Most open FA Cup for years.....

[Goddy]

So, we're only at the 5th round of the cup but with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs gone and a few other all prem fixtures which will see the back of, for example, either Newcastle or Brighton, this seems like the most open FA Cup for quite a while. Even those of the, so-called Big 6 (the Manc clubs) seem vulnerable.

Anyhow, do you think we have a decent (even if outside) chance of not only progressing but maybe even making the final, perhaps even winning the thing? Who do you think might win it looking at the 5th round draw?

1. Preston North End v Burnley
2. Aston Villa v Cardiff City
3. Crystal Palace v Millwall
4. Manchester United v Fulham
5. Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
6. AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
7. Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle
8. Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town

[Roosterbooster]

I'd expect Villa, Palace and City to get through
As for the other 5 matches, toss a coin

[ArmchairDetective]

Realistically, it will probably be Villa or Brighton or Newcastle that get to the final to be beaten by the usual crowd that turn up for the day (City or United).

Optimistically, we'll win the thing

[Darnhill Claret]

I backed Forest and B'mouth before the third round, EW, so that's giving me a good run for my money, although I'm worried about Wolves this weekend. Some might say that Newcastle probably have a better chance than the League Cup. Villa will be more than hopeful. Unusually I think that the Manc clubs will be hoping to be drawn together in the quarters.

[Goddy]

I guess of all the teams left, they all seem beatable if they have a bad day (well, you know what I mean, more so than the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool seem beatable....even though a cr@p Man U and Plymouth beat those two, respectively)

[BradTee93]

There's definitely a great chance for us with how the draw panned out! That's why IMO we shouldn't play a weakened side & go for it on Saturday.

Win that, into the QF & one game off a Wembley appearance & semi final. With our defensive record, we shouldn't fear anyone

[ArmchairDetective]

It is more open without the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal etc. but some of those stronger PL sides this year will really fancy their chances of winning it. Looking at those fixtures there's a good chance we're the only remaining non PL team in the quarters. Really hoping we win on Saturday and get a decent draw in the quarters to have a chance of a trip to Wembley.

[Goliath]

It really is a big chance to go far. But needing to won basically every league game for the rest of the season makes it a really tricky balance for Parker

[Devils_Advocate]

Looking at the draw then unless we are really lucky if we get past Preston we are likely to face a team that will beat us 8 or 9 times out of 10 in the last 8. I think there's a chance we might get to the last 4 and Wembley which would be a brilliant achievement but thats about as far as we will go and even that is highly unlikely

[JohnMac]

Were we to progress past PNE a home tie would be like a miracle draw

[ClaretLoup]

It really is a big chance to go far. But needing to won basically every league game for the rest of the season makes it a really tricky balance for Parker

It’s not just Parker, I think the Chairman might point out that the prize money for winning to Preston tie is £225,000
whereas gaining promotion to the EPL is worth £100+ million. Expect a full back up team vs Preston.

[dsr]

It really is a big chance to go far. But needing to won basically every league game for the rest of the season makes it a really tricky balance for Parker

If we win every league game for the rest of the season we are certain to go up. Chances are Sheffield won't win every game apart from the one against us, so however many points they drop, we can drop as well. (depending to some extent on Sunderland.)

One day someone ought to do some research on the results between a team that played a game the previous midweek v a team that didn't. If we listen to the modern popular rumour, it would seem that the team that didn't play midweek would have a massive advantage. I bet, in practice, that's not true - it makes very little difference.

[Goliath]

It’s not just Parker, I think the Chairman might point out that the prize money for winning to Preston tie is £225,000
whereas gaining promotion to the EPL is worth £100+ million. Expect a full back up team vs Preston.

I doubt the chairman will be putting any pressure on Parker either way.

[Inchy]

If we beat Preston and then get a favourable draw then we might get a trip to Wembley. Apart from the top half prem teams I can’t see many scoring past us.

[Roosterbooster]

Were we to progress past PNE a home tie would be like a miracle draw

I think we have a better chance of winning the Champions League than getting a home draw

[jrgbfc]

We might even be able to give City a game this year! Man U are nothing to fear, and the likes of Newcastle, Forest, Bournemouth could all be distacted by going for the Champions league.

[tarkys_ears]

Anyone else find it "interesting" that the "big clubs" are all at home... funny how City didn't end up going down to Plymouth isn't it.

[She]

After this round if we beat Preston our interest will cease in this competition and we can concentrate on what matters finishing in the top two we don't want this becoming a distraction from our ultimate target this season

[ArmchairDetective]

After this round if we beat Preston our interest will cease in this competition and we can concentrate on what matters finishing in the top two we don't want this becoming a distraction from our ultimate target this season

I hope not. I want to see us win a cup.

[dsr]

After this round if we beat Preston our interest will cease in this competition and we can concentrate on what matters finishing in the top two we don't want this becoming a distraction from our ultimate target this season

Perhaps you celebrated Tottenham's late goals in 2010, because it spared us the distraction of a League Cup final?

[Dyched]

If we’re not there. A Villa vs Forest would be a pretty fitting end to the season that they’re having. Would be a great watch as well.

[mikeS]

Many of the over 60s on here will remember our cup journey in 1974.
There's a good chance for us to progress to that stage for the first time in over 50 years.
I for one hope we can make it.

[claretburns]

1. Preston North End v Burnley
2. Aston Villa v Cardiff City
3. Crystal Palace v Millwall
4. Manchester United v Fulham
5. Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
6. AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
7. Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle
8. Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town

Preston 0-2 Burnley
Aston Villa 3-1 Cardiff
Crystal Palace 2-0 Millwall
Man Utd 1-2 Fulham
Newcastle 1-1 Brighton (Brighton on pens)
Bournemouth 2-0 Wolves
Man City 5-0 Plymouth
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Ipswich

Quarter Final Draw:
Brighton v Man City
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Fulham v Burnley
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest

[JohnMac]

Fulham, Palace, Bournemouth and Forest have all got ambitions of winning but hey ho, it'll be another drab affair with Man City salvaging something from their season.

[Paul Waine]

11 premier league teams in 5th round and 5 championship teams. 4 premier league teams are guaranteed to be knocked out, but which 4? If Burnley beat Preston, then best draw will be Ipswich, if Ipswich can beat Forest. Next best Wolves, if Wolves can beat Bournemouth. However, another cup visit to Bournemouth, just like 2 seasons ago, would be fun.

UTC

[summitclaret]

The easiest QF from those expected to be in it would be Manure.

[Down_Rover]

Getting to the semi final would be a good dress rehearsal for the play off final

[timshorts]

Did Leeds get a bye to the 6th round or have they already won it?

[BleedingClaret]

So, we're only at the 5th round of the cup but with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs gone and a few other all prem fixtures which will see the back of, for example, either Newcastle or Brighton, this seems like the most open FA Cup for quite a while. Even those of the, so-called Big 6 (the Manc clubs) seem vulnerable.

Anyhow, do you think we have a decent (even if outside) chance of not only progressing but maybe even making the final, perhaps even winning the thing? Who do you think might win it looking at the 5th round draw?

1. Preston North End v Burnley
2. Aston Villa v Cardiff City
3. Crystal Palace v Millwall
4. Manchester United v Fulham
5. Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
6. AFC Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
7. Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle
8. Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town

Be us and 7 premier League teams in the QF’s

[jrgbfc]

Palace could have a decent shout if they keep people fit. On a great run and safely in mid table. Hopefully somebody other than City.

[billyhamilton82]

Did Leeds get a bye to the 6th round or have they already won it?

Yes, they've already won it.

They've also already won the Champoinship.

Watching Blades Ramble I have alos been informed that Sheffield United have also proclaimed themselves as runners up following a 30 minute performance against the "supposed" best team and Champions of the league.

Supposedly the top two played on Monday night and are by far the best two teams in the league.

Burnley are boring an didn't attack Leeds like Sheff did which proves they are a better team. (Even though they lost and we got a point)

At least it takes the stress out of the situation and we have been pre-informed.

BTW Blades Ramble is usually a very good watch

[IanMcL]

Que Sera Sera

See you all there.

[dibraidio]

The winner and runner up from the last two finals are still in it. Admittedly they're both some way off their best form but they're still a real challenge for most of the other teams in there.

If you look through the finalists since 1991 one or two of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs were in every final with the exception of 2008 when Portsmouth beat Cardiff City in the final. Only four other teams have made the final in the last 10 years.

Palace last played in the final in 1990, Forest in 1991 against Spurs. Newcastle(98,99), Millwall (2004) and Villa (2000,2015) have all been in finals too during that period.

Fulham last featured in the final in 1975. Ipswich in 1978. Brighton 1983. Preston 1964. Burnley 1962. Wolves 1960.

From the last 16 there are only Bournemouth and Plymouth who've never made it to the final.

I'm not sure if it's any more open than usual but there's a good chance that Preston or Burnley will be the only non Premier League club in the next round.

[bigdavethemaddog]

beat PNE then get a lucky draw home v Palce/Bournemoth or Wolves then who knows - look at Coventry last season