Third Round – 7 January 2012 - Preview

The first Saturday of the new year means third round cup day. This used to be a landmark in the season as the clubs in the top two tiers finally make their entrance. It should give fresh impetus to those teams out of the title race and create exciting opportunities for fans of the lesser teams to see up close and personal the best players in the country.

Alas those days are disappearing fast. Most Premiership and Championship clubs, and a worrying proportion of their fans, will see this weekend as an unwelcome distraction or diversion from the main business of European qualification, avoiding relegation or achieving that dream promotion. I use the term business advisedly: the ultimate aim for all but seven clubs is a sustainable mediocrity that keeps the TV money coming in. To achieve that, they will field reserve players galore and jeopardise potential glory in a competition that they actually have a chance of winning. They will also deny opposing fans their chance to see the stars.  

Rant over we turn to the state of the competition.  The North East lost Gateshead in round 2, but now Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough enter and all three are in fine form. Will they have the bottle to compete or will they just go through the motions?

Two of the three are at home:

Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers

Newcastle are already almost safe from relegation so must see the FA Cup as worthwhile having a go at. If they can beat Man U they should fear no-one. Blackburn however, despite also beating Man U, remain deep in the relegation mire, and will probably field the second team. Newcastle’s only problem may be over-confidence.

Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury

Middlesbrough were first out of the bag when the draw was made and the home tie against League 1 opposition is both a good opportunity to progress and a potential banana skin. Boro have not been as convincing at home as away, especially against sides they should be beating easily. So it could be close, but even if they cannot do the job at home, they should progress via any replay.