Fergie jnr is chip off old block - Venus

The assistant manager Venus believes Posh boss Ferguson is a chip off the old block, sharing father Sir Alex's single-minded determination to succeed as a manager.

But Tony Mowbray's right-hand man reckons his former Wolves team mate will live or die by his own methods and will not be sidetracked by comparisons with his dad.

Venus said: "Everyone looks at him in relation to his father and it's only natural that everyone is going to look at him and see how he does. I think his father being who he is has got its good points and it's obviously got its hindrances.

"But he is definitely his own man. I played with him for a few years and he is definitely his own person who will succeed or fail on what he believes in."

But Venus admitted Peterborough boss Ferguson has inherited his 'old man's' determination.

The Hawthorns number two joked: "He is a level-headed guy who knows what he wants. He is single-minded. I don't know where he gets it from.

"But he was a good guy who liked his football and always talked about it. It was never a secret that he was probably going to have a go at management at some point.

"You have to give him the greatest credit because he has done very well."

Albion head to London Road tonight for their third-round replay, with Venus admitting Premier League survival remains the club's clear top priority.

But he believes no-one at The Hawthorns has forgotten last season's run to a Wembley semi-final and the effects it had on the club.

Venus said: "Premier League football is a massive imperative at this club to everybody – players, management, fans and the board. I'm not going to pretend the cup is more important than that because it isn't.

"But it's the FA Cup and everybody knows what fun we had last year, and the year before in reaching the quarter-finals. We don't want to go out of the FA Cup.

"Cups can open up and they have had a habit of opening up in the last couple of years. But you need to get through your round and once you do that you can look ahead.

"One bad draw could be a problem to you but if you can have a bit of luck in the draw and deal with the teams you're playing against, who knows where you can go?

"Portsmouth won the FA Cup last year only playing one Premier League team and they ended up with a trophy and a medal.

"But first and foremost you've got to win your game, because you can't go anywhere in a cup unless you win the games that are in front of you. The you need a bit of luck in the draw and you have to hope that the top teams play each other so one of them has to go out.

"I hope everyone understands the importance of the FA Cup. For Portsmouth, it lifted the city last year and they went out and brought together some big players, maybe because of the thought of playing in Europe.

"Or maybe because they thought Portsmouth had crossed the line, won a trophy and could push on.

"The FA Cup is big in our country and you would be remembered in the town by everyone if you happened the do well in it."