Manchester Utd v Newcastle Utd Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers

Just to raise the pre-draw tension another notch. We are ball number 4.

The Guardian is reporting that Dickov is definitely out of Wednesday's game at Liverpool because of the groin problem. On Rovers World, Dickov said he has a muscle tear which needs about six weeks' rest to heal and that he does not need surgery.

Last year, I think they were priced between £35 and £55. The link I posted on the thread about ticket prices for the 6th Round- if you are moaning, wait for the semis!- has disappeared from the FA web site. Given the very democratic way the proceeds are divided, I would imagine the other three semi-finalists are a bit concerned by our small support.

Great preview Colin. I'd go with that line-up jbn. Do we know if Savage might be fit?- if he is we might stand a chance of a draw. If we have to rely on Flitty again, Liverpool will win 1-0.

Having watched the incident on the link kindly suggested by rover 6 as well as the multiple replays on Sky, have to say it was a penalty all ends up. In fact MGP is fouled from behind as he's going to the by-line and impeded again as he gets the ball away with the only iffy bit being the way he obviously goes down over Kenton coming back from the by-line. But even at that point it isn't a matter of MGP simply needing to hurdle a prostrate Kenton to get to a ball he would still have been in full control of as Kenton was still clearly trying to stop him. The linesman had a perfect view of the fouls if you watch it from the camera behind the goal. At the time of the incident, I felt it was a nailed on penalty but didn't expect it to be given because Barry had not penalised two previous incidents. A pretty obvious (if cleverly executed) pull back on Lucas Neill was not given nor a hand ball on the edge of the area. It was ball to hand but hardly involuntary given the ball travelled at least ten yards to reach the hand and was conveniently diverted out of the area to the clearing boot of a Leicester player. I have seen those sorts of incidents given as penalties in other games. It was great to see the ref point to the spot. Obviously rover6 has fallen out of love with MGP now the rest of us are pretty happy with him. As for Gilbert the Filbert, he knows very little about current premiership footballers but boy did I feel hungry after reading that piece!

A pretty fair Leicester view of the game.

Great away win for the Rovers players. Leicester's support totally dominated the Sky coverage I was watching- lots of "###### ground no fans" coming through loud and clear and I doubt the Blackburn End were singing that. To the game- in truth, Rovers' goal was never really threatened by Leicester- two horrible Neill passes in the first half set up their only chances, both off target. They had one Dublin header and a near post out-numbered scramble in the second half and that was it. We would have won so comfortably had the balls out of defence been better. I thought Flitcroft was pretty poor and Gamst and Tommo less convincing than against Everton. The main thing is we are into the Semi-Final. Astonishing stuff after so many years of waiting!

A very interesting summary of the round from the Observer. I think he is correct- I had expected at least four titanic classic games amongst the sixteen when the draw came out but in the event only Stamford Bridge produced the goods.

I couldn't find the Brum "we are a big club" thread so this is as good a place as any to post this snippet: Liverpool are ready to make a £5m bid for Birmingham's Matthew Upson, who is reported to be keen on a move to a bigger club to boost his England chances (Mirror).

I don't know what you were on MattyM but I was there at Wembley that day and it was a remarkably comfortable win for the Rovers with very few alarms in our penalty area.- for which I was very grateful as I don't think my nerves could have stood yet another play-off reverse.

So that's what happened to the dingles they found when repairing the Darwen End loos.

A lengthy preview from Squarefootball. Take a bow Paul.

Away wins for Leicester at Reading and Charlton make them look very handy opponents. We have never beaten Leicester in the FA Cup. I remain very apprehensive about this game. I have a feeling there is going to be an upset. Moore is a more than useful acquisition for the Foxes. On a happier note, Dickov dreaming in the Independent. Dickov Fox hunting in the Guardian

Gordon Strachan bemoans the results. As always he makes some very good points. Premiership results were a mixed bag but in the Italy v Spain confrontations, Italy seems well on top. End for the galacticos? Real face the problems- maybe? What has gone unnoticed in the focus on Owen's bench warming has been Gravesen being close to an ever-present starter and finisher of games for Real since he moved from Everton.

AESF- excellent post. The link between long ball in Div 1 and bannishment from Europe is a very good one- it was also the time that the likes of Brighton, Oxford, Watford, Luton, Wimbledon, Notts County and Oldham all graced the top division with greater or lesser distinction. One problem though- Chelsea have publicly stated they do not want to join the G14. Presumably because Abramovich is the G1. Sheppard of course is the G1t.

Colin Hendry has said he wants to take Ciaran Donnelly back on loan at Blackpool. The relegation battle at the bottom of the Coca Cola can is hotting up. The Gills have had some good wins and Forest are on a real charge. Our opponents on Sunday probably see the loaning of Douglas and McEveley to the Gills as the start of hostilities! The dingles won't be too happy either.

Don't try walking on the beach in Iceland without a stick when the great skuas are nesting. The trick is to hold the stick above your head like an umbrella and they attack the top of the stick. Forget the stick and they are capable of breaking your skull on one of their fly pasts.

It wasn't nice but it seems that Mourinho knew exactly what he was doing in out psyching Barcelona in the Champions League. Interesting quote from him to the effect that he built a side this season designed to win the Premiership. His best side will be in three year's time. Even so, with Robben back, I would say Chelsea would be evens to beat AC Milan or Juventus. They probably have too much for any of the other clubs left in the Champions League. Chelsea's transfer moves this summer will be interesting to say the least. Will he continue his policy of January of picking up a relatively unknown with massive potential or will he go for Gerard and Ronaldinho for a combined £100m? I wonder if he is entirely satisfied with Drogba? Outgoings will be tricky as virtually no other club can afford the wages Chelsea pay.

Thanks. An interesting perspective on RFW's future. Glad to see Martin O'Neill is leading in the betting to replace him.

The Spanish sides are out and Arsenal paid for their horror in Munich. More defending like that when Arsenal come to Ewood would be much appreciated. Liverpool have surprised a lot of people- don't think anybody would have thought they would have romped to a 6-2 aggregate win. Then again Lyons were going through a run of defeats in the Championat when they suddenly stuck 7 past Bremen. I wonder if a German side has conceded 7 in Europe since Eintrach Frankfurt did in Glasgow when Real Madrid won the 1960 Final 7-3? Anyone know when the second leg of Inter v Porto is? Pesky Italians who cannot build enough stadia.

Rovers to flop big time in front of the cameras and empty seats. 0-0 if we are lucky.

A significant part of the UEFA ranking co-efficient derives from the performance of the League's clubs in European competition. So Rovers benefitted by being seeded in the UEFA Cup and drawing some nice easy to beat opposition from Ankara..... Back to tonight, PSV are winning so as good as through and Liverpool have scored a quick brace in Neverkusen. If Arsenal ever get going, could be a bleak night for the Bundesleague.

Three fabulous games last night- especially at Stamford Bridge which was football as close to being as good as it gets. Would that game have been as good or as special had it been a European super league encounter as opposed to a knock out? Very much doubt it. My gut feel is that the club competition balance is about right at the moment except for FIFA/Sven getting in the way. Other than games in London where every club has its own away following (including 9,000 "from" Barcelona last night who shared about 1,500 airline seats between them) a Euro Super League would be a sterile TV concoction and largely devoid of away following. The aspect which is killing the domestic game is the predatory transfer policies of the "big clubs". The last thing they want is for middle ranking clubs to come through and damage their hold on the £15m a year Champions League gravy train. Hence, clubs that are threats are raided of their talent- Duff from Rovers, Parker from Charlton, Rooney/Gravesen from Everton and this summer Gerard from Liverpool. It is this aspect as much as the financial divide that is ruining the modern game.

Chelsea 4-2 Terry from a Duff corner. Have to hold on for 15 minutes. The Mancs have missed their chances and are going out.