Well, I wanted a lower league side, preferably away from home, in the third round of the FA Cup, to remind us of how we used to live for many years. I have fond memories of many smaller, tighter, colder and generally more 'traditional' grounds while following the Tigers around the country in the lowest divisions.
With that in mind, we got Newcastle United at home.
Hmmm. Well, it's almost the complete opposite of what I wished for, but at least it's winnable without representing embarrassment if it ends in defeat. Phil Brown, with his South Shields routes and his inbred dislike of Newcastle United, may just field a strong XI on January 2nd (for it will be the Saturday - don't think for a moment we're going to get telly for this one).
A lower division side at home presents real banana skin potential, especially as Brown habitually chucks on the stiffs for such matches. However, this is a different type of tie, and he will almost certainly not pick Nathan Doyle, Ryan France, Wayne Brown, Bryan Hughes and Nicky Featherstone for the visit of Newcastle, though some of the current Premier League subs - Peter Halmosi, Bernard Mendy and maybe Matt Duke - may get a go, and with his chairman's known desire for a return to Wembley, maybe this is the hard-but-acceptable Cup tie the manager needs to make a real go of the competition.
The recent history between the two clubs will add some extra spice, of course. Craig Fagan is back in full training and may be ready for reconsideration by the time we play Liverpool on December 13th, so all being well he'll be ready to line up opposite that hooligan Danny Guthrie all over again. Retribution is not a virtue, but Fagan nonetheless will be keen, if picked, to make sure Guthrie, if picked, is the one leaving the game angry and feeling sorry for himself.
City have only beaten Newcastle United in the FA Cup once, but that presents its own omen as it was back in 1930, when the Tigers went all the way to the semi-finals, a run which still represents the furthest in the club's history. A defeat of the same club at the third round stage might put a few extra stars in Phil Brown's eyes, and those of us who have always loved the FA Cup will hope they remain there until May.
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