It's Time To Dream Again

[NE5]

They say that everyone who wins the FA Cup nearly goes out at some stage. You can certainly say that about last years final, the bindippers a minute or so away from losing the Final and coming out on top in the end on penalties at the end of extra time.

Whether this theory is relevant to Newcastle United, I don't know. We haven't won the FA Cup since I was less than a year old. Every year since we have looked like going out, and indeed have. On saturday we didn't really look like going out, in fact we should be through to another home tie in the next round. Whether Birmingham go on and win the FA Cup and consider the late equaliser by Seb Larrsson that decided their own particular destiny for this year is not yet known, maybe they will look back at that moment if they are walking around the New Wembly with the trophy held aloft in May.

Somehow, I doubt it. In fact its pretty much stating the obvious that I hope they come to a sticky end next wednesday at SJP.

What price Man Utd ? An injury time winner, in the first minute of 4 extra minutes may not fit with the "on the way out" scenario, but such fortune may indeed indicate their name is written in the stars, again. Hopefully not. What a shame that having signalled for 4 minutes of extra time for some reason - does this happen often at Old Trafford if they aren't winning ? - that Villa didn't equalise in the remaining 3. I have no idea who I would want to lift the trophy if we don't, at the moment my sights on firmly fixed on black and white ribbons of the striped variety.

2 years ago under the reign of Souness, all sorts of superstitions abounded. Chelsea won the league for the first time since 1955, and we hoped to complete a double by winning the first FA Cup since the same year. Especially after beating them in the 5th round courtesy of a goal by Fat Kluivert. It wasn't to be. Everyone breaks a duck and a curse, apart from us it seems. Somehow it seems that it would have been a complete miscarriage of justice if the miserable jock had lifted the FA Cup as NUFC manager, and gone down in history, undeservedly, as a "legend". The only legend deserved of such an accolade in the recent history of Newcastle United being a certain person by the name of Kevin Keegan.

Firstly, we have a replay. Maybe it is our year. Maybe we will be facing elimination with 5 or 10 minutes on the clock, equalise, come back in extra time and win, or win on penalties now we have broken our duck which began way back against Pecsi Dozsa November 3rd 1970 and ended at Vicarage Road, Watford on November 8th 2006. 36 years to the day almost. Maybe now we stand 180 minutes and 2 home games from the 5th round means it is our year. We have said this often, or I have anyway. The best scenario and finish being winning against ManU or Arsenal in the Final. Sweet revenge for our last 2 "performances" at the Old Wembley.

Bring in the New. Bring in change. And here's to success.

[TOONPIDGEON]

I'll raise a glass to that marra.



(insert drunken smiley thingy)

[Pilchard Chops]

oops

[LeazesMag]

dream over