2014/15
That's right, I can't believe this thing is five years old either!
But like a Luis Suarez ban, we're back and better than ever!
Before I start, a couple of media recommendations for the football fans out there:
1. If you haven't caught it, check out Roger Bennett's (Men in Blazers) "The Southampton Way", an hour long look into their philosophy and success on on and off the field. The coolest part is the list of guys that have come through their youth academy (Bale, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain just to name a few). Here's the link to watch online (I'm sure it will be shown again on NBCSN): http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/02/video-watch-the-southampton-way-documentary-in-full/
2. Also, I just started a great book on the history of Premier League soccer in England. The Game of Our Lives by David Goldblatt is tremendous so far, as much a book about history as it is about football. He also wrote the thorough The Ball is Round: A Global History of Soccer. That one will take you a bit longer.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-Our-Lives-English/dp/1568585063
Ok, on to the football. Just a reminder that this year's FA Cup started back in mid-August with 736 teams, and with the start of the Third Round Proper we have just 64 teams remaining. Also remember that English Football has about 24 levels (leagues) of football, so whoever is left at this point is the best of the best.
Third Round Proper (games to be played this weekend, Jan 3-6).
- This round marks the entry of all the EPL teams (20 teams) and all Championship teams come in (24 teams)
- With 32 matches scheduled this weekend (and Tuesday), we have 64 teams left
- The breakdown by league:
EPL 20
Championship 24
League One 11
League Two 4
Conference Premier 4
Northern Premier League 1 (!!!!!!!!)
- We have four all EPL match ups (Leicester/Newcastle, Burnley/Tottenham, Arsenal/Hull, and Everton/West Ham)
- Even better, we have an all League Two matchup (Cambridge United/Luton Town) ensuring at least one League Two team in the Fourth Round!
- JD's Upset Special pick: Sheffield United (League One) over QPR (EPL)
- Minnows: While we have four Conference Premier Teams remaining (Gateshead, Southport, Dover Athletic, and Wrexham), which are all very minnow worthy on their own, we need to focus here on Blythe Spartans (8th in the Northern Premier League), who host Birmingham City (14th in the Championship). Spartans have a long history of crashing these rounds of the Cup, so pay attention and pull hard for them.
- Name(s) of the Round: I love me some Rovers (Blackpool, Doncaster, and Tranmere) and Wanderers (Wolverhampton and Bolton)
- As for our teams:
Newcastle travel to Leicester
Arsenal host Hull
Liverpool travel to AFC Wimbledon (this one could be interesting!)
Sunderland host Leeds United
Everton host West Brom
Best to all, Happy New Years, and may Steven Gerrard be coming to your local MLS team!
2013/14
Ha! Just like the USPS, neither ice, snow, or below freezing temps can delay the Fourth Annual FACPENUT (FA CupPreview Email Newsletter Update Thingy)!
While the Third Round Draw took place awhile back, the matches actually take place this weekend, so it seemed like the right time.
Round Three (matches to be played Jan 4/5)
- Once again, the Third Round marks the entry of the EPL teams (20 teams)
- Round Three is also when the Championship teams come in (24 teams)
- With 33 matches scheduled this weekend (and Tuesday), we have 65 teams left
- Just one Second Round replay left (to be played Saturday), FACPENUT favorites Crawley Town host Bristol Rovers (not to be confused with Blackburn Rovers or Bristol City) with the winner to travel to Birmingham Tuesday
- The breakdown by league:
EPL 20
Championship 24
League One 12
League Two 6
Conference Premier 3
- We have four all EPL match ups (Norwich/Fulham, West Brom/Crystal Palace, Newcastle/Cardiff City, Man U/Swansea and the big one Arsenal/Tottenham)
- jd's Upset Special pick: Burnley (Championship) over Southampton (EPL)
- Minnows: Macclesfield (Conference Premier) face Sheffield Wed (Championship)
- Name of the Round: Kidderminster Harriers
- As for our teams:
Newcastle host Cardiff City
Arsenal host Tottenham in a FA Cup Special Derby!
Liverpool host Oldham (who beat them in the fourth round last year!)
Sunderland host Carlisle
Everton host QPR (playing well in Championship)
Best to all, Happy New Years, and may all your substitutions be fruitful!
2012-13
Bigger than the news of a royal baby is the FA Cup third round draw!
And even bigger than that is jd's FA Cup Preview email newsletter/update thingy!
I know you have all been waiting on the edge of your seats. A couple of announcements before we commence:
- This marks year three of the FACPENUT
- For the first time this year, we will be previewing the Third Round (previous editions have begun with recaps after Round Three)...at no added cost!
- I have added a couple of fanatics to the list, so by way of supported team, here are the introductions:
Pete G- Newcastle
Bogel - Arsenal
Pohlman - Liverpool (Boo!)
Matt - Sunderland
Durk - Everton (yea!)
Pete B - Tottenham
We are nearing a starting XI...on to the football.
Before we get to the Round Three preview, there was a crazy matchup in Round Two between MK Dons and AFC Wimbeldon. The story is a bit complicated, but basically it's kind of like the Colts and Ravens playing in the playoffs, or maybe the Colts and Browns. Whatever. Read this article: http://www.sfgate.com/sports/
Round Three (matches to be played Jan 5/6)
- As we all know, the Third Round marks the entry of the EPL teams (20 teams), so until the weekend of Jan 5/6, we all have hope!
- Round Three is also when the Championship teams come in (24 teams)
- As of today, we have 72 teams left (8 replays scheduled for this week)
- The breakdown by league:
EPL 20
Championship 24
League One 12
League Two 8
Conference National 6
Conference North/South 1
Isthmian League 1
- We have four all EPL matchups (Swansea/Arsenal, West Ham/Man U, QPR/West Brom, and Southampton/Chelsea)
- jd's Upset Special pick: Crawley Town (League One) over Reading (newly promoted EPL)
- Minnows of the round - Harrogate (Conference North - tier 6) vs. Hastings AFC (Isthmian League - tier 7) in a Round Two replay, with the winners to face Middlesborough in Round Three
- As for our teams:
Newcastle are at Brighton, Hove, and Albion (that's just one team Pete - Championship side)
Arsenal are at Swansea (given the Gunners recent troubles, Bogel's run may be short lived)
(Being) Liverpool are at either Lincoln City or Mansfield (both 5th tier teams, shouldn't be a problem...reverse jinx, reverse jinx!)
Sunderland are at Bolton Wanderers (yikes! Tough draw for the Black Cats, Bolton are playing very well in the Championship)
Tottenham host Coventry City (third tier)
Everton are away to the winner of Cheltenham Town/Hereford United (4th and 5th tier respectively)
Hope everyone is well and enjoy the upcoming matches. Here's to no frozen pitches and may all your shots that hit the posts go in (except for you Pohlman).
Have a Merry Boxing Day!
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