Buzzin Championship Football

It’s nice to see some signs of life from Championship teams in the FA Cup: the last couple of seasons have been a disappointment, but with eight teams definitely through, one of the replays guaranteeing another place, six potential qualifiers from the other replays and a reasonable fourth round draw

Brighton were the only team to beat a Premier League side (Newcastle again) and Crystal Palace, Blackpool and Bolton face replays against Premier League opposition. The latter pair took the lead in their respective ties, but Bolton managed to blow a two goal lead against Sunderland at the Reebok Stadium and have probably lost the best chance of qualifying for the fourth round.

The biggest shocks in the round involved Championship teams: Wolves and Cardiff lost at Luton and Macclesfield. Stale Solbakken was sacked immediately after Wolves’ defeat: Wanderers had fielded a full strength team (presumably in an attempt to salvage a season which was going nowhere) but I always get the impression that Luton are the Cardiff of the Conference. As I posted at the weekend, Malky McKay chose a young and largely inexperienced side for Cardiff’s game at Macclesfield. At the risk of sounding cynical, it’s obvious what the priorities are for the Welsh club.

Managerless Nottingham Forest’s home defeat at the hands of Oldham was somewhat overshadowed by Wolves and Cardiff falling at the first hurdle, but the visitors scored three of the first four goals at the City Ground (Forest took the lead thanks to a Matt Smith own goal – no, not the Matt Smith that regularly saves the universe) and only a last minute consolation goal from Billy Sharp made the scoreline look respectable.

The fourth round draw looks favourable for Championship teams:  two guaranteed fifth round spots with a third possible if Hull beat Leyton Orient. Middlesbrough should fancy their chances against Aldershot and if Bradford City can beat Aston Villa, then Millwall ought to be able to do the same. There could be some high profile ties for clubs involved in replays but I’ll mention them if and when they come up.