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      When is FA Cup 4th round draw? Date, start time, TV channel and FREE stream as 32 sides learn opponents for next stage

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      THE FA Cup third round is underway with fans treated to some blockbuster ties!44 Premier League and Championship clubs enter the competition at this stage, joining 20 lower-league and non-league outfits.Some huge clubs will bow out at the third round stage of this season’s FA CupCredit: GettySome of the standout matches of the FA Cup third round include League Two Accrington Stanley’s clash with top-flight leaders Liverpool at Anfield.Tamworth, who are the lowest-ranked side left in the prestigious competition, host Premier League royalty as they welcome Ange Postecoglu’s Tottenham.Elsewhere, FA Cup holders Manchester United take on fellow English giants Arsenal in Sunday’s featured tie.The 64 teams competing in the third round will be reduced to 32, which means some huge names won’t be in the hat for the next stage.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport brings you all the details you need ahead of the FA Cup fourth round draw.When is the FA Cup fourth round draw?The FA Cup fourth round draw will take place on Sunday, January 12.The draw will take place following the conclusion of Arsenal’s blockbuster clash with Man Utd.The glamour tie kicks off at 3pm GMT, meaning the draw could begin at around 5pm GMT, depending on whether or not extra-time and possibly penalties are needed.FA Cup fourth round matches will be played across the weekend of Saturday, February 8.What TV channel will the FA Cup fourth round draw be on and can it be live streamed FREE?The FA Cup fourth round draw will be broadcast live on BBC One.You can live stream the draw for FREE via the BBC iPlayer app/website or The Emirates FA Cup’s official YouTube channel.Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog will bring you all the ties as they are confirmed.FA Cup third round fixtures and resultsThursday, January 9Most read in FA CupSheffield United 0-1 Cardiff City Everton 2-0 Peterborough UnitedFulham 4-1 WatfordFriday, January 10Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 PortsmouthAston Villa 2-1 West Ham UnitedSaturday, January 11 – 12pm GMTBristol City v Wolverhampton WanderersBirmingham City v Lincoln CityMiddlesbrough v Blackburn RoversSaturday, January 11 – 12.15pm GMTLiverpool v Accrington Stanley Saturday, January 11 – 3pm GMTExeter City v Oxford UnitedPreston North End P-P Charlton AthleticAFC Bournemouth v West Bromwich AlbionReading v BurnleySunderland v Stoke CityNottingham Forest v Luton TownBrentford v Plymouth ArgyleNorwich City v Brighton & Hove AlbionChelsea v Morecambe Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers Saturday, January 11 – 5.45pm GMTMan City v Salford City Leeds United v Harrogate Town Saturday, January 11 – 6pm GMTLeyton Orient v Derby CountyCoventry City v Sheffield WednesdayMansfield Town P-P Wigan AthleticSunday, January 12 – 12pm GMTHull City v Doncaster RoversSunday, January 12 – 12.30 GMTTamworth v Tottenham Hotspur Sunday, January 12 – 3pm GMTArsenal v Man UtdNewcastle United v Bromley Ipswich Town v Bristol RoversCrystal Palace v Stockport CountySunday, January 12 – 4.30pm GMTSouthampton v Swansea CityREAD MORE SUN STORIESMonday, January 13 – 7.30pm GMTMillwall v Dagenham & Redbridge More

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      Liverpool give debut to 16-year-old wonderkid Rio Ngumoha vs Accrington after signing winger from Chelsea in the summer

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      LIVERPOOL have handed a shock debut to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha who becomes the club’s youngest-ever starter.The Reds face Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round this afternoon. Rio Ngumoha will make his Liverpool debut aged 16 against Accrington StanleyCredit: GettyHe becomes the Reds’ youngest-ever starterCredit: GettyAnd unsurprisingly Arne Slot named a second-string XI for the clash against the League Two strugglers.But that meant he could bring young winger Nguhoma into the team.The star was born in August 2008 and came through the youth academy at Chelsea. He signed for Liverpool in the summer and has chipped in with four assists in the Under-18s Premier League and Uefa Youth League this season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALSlot put him on the England U17 star on the bench for the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Southampton in December – although he did not get on.But instead the teenager will step out at Anfield wearing the No73 alongside the likes of experienced international stars Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai.Slot, though, believes Nguhoma is ready for his big chance in the FA Cup.The Kop boss said: “It’s always special if a young player makes their debut no matter which county you’re from.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”When you’ve been a player, you know what it means. “He is a young kid still that has been with us for half a season, training mostly with the U21s but also with us.How Man United destroyed Trent in spectacular Liverpool draw amid £100m Real Madrid transfer talks”He is not afraid to do what he is good at, which is taking players on in 1v1s. Hopefully he can show that today.”Asked about Nguhoma’s comments on winning the Ballon d’Or, Slot added: “He is at a club where players can win the Ballon d’Or so let’s wait but it’s far, far too early to say.”Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Tyler Morton also start for Liverpool – with the trio all more than five years older than their team-mate Ngumoha.James McConnell, 20, Jayden Danns, 18, and Trey Nyoni, 17, will all be hoping to add to their few first-team appearances.Central midfielder Nyoni joined the Reds academy from Leicester in 2023 and became the youngest player to feature for Liverpool in the FA Cup when he came on for Elliott against Southampton in the fifth round last season. Ngumoha came through the academy at Chelsea before joining Liverpool last summerCredit: GettyHe impressed Arne Slot in training to get his shotCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd will give Saka-less Arsenal hell in Cup clash if Arteta doesn’t learn from Amorim’s near masterclass v Liverpool

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      MANCHESTER UNITED travel down to North London to face Arsenal in what is, without a doubt, the most high profile match in the FA Cup third round.With United coming into this match on the back of a promising, and perhaps surprising, 2-2 draw away to league leaders Liverpool last weekend.Manchester United face Arsenal in the FA Cup this weekendCredit: APThe Red Devils will be encouraged by last week’s 2-2 draw with LiverpoolCredit: GettyThe absence of Bukayo Saka could hinder ArsenalCredit: GettyAnd with Arsenal having lost their Carabao Cup semi-final match 2-0 at home to Newcastle in midweek, both sides are in an interesting moment coming into this match.From a tactical perspective we know exactly what to expect from both of these teams.Arsenal will set up in a loose 4-3-3 system with their captain Martin Odegaard given the freedom to step forward into more advanced positions.The loss to injury of Bukayo Saka, however, has been a significant blow to Mikel Arteta’s side which makes their attack far less effective.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited, on the other hand, will play in their 3-4-3 (or more accurately 3-4-2-1) shape that we have seen since Amorim came into the club.United’s performance against Liverpool, which showed some tactical variation, gives some idea as to how they will play at the Emirates this coming weekend.Pressing high and oftenOne of the most striking features that we saw from United against Liverpool was their willingness to be aggressive out of possession.They pressed high and often as the Reds were looking to build their attacks.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThis was actually a very smart choice from Amorim and his coaching staff as United wanted to force Liverpool to attack quickly down the wide areas.They achieved this by pressing from more narrow positions from inside to outside.Given the tactical systems that the two were playing, 4-3-3 vs 3-4-2-1, Liverpool would have had a natural advantage of 3v2 in the midfield with Ryan Gravenberch typically the deepest midfield player where he would have been the free man.By pressing Liverpool quickly and trying to force them to play to the outside, United looked to take that advantage away quickly as Liverpool attacked.Man Utd’s mentality praised by Amorim after draw with Liverpool Man Utd’s high press against Liverpool saw Manuel Ugarte step up to track Alexis Mac Allister, ready to pounce on any mistakesWe see the United press here. Manuel Ugarte steps up in the midfield to track Alexis MacAllister and the two attacking midfielders and striker for United are ready to press any attempt at a short pass out from Liverpool.While United pressed the build-up from Liverpool they also were able to jump out and press the ball whenever Liverpool had possession deep inside their own half.The front three of Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo were consistently looking for ways to apply pressure and to either force a mistake or a long ball from Liverpool.This type of high press that forces the opposition into areas where you are more comfortable would also work well against Arsenal.While the likes of Gabriel and William Saliba are comfortable on the ball for Arsenal they are less effective when they are forced to play quickly.Against Arsenal we are likely to see United continue to force the opposition to attack down the outsides of the pitch early. This will be especially effective against this Arsenal side with the likes of Trossard playing from the right of the attack as opposed to Bukayo Saka.Bruno Fernandes takes the front foot to press and pin Liverpool into their full-back positionHere, we see Bruno Fernandes taking the front foot and looking to jump higher in order to press the ball when Liverpool are pinned into their full-back position.The freedom of the two attacking midfielders to jump high is underpinned by the fact they have two wing-backs and two deeper midfielders behind them to provide support.We believe that we are likely to see United play aggressively and from the front foot out of possession against Arsenal. They are going to look to force mistakes from Arsenal early and in their own half.Attacking with pace on the counterThe term transitions has been more and more commonly used in football in recent years and Ruben Amorim is very much a coach who wants his team to be effective in these moments of transition.This means that when his team loses possession, and transitions from attack to defence, he wants them to be aggressive in pressing to try to regain the ball.It also means, however, that when they regain possession they will be aggressive in their attacking transition as they look to attack quickly and with pace.We saw the speed and aggressive nature of United on the counter attack clearly in this game against Liverpool.United were happy to sit deeper and defend when they were in the more established defensive phase.But as soon as there was an opportunity to spring forward and to attack we saw United move quickly. They were especially effective when pinning the Liverpool fullbacks with the attacking midfielders and the wing-backs working together to overload the Liverpool fullbacks on either side.Trent Alexander-Arnold finds himself isolated and pulled inside and the pass can be played to release the runner ahead in the wide areaIn this example United have regained possession with Bruno Fernandes in possession on the near side. Trent Alexander-Arnold finds himself isolated and pulled inside and the pass can be played to release the runner ahead in the wide area. This results in United pushing players forward at speed to attack the Liverpool back line.Arsenal under Arteta will likely be more cautious in their approach to building the attack than we saw Liverpool in the match last weekend.Arteta likes Arsenal to be slower and more methodical as they build their attack but this does not mean that there will not be spaces that United can take advantage of on the counter attack.This does not mean though that United cannot be effective in transition and on the counter attack against Arsenal.The North London side have a tendency to look to control possession but when they do move the ball high and wide they will leave spaces that can be taken advantage of by United.This example is from late in the game vs Liverpool and Amad takes possession deep inside his own half. In this situation, Amad drives forward but it is also notable that he has support from the likes of Hojlund and Garnacho to move quickly and support the counter attack. Amad drives forward but it is also notable that he has support from the likes of Hojlund and Garnacho to move quicklyFocusing attacks down the left-sideAgainst Liverpool we saw United develop a clear preference for attacking down the left-side of the pitch and we believe that this is something that we will see again against Arsenal this coming weekend.With Lisandro Martinez progressing the ball from the left sided central defensive position and with Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes effectively receiving and linking play, this strategy had clear benefits for United during this match.While you could argue that United were trying to attack Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back for Liverpool but in our opinion this was a clear plan regardless of who Liverpool played on that side.This means that Amad Diallo, on the other side, had space to attack the area with far side runs off the ball to further stress the opposition defensive line.These far side runs when combined with the passing and progression on the left-side will be effective in putting pressure on Arsenal’s defensive system.United were effective when building down the leftUnited were effective when building down the left because of the movement and intelligence of Fernandes. Here, Dalot has received possession and he has space to move forward into.Alexander-Arnold cannot move higher to engage because Fernandes has moved across and pinned Liverpool in that position.When they are building the play down their left-side do not be surprised to see United choose to go longer from Dalot or Martinez in order to release the runs of Hojlund as the main striker.The Danish striker is naturally left-footed so he has a tendency to position himself in the channels on that side of the pitch. Any long balls in the channels here will force William Saliba to have to defend 1v1 against the powerful Hojlund.Arsenal are more defensively solid than Liverpool but the tendency of United to overload the left-side and mix their approach between short combinations and longer passes will stress the Arsenal defence and allow United to create chances.Here, we see a moment when Alexander-Arnold has been caught too deep but United are able to take advantage of the space.United were able to take advantage of the space left behind the Liverpool defenceWe see Dalot and Fernandes have moved high and Gravenberch has been pulled wide to follow Fernandes. This takes away central cover and the long ball into the channel releases Hojlund who has bent his run.It will be interesting to see whether Arteta adjusts his normal approach defensively to take into account the fact that United will focus on that side of the pitch. There is no doubt that the 2-2 draw away to Liverpool at Anfield will have given United confidence coming into this game against Arsenal.READ MORE SUN STORIESWe think that they will continue to be aggressive both in and out of possession and they will look for ways to attack and unbalance the defensive line for Arsenal.A win in this match in the FA Cup could well be the start of a strong run for United. More

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      Sam Matterface in ‘voice crack of the decade’ as ITV commentator awkwardly reacts to Aston Villa goal against West Ham

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      SAM MATTERFACE suffered the “voice crack of the decade” during Friday night’s FA Cup tie.The commentator was covering Aston Villa’s third-round victory over West Ham at Villa Park for ITV.Amadou Onana scored Aston Villa’s controversial equaliser against West HamCredit: GettyThe goal prompted a hilarious voice crack from commentator Sam MatterfaceCredit: GettyAnd the way he called Amadou Onana’s equalising goal left viewers in hysterics.Villa midfielder Onana, 23, levelled in controversial scenes.His original shot flew well wide but the referee bizarrely thought it took a deflection and awarded a corner.From the resulting set-piece, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Paqueta tussled off the ball before Lukasz Fabianski spilt the ball for Onana to prod home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWith no VAR in the FA Cup third round to intervene, the goal was allowed to stand.And that meant it was time for Matterface’s hilarious microphone moment. He said: “I’m not entirely sure it was a corner, let’s see what happens, West Ham won’t be happy if anything comes of it.”Into the near post, flicked on by Mings, Ezri Konsa sets it back…Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”And it’s spilt, and smuggled home, Onana is there. It did come to something.”The equaliser by Amadou Onana!Aston Villa to build Premier League’s largest beer hall as they announce stunning redevelopment plans next to stadium “It’s his first GOAL in a while and it’s a really important one for Aston Villa.”On the word “goal”, though, Matterface’s voice broke completely, prompting a high-pitched squeal. When ITV posted the clip of the goal on X and the highlights on YouTube, they cut off the video before the verbal mishap.But the unfortunate moment was not missed by fans and it sparked plenty of witty comments on social media.Roman Kemp tweeted: “Voice crack of the decade from Sam Matterface.”Another wrote: “That is an atrocious voice crack – happens to the best of us.”A third added to the Football Cliches pod: “You might need to do a full episode on that noise Sam Matterface just made.”A fourth quipped: “It’s a first what in how long?”A fifth replied: “‘It’s his first gOAl’ – lovely voice break by Sam Matterface there hahahahaha!”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd a final user joked: “Lee Dixon became so excited by that first Villa goal that he appears to have grabbed Sam Matterface by a certain part of his anatomy.”Morgan Rogers completed the turnaround for Villa five minutes later to send the seven-time winners into round four as Graham Potter suffered defeat in his opening game as the new Hammers boss.Onana pounced to prod into the back of the net from a corner that should not have been givenCredit: PA More

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      Konstantinos Mavropanos injured attempting baffling ‘Phil Jones-style’ head tackle as three West Ham stars forced off

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      KONTASTINOS Mavropanos was forced off with an injury after attempting a tackle with his head during West Ham’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa.New West Ham boss Graham Potter lost three players to injury as his first game in charge of the Hammers ended in defeat.Konstantinos Mavropanos was forced off with an injury against Aston VillaCredit: GettyMavropanos tried to tackle using his headCredit: GettyMavropanos threw himself at the ballCredit: itvHis head hit straight into Rogers’ kneeCredit: itvThe defender was left on the floor after the collisionCredit: itvMavropanos, 27, threw everything he had at Morgan Rogers in an effort to try and stop the Villa man extending the home side’s lead in the second half.But while throwing himself at the ball, Mavropanos smashed his head into the side of Rogers’ knee, leaving him in agony on the pitch.The Greek centre-back couldn’t continue after the nasty knock and was subsequently substituted and replaced by 18-year-old Luis Guilherme.Fans thought that Mavropanos’ efforts were remarkably similar to former Manchester United star Phil Jones, who had been known to put his body on the line in the past.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSOn social media, one wrote: “Mavropanos thinking he’s Phil Jones for a brief moment, but lacking the master skillset”.While another added: “Mavropanos has gone full ‘Phil Jones’ there. Not surprisingly he’s injured.”Mavropanos wasn’t the only West Ham man to leave the pitch with injury either.Graham Potter confirmed that both Crysensio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug also picked up injuries during the game.Most read in FootballPhil Jones famously made a tackle with his head in the pastCredit: Getty Images – GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe new Hammers boss explained how losing the pair had an impact on their ability to play their game.He said: “Obviously losing Summerville and losing Fullkrug had an influence on the attacking part of our game.Where it went wrong for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham”And then there was more pressure than anything, rather than big chances.”Adding: “We had to adjust without them. So that affected out attacking play a little bit.”And then Aston Villa just pushed us back a bit and we ended up a little bit too deep, deeper than we wanted.”And then with the ball, we couldn’t sustain enough attacks to be able to relieve some pressure”.Aston Villa turned round a 1-0 deficit to advance to the FA Cup fourth round thanks to goals from Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers.Graham Potter explained that injuries hampered his side’s chances of winning the tieCredit: Rex More

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      Accrington Stanley star Connor O’Brien reveals adorable childhood photo with Liverpool legends ahead of FA Cup clash

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      CONNOR O’BRIEN fondly remembers the day he was a starry-eyed little kid who met his Liverpool idols outside a hotel in Accrington.And pride of place at his Lancashire home is a framed photo of himself as a small boy, wearing the team’s away strip and tracksuit top, flanked by club legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.Accrington star Connor O’Brien is set to take on Liverpool this SaturdayO’Brien had his picture taken with Anfield legends Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard as a kidCredit: SuppliedYou wonder if they advised him: “If you don’t drink milk, you’ll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley!” just like Ian Rush was said to have advised two young Liverpool fans in a famous 1980s TV ad.Fast forward to 2025 and not only is O’Brien very  happy to play for his home-town club but on Saturday the right-back is set to turn out against his Kop heroes at Anfield.And the 20-year-old said: “Dad put me in a Liverpool kit before I could stand, so this is a dream come true.“I was excited when I got the chance to meet all the players as a kid when they were staying at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel here in Accrington ahead of a game against Burnley.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Dad found out they were staying, so we drove up and the entire squad were having their pre-match walk around the  grounds.“Rafa Benitez was manager and dad asked him if we could get some photos with the players. His assistant, Sammy Lee, put his arm around me and took me to meet the team.“We got pictures with half the squad — and the one we have framed at home is me with Gerrard and Carragher.“I sadly wasn’t able to get one with  Fernando Torres because he was injured. But it was a day I’ll never forget.”Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSO’Brien is a boyhood Liverpool and Stanley fanCredit: RexSaturday, whatever the outcome, will surely trump that memorable childhood moment.O’Brien — born and bred in Accrington — has always yearned to tread the Anfield turf and since his first visit to the iconic stadium, there has been one scenario playing through his head.Mo Salah calls out Jamie Carragher after Liverpool legend urged him to ‘take a leaf out of Virgil van Dijk’s book’He said: “The main thing is the fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone.”Everybody dreams about walking out and listening to it.“So knowing I’m going to be there as a player and hear it, that’s what I’m so excited about.“That song makes you dream. I’ve always felt it gives you extra motivation. You go home thinking about that song and how you want to be playing at Anfield.”O’BRIEN’S SUSPENSION SCAREBut O’Brien has been sweating over Christmas and New Year because his ambition of facing his idols was almost dashed by a three-match ban.He picked that up for an incident in a League Two game against Salford last month.The defender was caught on camera kicking out at opponent Kelly N’Mai off the ball — an incident missed by the officials — and he was retrospectively suspended by the FA for violent conduct.Then Stanley’s Boxing Day game at Tranmere was postponed because of fog and last Saturday’s trip to Colchester was also in doubt owing to freezing temperatures before the referee gave the match the go-ahead — much to O’Brien’s relief.He said: “There were four games to go before the Liverpool match, so when Tranmere was called off it only needed one more postponement for my suspension to carry into the FA Cup match.“I was praying Colchester would go ahead but was sweating because there was a strong rumour it was going to be called off.“It’s a huge lesson learnt. It was a silly mistake to do what I did and not something I want to repeat.”BREAKING THROUGHO’Brien has been with Accrington since the age of eight and captained the club’s Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup.Last season he broke into Stanley’s first team as well as being capped by Republic of Ireland Under-21s.The defender is also a childhood supporter of  Stanley as a local boy and used to watch from the terraces — listing his two favourite moments as Matty Pearson’s extra-time winner to knock then-Premier League Burnley out of the League Cup in 2016 and the promotion to League One in 2018.He said: “I was there all in my all-blue Accrington tracksuit and ran on to the pitch to celebrate.”Regarding his ‘other’ team, O’Brien rates Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019, when they beat Tottenham in the final, and their Premier League success in 2020 as his two standout moments.His all-time idol is Gerrard because he was a leader who would either “smash one in from 20 yards” when the team was losing or “would smash someone in the tackle before going on a powerful run”.Now, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are his two favourite players in the current line-up.If either of those two feature, he will be trying everything to nab one of their shirts at the end — although he knows he will have to be quick with the whole Stanley team keen, too.’WE WANT TO SEE VAN DIJK, SALAH AND ALL THEIR STARS’Asked who he would most like to face, he laughed:  “Whoever is their worst player!“Please don’t give me Luis Diaz, though.“Seriously, we want them to play their strongest team. We want to see Van Dijk, Salah and all their stars.“This was the tie we wanted when the draw was made. To be involved in a match at Anfield between the two clubs I love is unreal.”ARN-BELIEVABLEO’Brien has been bowled over by the job Arne Slot has done since replacing Jurgen Klopp as boss in the summer.He said: “I was one of the rare ones in our fanbase. I felt we needed that fresh start — a rebuild.“I didn’t know too much about Slot but, wow, he’s impressive.”The League Two minnows are a whopping 86 places below the Premier League leaders in the English football pecking order.But O’Brien has a prediction.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I reckon Liverpool will win the treble — not the Quad, obviously, because Accrington can knock them out of the FA Cup!“We’re not going there to roll over, we’re aiming to win. Why not dream?”O’Brien is hoping to make an impact at Anfield More

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      Meet Tamworth captain Ben Milnes, 33, as he looks to down Tottenham with brutal ice bin routine

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      TAMWORTH captain Ben Milnes will have ice in his veins when he leads the National League minnows out against mighty Tottenham tomorrow.Which is hardly surprising for anyone who witnessed his chilling post-training ritual on Thursday night.Lambs skipper Ben Milnes will be dreaming it’s freeze and easy for Tamworth against Premier League giants TottenhamMilnes says his icy encounter makes him feel warmer on the pitchCredit: Roland LeonAs temperatures plunged to -4C, Milnes finished training on the frost-covered pitch at Tamworth’s ground The Lamb — then plunged straight into a wheely-bin full of icy water to chill out for five minutes!And Milnes, 33, reckons it is a brrrrrilliant way to warm-up for the biggest game of his career as it helps his body’s recovery process.While Premier League Spurs have state-of-the-art cryotherapy chambers at their plush Hotspur Way training ground, Milnes had to make do with a more humble container and several bags of ice.As  the temperatures plunged after part-time Tamworth’s only training session of the week, Milnes told SunSport: “It makes it feel warmer when it’s this cold outside.READ MORE TOTTENHAM NEWS“I do it after every Thursday night training session before games.”Most people reckon that tiny Tamworth, who are 2,500-1 shots to win this year’s FA Cup, have snow chance of creating one of the biggest upsets of all time tomorrow.But the part-time Lambs will be going flat out to put on a show in the hope of making Spurs chairman Daniel Levy’s blood run cold.Milnes goes into bat for Tamworth looking to hit their visitors for six and turn Aussie Ange Postecoglou’s FA Cup dream to “Ashes”.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBecause the midfielder could just as easily have been playing professional cricket instead of trying to make Spurs stumble on a sticky wicket. In fact, his cricket-playing brother will be at The Lamb roaring him on.Non-league clash suspended with players taken off pitch as advertising board sparks safety fearsThe Tamworth skipper said: “My younger brother Matt Milnes plays cricket for Yorkshire.“He played for England Lions a few years ago when they toured Australia.“He could have gone on to represent England but he’s had a few bad injuries over the last couple of years including a stress fracture of the back and hasn’t played much recently.”Milnes was also a big hit at cricket as a youngster and for a while it was touch and go which career path he would choose.He added: “My dad Mark played football and cricket and I played both when I was  younger too.“I played for Notts Academy and the Midlands age groups, so I was at a decent level.“But when I was around 14 or 15 I had to choose which route I wanted to go down and I chose football, while Matt chose cricket. Cricket is too slow for me. “Matt will be here for the game. He also came for our Boxing Day match against Forest Green. I go to watch him whenever I can, too.“One of the biggest games he’s played in was when they won the Twenty20 final with Kent a few years ago — but I was playing for Buxton at the time and missed it.Tamworth boss Andy Peaks hopes it’s all pointing to an upsetCredit: Roland Leon“I haven’t managed to get  to too many of his biggest games but the really big games are always on TV  so I am able to watch him most of the time.”Milnes — who runs a financial planning business with his wife — admits he is living the dream right now after bagging a hat-trick of footballing titles on the spin in the last 2½ years.He added: “I’ve won three in three which is not bad. “I won the Northern League Premier Division with Buxton, then joined Tamworth and won the Southern League Premier Division, then followed that up by winning the National League North.“I don’t think I’m going to keep that record going in the National League this year.“But it was always going to be pretty hard to beat three titles in three years.“If we stay up this year it will definitely feel like winning another title.“When you consider the teams we are coming  up against and their  facilities, budgets and players with league experience then it would feel very special.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But beating Spurs would feel like winning a hat-trick of titles all over again in 90 minutes!“Occasion-wise this is definitely the biggest game I’ve ever played — even though realistically it’s not the most important because the league really is our bread and butter.” More

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      Ange Postecoglou opens up on playing on pitch covered in TOADS as Tottenham prepare to brave 3G Tamworth turf

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU will bid to stop Tottenham’s FA Cup hopes croaking on Tamworth’s plastic 3G pitch on Sunday.But that is nothing compared to the surface the Aussie and his South Melbourne team once played on in Fiji — which was infested with TOADS.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou doesn’t worry about Tamworth’s plastic 3G pitchCredit: AlamyPostecoglou has had worse than Tamworth’s pitch ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup matchCredit: GettyIn 1999, Postecoglou’s Aussie side travelled to the Pacific Island for qualifiers ahead of the inaugural Club World Championship and found a ground littered with the amphibian critters.But they showed enough Kermit-ment to reach the finals  a year later and faced Treble-winners Manchester United in Brazil.Postefroglou . . .  sorry, Postecoglou recalled: “Warming up, there were toads which kept jumping on the pitch. At the time, you’re kind of going, ‘Really?’“But when you realise what was at stake — a fair bit of money and the opportunity to play at the Maracana against some of the best teams in the world — it was quite extraordinary.”Read More on FootballThat game 26 years ago was the Oceanic final of qualifying against local side Nadi at Prince Charles Park. South Melbourne won 5-1 and went on to play United, Vasco da Gama and Necaxa of Mexico.The gap between Postecoglou’s Melbourne team and United is similar to the 96 divisional spots between Tottenham and National League Tamworth.United won 2-0 but it was much tighter than had been expected.And the Aussie knows players can pull a ribbit out the hat for the biggest game of their lives.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPostecoglou, 59, added: “We were a semi-pro team playing at the Maracana against the great Manchester United. So there was a fair difference between us.“But qualifying for that tournament probably destroyed our domestic season because players didn’t want to risk getting injured.Ange Postecoglou proud of patched-up Tottenham’s win over Liverpool “We ended up losing but we gave a decent account of ourselves and some of my players, probably played the best game of their lives.“You know Tamworth have had a couple of defeats recently. It’s probably because their mind has been on this game.“What we’re going to face on Sunday is players hoping to play the best game of their lives.” More