City`s reward for their professional despatch of Leeds United is another home tie against nPower Championship Barnsley FC.
Blues fans prayers for a home tie were answered when their number came up in the hand of former England Manager Graham Taylor during the draw at Wembley immediately after Sunday`s 5th Round ties were concluded. Whilst there remain 5th Round ties and replays to be resolved Blues would also have been relieved to have avoided picking up potential Premier League opposition. There was some irony that it was former Barnsley chief Simon Daley, tasked with picking the away teams, who pulled out the Tykes from the FA ‘Bowl of Destiny`.
However, despite the excellent response to the disappointment at St Mary`s the previous weekend, City would do well not to be complacent against The Tykes. Whilst they may sit in the relegation places in the nPower Championship with only 31 points, their form over the last 8 games would be good enough to put them in 9th place and in touch with the Play Off places. Coupled with the fact that overall this season they seem to have performed better away from Oakwell than they have at home averaging 1.37 goals for on the road as opposed to 0.93 the City management would do well to ensure that the squad are as well prepared as they seemed to have been for the visit of Leeds.
Managed by David Flitcroft, the younger brother of former City favourite Garry, Barnsley will treat this as a great opportunity to bloody the noses of their neighbours in Sky Blue.
The remaining ties throw up the prospect of two all Premier League clashes if Everton can overcome Oldham who battled bravely to snatch an injury time equaliser on Saturday and the possibility of Manchester United facing Chelsea if both come through their respective 5th Round matches.
The quarter final ties will take place over the weekend of 9th and 10th March.
UPCOMING FIXTURES:
all times East Manchester
Su 24Feb 13h30 Chelsea, The Etihad, PL
Mo 04Mar 20h00 Aston Villa, Villa Park, PL
Sa 09Mar 17h30 Barnsley, The Etihad, FACQF
Sa 16Mar 12h45 Everton, Goodison Park, PL
Sa 30Mar 15h00 Newcastle, The Etihad, PL
Mo 08Apr 20h00 The Rags, The Swamp, PL
Mo 15 Apr 20h00 West Brom, The Etihad, PL
Su 21 Apr 13h30 Spurs, White Hart Lane, PL
Sa 27 Apr 12h45 West Ham United, The Etihad, PL
Sa 04 May 15h00 Swansea, The Liberty Stadium, PL
Su 12 May 15h00 Reading, The Madejski Stadium, PL
Su 19 May 16h00 Norwich City, The Etihad, PL
City vs Wigan To Be Rearranged
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