Cup Tie a Banana Skin for Southampton
Friday, 12th Dec 2014 06:00

Boss Mick McCarthy says he would rather have drawn a Premier League side such as Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup rather than risk a banana skin tie against lower league opposition.

The Blues are set to face the Saints, who are currently fifth in the top flight, at St Mary’s on Sunday 4th January unless the game is moved for TV coverage.

“I’m pleased with it,” McCarthy said of the tie. “It would have been nicer if it had been Southampton here or another Premier League team at Portman Road.

“I didn’t want Accrington Stanley, for example. I didn’t want a team where you’re on a nice run like we’re on where we’re playing well and then that horrible banana skin is just waiting for you there.

“No, I think that Southampton have got the banana skin. They’ve been flying, they got a Championship team who are doing OK and it’s a test for them, as it is us, of course.

“I just didn’t want one of those horrible FA Cup draws that everybody else loves, that the FA Cup loves, that the BBC loves. One of those where they think there’s going to be a shock. If there’s going to be a shock it’s going to be us that beats Southampton.”

Photo: Action Images

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whittonite added 06:24 - Dec 12 i think the game against the saints is a good game for us win or loose.this is a great chance for us to measure ourselves against proper premiership opposition.obviously i'd want us to win if we dont we still need to show that we can give anyone a game.looking forward to it. COYB
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whittonite added 06:24 - Dec 12 i think the game against the saints is a good game for us win or loose.this is a great chance for us to measure ourselves against proper premiership opposition.obviously i'd want us to win if we dont we still need to show that we can give anyone a game.looking forward to it. COYB
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Paulblue62 added 09:42 - Dec 12 Agree with whittonite. Win and we know we are well equipped for the PL next season. Lose and we can concentrate on the league. Think it will be 1-1 down there and we win the replay 2-1.
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Kieron_FJ added 10:28 - Dec 12 I know some ITFC fans may be downhearted at this, but I doubt the saints fans are exactly over the moon either. Ideally we can win this, but the league is the main priority. Next season we may even be playing them in the league rather than the cup! COYB!!
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