The FA Cup is one of the most prestigious cup competitions in the world, and these three clubs should look towards it as a big opportunity going forward.
With half of the season gone it’s time to start thinking about final league positions. Some teams will be scraping and clawing to make their way into the play-offs or title picture, meanwhile others are fully aware that their chances of doing anything of note in the league this year are over. For those who fall into the latter category, the FA Cup can still provide some form of joy or success.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves manager Paul Lambert
As we saw in their third round tie against Stoke City, Wolves have some tricks up their sleeve. The Midlands side are more than capable of knocking out the big boys, and it already looks like their push for the play-offs is over for another year. Whilst they should still give it everything they’ve got in the league, they have more than enough depth to mount a serious cup run, something that has been long overdue in recent years at Molineux.
Liverpool or Plymouth are up next, either way the magic of the cup will be present.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy
The Tractor Boys are in what can only be described as a slump right now, lying 15th in the league with no real investment in either the promotion race or the relegation scrap. Manager Mick McCarthy is regarded by many to be the most important part of that club, and in order to keep hold of him they should aim to push on in the cup which starts with the replay against Lincoln. They should expect to beat the Imps, and will then have a home tie with Championship form team Brighton up next.
Southampton
Southampton manager Claude Puel
The Saints have an uncanny ability to continually reinvent their club, and they’ve managed to do it again this season as they lie in the top half of the Premier League table. However with 15 points separating them from the European spots, Southampton should see the FA Cup as a massive opportunity to once again bring Europa League football to St Mary’s. Going great in the League Cup, if they overcome Norwich in the replay Southampton have another chance to end Arsenal’s cup dreams, having beaten the Gunners 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the League Cup last year.
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