FA Cup

SAM ALLARDYCE goes back to where it all began tomorrow — with every indication he is heading for a fall.
Blackpool, the first club he  managed back in the mid-1990s, lie 13th in League One.

Sam Allardyce has been given backing ahead of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola to save West Brom’s seasonCredit: AFP

But Neil Critchley’s Tangerines are bound to fancy their chances against Big Sam’s strugglers West Brom.
Since Allardyce took over at the relegation–threatened Baggies on December 16, they have taken one point in four games, scored one goal and conceded 13.
Home defeats of 5-0 to Leeds and 4-0 to Arsenal prove to some critics he is too long in the tooth to repeat the rescue missions he pulled off at Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Everton.
And an FA Cup third-round defeat to a club hardly setting the world on fire would be a disaster.

But former Seasiders defender Andy Morrison insists 66-year-old Allardyce is still up for a fight.
Morrison was signed by Big Sam from Blackburn in December 1994, five months after he took over at Bloomfield Road.
And the 50-year-old said: “I can’t think of anyone better equipped to keep up West Brom than Sam. I sat down with him only a few weeks ago when he was still out of work.
“He is as fresh as ever, as aware of what needs to be done as anyone in the game. Nobody should be fooled by what he has taken on this time.

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Andy Morrison is confident old boss Big Sam will prevent West Brom from being relegatedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“West Brom are the most disjointed Premier League team I’ve seen in years. Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Pep Guardiola would go in there and struggle. So he has a huge job on his hands but if anybody can do it, it’s Big Sam.”
Allardyce made Morrison the Seasiders £245,000 record signing 26 years ago and then skipper.
The Scotsman, who played under Sir Kenny Dalglish at Rovers, also went on to captain Huddersfield and Manchester City.
Morrison, who is the boss of Connah’s Quay Nomads, had his most recent meeting with Allardyce to ask his advice on how to take the Welsh champions forward.
He added: “When I first got to Blackpool I was blown away by his whole ethos. We were being given nutrition drinks after training, rehab after training, the cool downs to  protect our bodies from muscle injury.
“His detail and analysis were huge, even then. It was completely new to me.
“Even though I was at Blackburn under Kenny Dalglish and Ray Harford, Big Sam was miles ahead of them in his understanding of nutrition, care of the body, the importance of cooling down as well as warming up.
“Medical science in sport was huge to him even back then when very few other managers were even  talking about it. I was lucky enough to pick his brains a few weeks ago and what struck me was how incredibly aware he is.

West Brom first face Neil Critchley’s Blackpool in the FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“He always gets the best out of the group — whatever the maximum potential is, he always finds it.
“My worry is the maximum  capabilities of West Brom are not enough to stay in the league.
“But for tactical analysis, understanding what makes players tick and preparation for a game, I never worked with anyone better.”
Morrison’s faith in Allardyce is backed by his former Tangerines team-mate Andy Preece, who Allardyce signed from Crystal Palace.
The former midfielder is assistant manager of non-league Chorley and will be hoping to see off Wayne Rooney’s Covid-hit Derby tomorrow.
Preece, 53, said: “You look back to Big Sam and say ‘Wow!’.
“I remember at Blackpool things like recovery drinks, people coming in to improve our fitness, he was quite big on the science.
“These things weren’t happening at Palace in the Premier League — but  he had them in League One.”

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SHREWSBURY face being booted out of the FA Cup after being unable to field a team against Southampton because of Covid-19.
Aston Villa are also at risk after the club announced on Thursday it has closed its Bodymoor Heath training ground because of a coronavirus outbreak.

Shrewsbury face being booted out the FA Cup by the Professional Game BoardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Wembley chiefs said the final decision on the Shrews will be taken by the Professional Game Board next week.
But who is on the Board? SunSport explains here.
Peter McCormick: Long-standing Premier League solicitor and board member who is currently acting chairman of the FA following Greg Clarke’s resignation.
Rebecca Caplehorn: One of Spurs chief exec Daniel Levy’s key lieutenants in N17 after joining from QPR in 2015.

Paul Barber: Brighton chief executive who formerly served on the boards of Spurs – under Levy – and the FA.

Brighton chief exec Paul Barber is one of the membersCredit: PA:Press Association
Phil Alexander: More than two decades as chief executive at Crystal Palace.
Made one appearance for Norwich, played for a number of non-league clubs and the London Monarchs American Football side.
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Rick Parry: EFL chairman who fought and won the bail-out battle with the Prem.
Was the first chief executive of the Prem and also served on Liverpool’s board.

Rick Parry will also be part of the decision making processCredit: PA:Press Association
Mark Ashton: Bristol City chief executive who rejoined the club from a similar role at Oxford in 2016. On the EFL board.
Jez Moxey: Much-travelled administrator and former basketball player now at Burton after spells at Rangers, Stoke, Wolves and Norwich.
John Nixon: Currently ‘director of external affairs’ and co-owner at Carlisle after filling a number of roles at the Cumbrian club.
Was an executive with Pirelli tyre company.
ASTON VILLA COVID CLOSURE
Villa are said to host Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday which could now be at risk.
And on Thursday, a club statement read: “Aston Villa can confirm the club has closed its Bodymoor Heath training ground after a significant Coronavirus outbreak.
“A large number of first team players and staff returned positive tests after being routinely tested on Monday and immediately went into isolation.
“A second round of testing was carried out immediately and produced more positive results today.
“First team training ahead of Friday’s FA Cup match with Liverpool was cancelled.
“Discussions are ongoing between medical representatives of the Club, the Football Association and the Premier League.”

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MIDDLESBROUGH face sending out a team of kids in the FA Cup third round against Brentford after a number of positive Covid tests. 
The Teessiders training ground has been closed since Monday, leaving Neil Warnock’s side unable to prepare for Saturday’s clash with the Bees. 

Neil Warnock could be forced to field the kids for Boro against BrentfordCredit: Rex Features

Further mandatory tests took place this morning with Boro nervously awaiting the results tomorrow. 
As things stand, Boro expect the game to go ahead but at best look like naming a decimated team made up of the U23s. 
But they could be forced to seek a postponement if the number of positives increases substantially. 
In addition to a number of players being struck down by Covid, Boro boss Warnock is already without Jonny Howson, Ashley Fletcher and Grant Hall through injury. 

In better news, the club confirmed this morning that Duncan Watmore has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal at the Riverside. 
The winger, 26, penned a short-term contract in November having left rivals Sunderland.  
West Brom, Burnley and a clutch of Championship clubs were keen to tie him down after five goals in six games put Watmore in the running for the Championship’s Player of the Month award.
But Warnock said: “I don’t think it was ever in doubt that he would sign with us because he has loved every minute of it here so far. 

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“He’s a real good lad. We’re looking forward to having him here on a longer-term basis now and hopefully seeing him score plenty more goals for the club.”
Elsewhere, Shrewsbury are set to be booted out of the FA Cup after confirming they cannot raise a team to play Southampton on Saturday.
The League One Shrews revealed the scale of their Covid-19 crisis on Wednesday.
And now the FA has confirmed the planned third round tie is OFF – with the expectation that Saints will be awarded a walkover to round four.
In a statement, the FA said: “Shrewsbury Town FC’s fixture against Southampton FC in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Proper will not be taking place on Saturday 9 January 2021 at 20:00 as scheduled.
“Shrewsbury Town FC informed The FA that there have been a significant number of positive COVID-19 cases at the club such that they did not have a sufficient amount of fit, non-isolating players who would be able to play in the fixture. 
“Shrewsbury Town FC provided The FA with details of the medical advice it had received and its communications with local Public Health England and liaised with The FA’s COVID Medical Officer for the Emirates FA Cup. 
“The FA also requested and considered further information regarding Shrewsbury Town FC’s ability to fulfil the fixture.”
Wembley’s Professional Game Board – which includes acting FA chairman Peter McCormick, plus representatives from Spurs, Brighton and Crystal Palace – will make a final decision on Shrewsbury’s fate “early next week”.

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SHREWSBURY are set to be booted OUT of the FA Cup after confirming they cannot raise a team to play Southampton on Saturday.
The League One Shrews revealed the scale of their Covid-19 crisis on Wednesday.

Shrewsbury are set to be kicked out of the FA CupCredit: Getty

And now the FA has confirmed the planned third round tie is OFF.
And the expectation is that Saints will be awarded a walkover to round four.
In a statement, the FA said: “Shrewsbury Town FC’s fixture against Southampton FC in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Proper will not be taking place on Saturday 9 January 2021 at 20:00 as scheduled.
“Shrewsbury Town FC informed The FA that there have been a significant number of positive Covid-19 cases at the club such that they did not have a sufficient amount of fit, non-isolating players who would be able to play in the fixture. 

“Shrewsbury Town FC provided The FA with details of the medical advice it had received and its communications with local Public Health England and liaised with The FA’s COVID Medical Officer for the Emirates FA Cup. 
“The FA also requested and considered further information regarding Shrewsbury Town FC’s ability to fulfil the fixture.”
Wembley’s Professional Game Board – which includes acting FA chairman Peter McCormick, plus representatives from Spurs, Brighton and Crystal Palace – will make a final decision on Shrewsbury’s fate ‘early next week’.
But with the fourth round due in just over a fortnight and the fifth round scheduled to be played two and a half weeks later – the draws for both rounds will take place back to back on Monday – there is no ‘wriggle room’ in the calendar.

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And, like Notts County in the fourth qualifying round, Shrewsbury will be forced to concede the tie with Saints marching through without kicking a ball.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough face sending out a team of kids in the FA Cup third round against Brentford after a number of positive Covid tests. 
The Teessiders’ training ground has been closed since Monday, leaving Neil Warnock’s side unable to prepare for Saturday’s clash with the Bees. 
Further mandatory tests took place this morning with Boro nervously awaiting the results tomorrow. 
As things stand, Boro expect the game to go ahead but at best look like naming a decimated team made up of the U23s. 
But they could be forced to seek a postponement if the number of positives increases substantially. 

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