Mark Venus today challenged Albion and Wolves to bring FA Cup glory back to the Black Country with the draw wide open.
The Baggies assistant manager and former Wolves defender reckons the cup has opened up for a none-Premier League side to grab the headlines.
And Venus has urged the great Black Country rivals to put themselves in the frame for glory by reaching the last 16 tomorrow.
Albion are clear favourites at League Two Peterborough while Wolves face a tough trip to Championship high-fliers Watford.
“I think the cup has opened up,” said Venus.
“There are a lot of Premier League teams out already and more will be going in this round.
“I think up to the quarter-finals or the semi-finals a team might miss the big three or four.
“If we can get through the draw is open.”
And Venus believes Millwall’s run to the final four seasons ago provides inspiration to other clubs from outside the top flight that glory is within their reach.
The Lions reached the Millennium Stadium without playing a Premier League club, and Venus believes a repeat is possible this year.
A series of early upsets and the nature of the fourth round draw means that a maximum of seven Premier League clubs can reach the last 16.
“It (Millwall) gives hope,” said Venus. It shows you that it can be achieved and I would love it to be us.
“I would love us at the end of the season to have a pinnacle of a game for the fans, the club and everyone.
“Let’s take every games as it comes and see what happens.
“It would be great for us or anyone to go along the same route.
“I think it’s good for the cup as well if you can get one of the less big teams through to the latter stages and give the people of the area a lift.
“An FA Cup run would really light up the West Midlands and it’s about time some of them got a bit of success.
“They come every week and support their clubs and I think there is only us and Wolves left it.”
See today’s Express & Star for a full preview on Albion’s cup clash
11 Comments
Could Veno bring his boots to Watford tomorrow?
He would certainly show the lack lustre defence how to do the job.
Oh, & while he’s at it, could he pick up Ally Robinson & John Wile for similar reasons?
my team for posh game -:
keily
hodgkiss, pele, barnett, robbo
morrison, greening, brunt
teixera,
macdonald , bedner?
What does every1 else think???
This is still a strong side but I fink we should, and TM probs will rest some of our key players (phillips, koren, gera, cesar, albrechtsen, hoefkens)?
BOING BOING!!!
2 - I also think its time to rest Greening…
I would play Mac and Beattie up front for this (I think Beatts is fit) and bring Bednar on if neccessary.
I also would play Albre and Cesar together at the back - its our best pairing but they aint played it for a few weeks.
deano
the hoff
robbo
albert
cesar
brunt
morrison
jesus
koren
beatie
mcdonald
subs= king kev,roman,tex,pele,steele
Veno Veno Veno
Who’s Ally Robinson?
its clear to see that mark venus still has his heart at molineux, i bet he takes a little radio to listen to wolves comentary while he has to sit and watch albions inferior football
MMPD
Welcome back, and where have you been mate ?
you`re tounge in cheek comments
never fail to make me smile……….now don`t be a stranger yawl.
5 Ken Hawthorn:
If you don’t know who Alistair Robertson(my mistake,Freudian slip), your young!
He was one hell of a central defender & played for WBA Between 1969 & 1986, alongside John Wile.
Out are Gera (susp) Hodgkiss (inj).
My team selection would be
Deano
Robbo Alby Cesar Hoef
Morrison Jesus Koren Brunt
Mac Bednar
Subs: Phillips, Tex, Beattie, Barnett, Steele.
now come on punk jealously will get you nowhere
and you can have him back if you want him
once a dingle always a dingle
Happy.
Same team that I’d pick although TM always seems to have a surprise up his sleeve.
MMDP.
Likewise I can’t help but agree with you, secretly every Baggies fan is cursing his luck at having to watch our leaky defence and inept forwards when we could be drooling over your tight defence and free flowing brand of football. Well, the drooling bit is true, I notice most of your fans doing it.