Number 3 – Will play ……

Savage - will be in midfield for the visitors

I knew it, they didn’t have to say those two words Blackburn and Rovers – we had been paired with our local rivals for the first time since the quarter final in 1960.

Some Clarets were delighted, apparently there were joyous scenes outside Dixons in the market square, others like myself were far from pleased with what had happened. Personally I fancied Hartlepool or Brentford at home but would have made the sacrifice and accepted a trip to Old Trafford so the club could make some money.

Only one draw seemed less palatable and that was a trip to Ewood but there were no doubts, it was going to happen.

We had three league games between the draw and the tie but for many you would have thought they weren’t being played, the cup tie was the only thing on their minds. For the record we have played those three games and won one, drawn one and lost one whilst our opponents tomorrow have just come out of a poor run by beating Norwich.

They are apparently the bully boys of the Premiership, certainly according to Jose Mourinho and Nigel Worthington, but whether they are or not Steve Cotterill is ready for the physical battle should it be necessary.

In what must be something of a rarity they will be captained by a player who has worn the Claret & Blue of Burnley. Andy Todd will lead them out and just over a year ago, unwanted down the road, he was recapturing his form in our 2003/04 style defence.

It will be the first time a player has crossed the divide and then captained one against the other since Keith Newton was Burnley captain at Ewood on Boxing Day 1976 when we came from two behind to draw 2-2 with two late goals.

I’ve taken little notice of what’s been going on at Brockhall this week, other than a Claret & Blue clad statue of course, so know very little of the side they will bring. Apparently Dominic Matteo is expected to be out through injury and they will play the same side that beat Norwich. As long as they don’t bring the clown with the drum I’m not particularly bothered.

Their team last week was: Brad Friedel, Ryan Nelsen, Andy Todd, Aaron Mokoena, Nils-Eric Johansson, Brett Emerton, Tugay, Lily Savage, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Paul Dickov, Paul Gallagher. Subs: Peter Enckelman, Lucas Neill, Steven Reid, David Thompson, Jemel Johnson.

Steve Cotterill has made his mind up on who will start and he is expected to recall both Gary Cahill and Ian Moore who were on the bench on Tuesday at Crewe. The big question is who will be left out should he decide to go with these two.

For Cahill it will be either Frank Sinclair or Michael Duff and I feel sure he’ll opt for Frank’s experience whilst either Graham Branch or Jean-Louis Valois could be the unlucky one to be on the bench.

He’s given no indication but it would not be a surprise should we line up:

Brian Jensen, Frank Sinclair, Gary Cahill, John McGreal, Mo Camara, John Oster, Micah Hyde, Tony Grant, Pete Whittingham, Graham Branch, Ian Moore. Subs: Danny Coyne, Lee Roche, Michael Duff, Joel Pilkington, Jean-Louis Valois.

There’s been only one FA Cup tie between the two sides previously on the Turf and that was in 1960. We went into the game on the back of a league win against them and took control of the cup tie in the second half after a goalless first period.

Goals from Brian Pilkington, Ray Pointer and John Connelly looked to have ensured a semi-final place but we hadn’t reckoned on Portsmouth referee Hunt who turned the game on its head with a ridiculous penalty decision for handball against Alex Elder.

They pulled one back from the spot and when with four minutes to go they equalised it was a matter of hanging on, which we did and it was off to Ewood for a replay which we won’t bother with.

Over fifty one and a half thousand were there to see the six goal game and the teams were,

Burnley: Adam Blacklaw, John Angus, Alex Elder, Bobby Seith, Brian Miller, Jimmy Adamson, John Connelly, Jimmy McIlroy, Ray Pointer, Jimmy Robson, Brian Pilkington.

Blackburn: Harry Leyland, John Bray, Dave Whelan, Ronnie Clayton, Matt Woods, Mick McGrath, Louis Bimpson, Peter Dobing, Derek Dougan, Bryan Douglas, Ally McLeod.