County and Bluebirds plot FA Cup giant-killing heroics
THE world’s grandest competition could see two of its greatest shocks on Welsh soil this weekend with the dreamers of Newport County and Cardiff City ready to seize a place in FA Cup folklore.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – described as the ‘best team on the planet’ by wily, veteran boss Neil Warnock – take on Cardiff tomorrow, with the Bluebirds’ fans fantasising about adding another chapter to the club’s list of giant-killings, including memorable triumphs over Leeds in 2002 and the Nathan Blakeinspired win over the a very different Man City in 1994.
And at Newport, Mike Flynn’s Exiles are ready to tap into the passion of a 10,000 sell-out Rodney Parade to shock Tottenham Hotspur.
Swansea City are also in action, heading to League Two leaders Notts County, aiming to avoid being the victims of an upset.
Never before have three Welsh clubs made the fifth round together, and only once since 1927 – the year Cardiff won the cup and Swansea reached the quarterfinals – have two reached the last 16.
Warnock was in relaxed mood yesterday, suggesting, with tongue-in-cheek, that his side had been training without a ball “to practice chasing shadows”.
But he also warned Guardiola’s men his Bluebirds will be a threat come the televised clash at Cardiff City Stadium, which could see the biggest Bluebirds home gate in 40 years.
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has vowed not to under-estimate Newport, insisting he has prepared his players the same as if they were facing Real Madrid.
County chief and local hero Flynn believes his side are full of belief.
He said: “If any player thinks that we can’t win on Saturday then they’ll probably be sat next to me or up in the stand. We’ve got to believe we can go and cause an upset and the atmosphere and surroundings will help us.”
Newport, who have installed temporary stands at Rodney Parade, are expected to bank as much as £500,000 from their run to the fourth round.
And Flynn added: “I think that we could get a generation of fans back now. I think we lost them when we went out of business, and now it’s really captured the imagination of the whole city.”
Elsewhere, Wrexham are set for a bumper gate for the visit of Tranmere to The Racecourse as they continue their bid to return to the Football League.
FA Cup countdown: Pages 53-55