Up for the cup

Never let it be said that the FA Cup is a distraction. If Blues win tonight – and I’m taking nothing for granted – Manchester United will be the prize. Blues fans would relish the tie and United fans would love the short trip to St. Andrews…

Just imagine the scenes when Chiekh Ndoye flattens Paul Pogba from behind, nutmegs Alexis Sanchez before hitting a rasper in David De Gea’s top corner and running with his shirt off past the dugout to unleash an almighty slap round Jose Mourinho’s face with his gigantic hand.

Probably won’t happen but you get the gist.

Sure, Huddersfield will be a tough nut to crack but who can honestly say that it would be a genuine shock if Blues prevail tonight?

With The Terriers putting every ounce of energy into their bid for Premier League survival, I wouldn’t even have them down as clear favourites. Ever so slightly, maybe.

Of course, football has a habit of biting you in the bum and I would hate to be eating my words come 10pm.

It’s not just the carrot dangling of a potential tie against United that has me looking forward to the cup. It’s another chance for the fringe players to stake their claim and imagine what another victory would do for team morale…