To say I am excited for possibly our biggest occasion in the F.A Cup since our big day in Cardiff on the 13th May 2006 is an understatement.
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The critics that say that the F.A Cup has lost its shine, which in turn is then followed up by the cynics, who say that the big clubs don’t care about the competition and lay out squad rotation players after the busy festive period. I cannot try and argue that squad rotation players are played for the ‘low-key’ ties, for example Manchester City’s tie with Watford, and Blackpool’s visit to Fulham. Ties for example where the spotlight of the cup will be low and the managers of each side has other more important agenda to attend to. Having said that, there will be nothing ‘low-key’ about the cup’s tie of the round. Obviously, I cannot speak for every West Ham supporter, but are we not all waiting with high expectation for this weekend? I am certainly feeling the cup fever.
The pessimistic mist of recent years that hung over Upton Park has ceased. Optimistic feelings and brighter times are potentially on the horizon. Since the start of the season that began with Gianfranco Zola’s first full season in charge of the club, there hasn’t been much to cheer at Upton Park. The impending doom of another setback has left us; my father said to me during the Norwich City game, ‘It makes you feel good’. He was referring to the safety of the leadership of Sam Allardyce, the fact that we can start to look at whom we can catch, not who can catch us. For once the mid table safety of the Premier League is becoming a formality with every point that we gain. The optimism can continue this weekend.
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I feel the cup fever now because we can have the freedom of a cup run, the freedom of taking on the big clubs and having a go at them. Manchester United don’t like coming to Upton Park. Ever since they couldn’t win the title at Upton Park many years ago, the Boleyn has brought nothing but trouble for the Red Devils. Alan Curbishley beat them 3 times as manager, twice at home, once at Old Trafford where Carlos Tevez scored his last goal for the club. Even an Avram Grant side beat them at home, 4-0 in the League Cup. Only a Wayne Rooney inspired comeback stopped us from winning at home in the League that season. Though who could forget that Paolo Di Canio goal where he beat the offside trap at Old Trafford almost 12 years ago to knock United out of the cup in the fourth round.
Cup fever is a great feeling; it’s a feeling that anything can happen. The playing field is level. The third round of the FA cup is something special. I am a true believer in the phrase, ‘You can’t help but be romantic about the game.’ Its part of what we all fell in love with. Football is a game, but on the occasion that can spur the spirit of the underdogs that is something to be romantic about. In 2006 we went on a cup run that I’ll never forget, every one has their memories of the day. Whether they are positive or the unfortunate negative memory of that May Day, we together must channel those memories to gather the spirit of 2006. Manchester United will be a hard team to beat, they are top of the league, but we have a very realistic chance of getting the better of the Manchester side.
