TheBrownBottle

Hereford of course won in a replay - that’s all been fixed now. Can’t let that happen

I thought he was lucky to stay on the pitch vs us and vs Liverpool

This referee is absolutely fucking gash

Only needed some help from the officials

Another push not given

Spurs get the FK and Tamworth don’t mins earlier. Piss poor refereeing.

Bergvall is a right cheating little cunt mind - a walking red card

A tie at WHL would be the sort of reward they’d be after in the 4th round. It was all about protecting the ‘big clubs’. The FA Cup has been chipped away at for three decades - the FA should have had their eyeballs pulled out for what they’ve agreed to do to the competition on behalf of a handful of overfattened spoilt clubs.

Disgrace that replays were scrapped. Tamworth should’ve been off to White Hart Lane here.

Hell of a difference between a third division side and a semi-pro team

Unfortunately not the case, nor close to it.

Yeah, I’d have him in. Isak’s goals to games ratio is better, and I think Isak is probably in the top two or three strikers on the planet at the moment, so I am sympathetic to the idea that he’s a better centre forward. If someone put a gun to my head and asked who I’d take - prime Shearer or current Isak - I’d probably go Isak. Or more likely I’d play both.

I’d have him in my NUFC PL XI, but like I said I don’t think it’s an unreasonable take to not have him in there.

Some of it depends on the formation you’d play etc for the imaginary XI. Using the current 4-3-3, then Beardsley-Shearer-Isak is how I’d go. In terms of PL records, Shearer scored more PL goals in his four seasons at Blackburn (three and a half really, given he was crocked in 92/93) and first season at us than in his remaining nine seasons at NUFC. He was possibly world class during that early period - he was still excellent afterwards. I’d still have him in my side.

The Alan Shearer we paid a world-record fee for is what we got for one season (96/97). He wasn’t the same player at all after the injury at Goodison - I don’t think it’s controversial to point that out. It was impressive that he managed to continue playing at the level he did afterwards, but he wasn’t what he was pre-July 1997.

I’m never comfortable with playing reserves in an FA Cup tie, but if there was ever a game where it could be justified it’s this one, though it does feel disrespectful both to what should be the centrepiece of English football and to Bromley FC. Only one who absolutely should be rested is Isak.

That’s pretty much what my XI would look like, only with Beardsley in ahead of Solano. I’d argue in favour of Lee ahead of Batty if we’re not thinking tactically.

Because then all his remaining contract would be paid in one FFP period

Agreed, but I think putting Isak and Beardsley ahead of him would be explicable

Not sure about that - I’d be tempted by Isak and Beardsley as a front two. Shearer’s numbers in the PL era were heavily stacked by four seasons at Blackburn - we got one season of the Shearer we paid all that money for. His average in his first season with us was the same as his goal average for Blackburn - 0.81 per game. After his injury at Goodison, he never came close to that average again. It’s incredible that he continued to score goals at the highest level after he came back, but he had to completely change his style of play and the team had to be fundamentally rebuilt to cover his loss of pace.

I’d probably pick Given over Pope but I don’t think Given was a great keeper by any stretch - picking Pope over him seems fairly rational; I think Pope pre-injury probably was a better keeper.

First I’ve ever heard of the Ginola rumour - and Ginola was completely off the boil when Shearer joined; the grumbles and complaints re his effort and output had already started when Shearer signed. Ginola would be a weird player for Sheree to be jealous of … Beardsley in his second spell is still the best player we had in the PL era. The idea of Ferdinand or Asprilla ahead of him is odd. Beardsley would be the first name on the team sheet of anyone who saw him. He’s the closest English football ever produced to Messi.

Yeah, I think you’re right there tbf

Until we’ve got someone better, Pope should be back in nets as soon as he’s fit. We should be looking to upgrade at the earliest possible opportunity

If we reached the LC Final and Dubravka was selected ahead of Pope I’d be far more nervous