By Jemma Tappenden
March 6 2008

It will have undoubtedly crossed the minds of some Albion fans that their success in the FA Cup might cost them dear in the promotion race as rescheduled fixtures mount extra pressure on at the business end of the season. But this weekend at least those thoughts will be pushed to the back of minds as the Baggies travel to Bristol to take on League on side Bristol Rovers in the 6th round.

West Brom have quite a history when it comes to the FA Cup, winners of the trophy a total of five times they also boast to be the only side to ever win the FA Cup and promotion in the same season.  A statistic that many will be hoping for a repeat of this year.  Albion were also the first side to win the cup with a team made up entirely of English born, and locally at that players, way back in 1888. 

So, will the love affair with the FA Cup continue this season?  It has to be said, so far so good.  Albion have already disposed of two fellow Championship sides, Charlton Athletic in the 3^rd round and Coventry City in the 5^th.  And Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United faired no better against the Black Country side in the 4^th round. 

Statistically I would say Albion stand a fairly good chance of making it to Wembley for the semis.  It has been two years since Albion fell foul of lower division opposition in this competition, a then Championship Reading knocking out a then Premiership Albion in the 3^rd round.  And you have to go back even further, by 9 years in fact for the last time Albion fell foul of third level opposition, losing 1-0 to Bournemouth at Dean Court in 1999, also in the third round. 

Victory on Sunday would allow Mowbray a second crack of the whip for success at Wembley, after the disappointment of last seasons Play off final defeat at the hands of Derby County less than a year ago.  But there is no room for complacency in this one.  Both sides boast only one defeat in their last respective 5 matches, and Rovers have already done away with Premiership opposition Fulham in the competition this year. 

Gaffer Paul Trollope is enjoying a period of prosperity at the club, leading them to only their third appearance in the quarter finals of this competition, the other two coming in 1951 and 1958 respectively.  He also won the club promotion from League Two last season through the play offs, at the end of what was only his first season in charge of his first ever managerial post. 

This will be Bristol’s 8^th match in the Cup, their most notorious victories coming against Fulham in round 3 and Championship side Southampton in round 5.  But it will be a tough challenge to face a West Brom side brimming with confidence in the league and a whole 34 places higher than themselves. 

Nonetheless, there is undoubtedly a little spark of magic here for both sides.  It is the only quarter final fixture which guarantees a non Premiership side in the Semi’s.  Albion could see themselves in the draw for the last 4 for the first time in 26 years, and Bristol would be breaking a club record if they can do the business.  They are the sole remaining representatives from League One, and the lowest ranked club left.

FA Cup Quater Final Preview

Discussion started by West Brom (IP Logged), 06/03/2008 19:38

West Brom
06/03/2008 19:38

FA Cup Quater Final Preview

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