero & the boards are mutinous about it. The fans arent happy that Fryatt appears to be on his way for just around £300k + add ons & the money from him & Bennett arent to be used on players, & it was promised Fryatt would stay until the summer. Its seen as Jeff Bonser just filling his pockets which, as an outsider who knows the club is £1million in debt, I can see his point although theres little doubt the blokes a bit of a n*b. Theres only loan players coming in & Paul Devlin is expected early next week.

I think Walsall could be in disarray here, & their away record doesnt seem to suggest great backbone at the best of times, but the fans feel that anybody with a less than glowing opinion on merse was allowed on the radio....& theyre intent on telling him tomorrow.

Barnsley 7.5/10

[kompressaur]

Komp http://www.cheltenhamtownfc.premium...,,10434,00.html

is it me or is these premium tv sites always wanting you to reg with them and it costs money? I cant use Premiumtv sites im afraid CG. Does anyhone wanna tell me how i go about it or do they have another? soz and thanks

[Computer Guy]

Im not registered but I can view the above.

[keemanan]

great stuff swoops , top quality.

I'm off Derby now too a bit although Burnley dont travel too well , maybe head2heads could reveal a clincher:

Season	Date	Home	Score	Away	Competition
2005/2006	Sat 27 Aug	Burnley	2 - 2	Derby County	Championship
2004/2005	Wed 23 Feb	Derby County	1 - 1	Burnley	Championship
	Fri 22 Oct	Burnley	0 - 2	Derby County	Championship
2003/2004	Sat 24 Apr	Burnley	1 - 0	Derby County	League Division One
	Sat 15 Nov	Derby County	2 - 0	Burnley	League Division One
2002/2003	Sat 22 Feb	Burnley	2 - 0	Derby County	League Division One
	Sat 07 Sep	Derby County	1 - 2	Burnley	League Division One

nope

from a Burnley message board

So, back to the present day, and Burnley and Derby are now on a more level playing field, occupying 8th and 18th places in the Championship respectively. Burnley will more than likely be without Gifton Noel-Williams as a result of his horrific eye injury sustained in defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Eve. Both Gifton's eyes are still virtually closed according to Cotterill and he is almost certain to miss this one. The only other injury problem is obviously Danny Coyne, out for the season. Lee Grant will also not be able to figure due to the terms of his loan deal from Derby. Derby have no injury worries, but will be without Middlesbrough loan duo Danny Graham and Andrew Davies as 'Boro will not allow the two youngsters to be cup tied for the remainder of the season

Although it's not the tie we wanted, here's hoping the Clarets can progress, or bring them back to the Turf at least and be rewarded with a money spinning tie in the fourth or latter rounds

no two ways about it , they dont fancy it.

Christ though , a wee trip to the derby rivals boards reveals that they hate the manager and board and think they are down , that's it fuk em ! No Derby for me now

read the pain here :
http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp...oid=2124325748

[kompressaur]

Looking at taking Brentford as mentioned by folks. I used to go watch Brentford and it was during their great cup run of '89 so maybe thats always influenced me. They done ok last year in the cup and their away form is good too

Football League One Chesterfield 1-3 Brentford 10-08-2005
Football League One Port Vale 1-0 Brentford 15-08-2005
English League Cup Cheltenham 5-0 Brentford 23-08-2005
Football League One Barnsley 1-1 Brentford 27-08-2005
Football League One Nottm Forest 1-2 Brentford 03-09-2005
Football League One Huddersfield 3-2 Brentford 17-09-2005
Football League One Walsall 0-0 Brentford 27-09-2005
Football League One Oldham 0-1 Brentford 09-10-2005
Football League One Blackpool 0-0 Brentford 22-10-2005
English FA Cup Rochdale 0-1 Brentford 05-11-2005
Football League One Hartlepool 1-2 Brentford 12-11-2005
Football League One Scunthorpe 1-3 Brentford 26-11-2005
English FA Cup Oldham 1-1 Brentford 03-12-2005
Football League One Tranmere 1-4 Brentford 17-12-2005
Football League One Bradford 3-3 Brentford 02-01-2006

not afraid to get stuck in. Reckon they'll be goals too. Lemme see Stockport at home.Caretaker manager at the mo etc

Football League Two Stockport 2-2 Mansfield 06-08-2005
Football League Two Stockport 1-1 Notts Co 20-08-2005
English League Cup Stockport 2-4 Sheff Wed 23-08-2005
Football League Two Stockport 1-1 Peterborough 29-08-2005
Football League Two Stockport 3-3 Wycombe 10-09-2005
Football League Two Stockport 0-0 Chester 24-09-2005
Football League Two Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient 08-10-2005
Football League Two Stockport 4-2 Northampton 22-10-2005
English FA Cup Stockport 2-0 Swansea 05-11-2005
Football League Two Stockport 1-1 Barnet 13-11-2005
Football League Two Stockport 0-1 Bristol R 06-12-2005
Football League Two Stockport 0-3 Darlington 10-12-2005
Football League Two Stockport 2-2 Cheltenham 02-01-2006

no bad. seemed to fall to bits after their win v swansea in the last round of the cup. Draws a worry. Hills and ladbrokes go 4/6 but theres 4/5 in betfred. Gonna see their bonus coupon. If i can get evens on them then i might just chance it