"Mancini might come from the land of the Borgias and Machiavelli,'' began Holloway with trademark gusto, "but I bet even he is surprised by the haste of some people in this country to knife him in the back.''
Chelsea must wait to find out whether they travel to Southend United or, rather close to home, Brentford. Chelsea's 1913 win over Southend included a penalty from one of the legends of the game, Vivian Woodward, one of England's finest forwards, architect, farmer and Essex 2nd XI cricketer. Chelsea's journey to the 1950 semi-final began with a third-round success at Brentford.
Sheffield United's striker, Dave Kitson, made some critical comments about the Cup during his time at their fourth-round opponents Reading. "I do not care less about it, to be honest,'' he remarked in 2008, pointing out that it was all about "league status" for Reading. Kitson's comments sparked a debate about the future of the Cup.
Sam Allardyce's West Ham and Manchester United must replay for the right to host either Fulham or Blackpool. Allardyce still talks with bemusement over why his managerial tenure at Blackpool ended controversially in 1996 when he was dismissed by the owner, Owen Oyston, who was in prison at the time.
Leeds and Birmingham must replay to see who gets the attractive, money-spinning visit of Spurs. Brighton await the winners of Swansea and Arsenal in what should be a fourth-round tie for TV and the purists.
Derby and Blackburn, who have been playing each other in the Cup since 1892, meet at Pride Park, having drawn 1-1 earlier in the Championship season.
FA Cup fourth round draw:
- Norwich City v Luton Town
- Oldham Athletic v Liverpool
- Macclesfield Town v Wigan Athletic or Bournemouth
- Derby County v Blackburn Rovers
- Hull City or Leyton Orient v Barnsley
- Middlesbrough v Aldershot
- Millwall v Aston Villa
- Leeds United or Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur
- Brighton and Hove Albion v Swansea City or Arsenal
- Crystal Palace or Stoke City v Manchester City
- West Ham United or Manchester United v Fulham or Blackpool
- Southend United or Brentford v Chelsea
- Reading v Sheffield United
- Huddersfield Town v Leicester City
- Queens Park Rangers or West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday or MK Dons
- Bolton or Sunderland v Cheltenham or Everton
Ties to be played on the weekend of Jan 26-27.
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