Are you up for the Cup?

A second consecutive away victory against rival playoff contenders would for most sides be an ideal preparation going into a fourth round FA Cup tie against top Premiership opposition.  The problem is it’s only the second time this season that town have managed two away victories on the trot and three on the bounce is rarer than lips on a chicken.  Can anyone remember the last time? (Answers on a post card please) so statistically any sort of result at Stamford Bridge looks unlikely to be a pleasing one for the 6000 travelling Town fans.

On Saturday though its time for a day out without the usual baggage.  ‘Must win’ games are not generally associated with Cup ties especially against highly elevated opposition.  If Town manage to limit their illustrious opponents to a low scoring victory on Saturday the players will undoubtedly at the end of the game walk towards the appreciative ranks of Town fans and applaud their support.  The gesture would be more than likely reciprocated.

The same result at ‘The Oakwell’ next Tuesday evening though would definitely not prompt the same reaction from either party.  If given the choice between a famous victory at ‘The Bridge’ or three points at Barnsley on a cold January night, the heart screams out for the short term fix of being in the fifth round draw and the media hype of knocking out the capitals finest.

The head however, after waking up from the post match hangover should look on a point’s accumulation towards a still remotely alive push for a playoff place as a priority.  Victory in both fixtures would be the ideal, four consecutive away wins? (Answers on the back of a postage stamp).

I’m going to enjoy my outing on Saturday regardless and to the rest of you Town fans ‘privileged’ enough to have a ticket don’t waste the day with negative chants or ‘anti Jim’ banners.  Let’s let them know we are a Premiership side in the waiting and give them a taste of what to expect when we get there.

On the subject of tickets and privileges.  There are a lot of disappointed and disillusioned Town fans who could not get tickets for Saturday’s game.  While having sympathy for any ‘True Blue’ that has missed out on the visit to Chelsea commitment at an early stage via purchase of a gold club card at the same time as your season ticket would have secured your seat at Stamford Bridge.

The twenty five pounds saving made has now almost doubled by the twenty four pounds saved on the ticket you are now not able to purchase!

There has to be criteria for distribution where supply is exceeded by demand and in the financially driven industry that our beloved game has now become, its money up front that reaps the interest of big match tickets later in the season.

It would be difficult at the moment to make an argument for a fairer system with any substance.

To all of you that missed out on a ticket.  

Were still in this together, wear your colours and shout at the radio.

The fifth round could be your big match.