Author Archives: SimonWebb

Is it the next round already? Sheffield United have played two league fixtures between the third and fourth round of the FA Cup. Headlines were made with their first league victory of the season over Newcastle, building on the positive boost which will have come from their win at Bristol Rovers. There was a considerableContinue reading “Sheffield United Look to the Cup For More Positivity”

Sheffield United’s prize for beating Bristol Rovers is another team from way out west, Plymouth. My own cup run via Swindon, then Bristol has gone as far in that direction as is possible. In a season of unusual situations, Monday night’s draw added another to the long list. Chris Wilder knows that, if his teamContinue reading “Blades See Path to Quarter Final as Chorley Star Secures Place at Wembley”

July 11th 2020. Sheffield United comfortably beat Chelsea at home 3-nil. The BBC Sport report talked of this victory “continuing their push for European qualification as they moved into the Premier League’s top six”. Since then, the Blades have won a total of zero matches, a run lasting almost six months. January 9th 2021, BristolContinue reading “Sheffield United Finally Win but How Big a Moment Is It?”

When the draw for the third round of the FA Cup was made the pairing of struggling Bristol Rovers with struggling Sheffield United did not leap out as one of the ties of the round, despite seeing a Premier League team travel to face opposition from two divisions below. Unsurprisingly the TV selectors looked elsewhereContinue reading “Bristol Rovers v Sheffield United: Who is the Favourite Here?”

Tradition. One of the first words which comes to mind when I think of the FA Cup and specifically, the third round weekend. For football fans, especially those who support a lower league team drawn to face a giant, this moment is the perfect antidote to any January gloom. And January 2021 is doing gloomContinue reading “Covid Causing Cup Confusion”

And who do you want in the next round? A question asked by Sports Report presenters down the years to a full time dustman, part time centre forward who has just scored the winning goal that allows him to dream of running out at Anfield or Old Trafford. For the working man turn terrace heroContinue reading “Who Do, or Don’t I Want in the Third Round?”

Twenty-five minutes in and Darlington were the better team. Half an hour of football later and they were six-nil behind. Sometimes the FA Cup is merciless. This is a moment where not having your own supporters in the ground must be especially tough. It’s been an excellent cup run for Darlington but the extent ofContinue reading “Dream Over for Darlo”

It’s four weeks since Darlington caused one of the upsets of the first round, beating League 1 Swindon away from home. In this congested season a gap this size feels huge. For the first time it gives me, a casual observer of teams I don’t usually follow, the chance to get a sense of form.Continue reading “Can Darlo Cause More West Country Woe?”

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel” A phrase we’re hearing a lot at the moment, and at last it’s optimism based on genuine evidence. Vaccine developments in the last few weeks have happened at a rate many of us daren’t dream of. I’m reading analysis which suggests work has been done in tenContinue reading “With Fans Allowed Back in Tier2, a Cup Run and Home Matches is Even more Important”

Standing between Darlington and the third round of the FA Cup, with all the possibilities which come with that, is Bristol Rovers. Like Swindon their League 1 form has been unsatisfying so far this season, but unlike Town, Darlington will face a side with a new manager in charge rather than one who’d just lostContinue reading “More Manager Movement in League 1”