FA Cup Sunday, 4th Round: Open Thread

While there were very few shocks in the FA Cup yesterday, today holds more hope that a top club may get knocked out of the illustrious tournament. On television we have Arsenal against Huddersfield, Notts County versus Manchester City and Fulham against Tottenham. Each of those games have important historic ties.

Notts County, founded in 1862 (see picture above of their stadium), is steeped in history. It’s the oldest football club in the world that is still professional. Juventus modeled their shirts after Notts County. And it’s also the club that Sam Allardyce managed before he was plucked away to manage at Bolton Wanderers. More recently, Notts County was in the headlines in 2009 when Sven-Goran Eriksson became the director of football at the club where he signed Sol Campbell.

Today they’re home against Manchester City. Of course, Eriksson is no longer at County or Manchester City, but Notts County’s manager now is Paul Ince. Needless to say, the match will be a must-see for the neutral.

Speaking of history, Arsenal and Huddersfield share a massive piece of history together and that is namely Herbert Chapman. One of the most successful managers in the history of Arsenal, Chapman managed Huddersfield before the Gunners. In five years as manager at Huddersfield Town, Chapman won two league titles and a FA Cup trophy. While Huddersfield were flying high, Arsenal were looking for a new manager. At that time, Arsenal had been fighting relegation for the previous two seasons and the Arsenal chairman had put a restriction on spending. Nevertheless, Chapman saw the opportunity and decided to join the club as manager. And the rest is history. Chapman transformed Arsenal into the club they are today. Under him, they won two league titles and a FA Cup trophy.

And then we have Fulham against Tottenham, the London derby staged at Craven Cottage, one of the most beautiful grounds in England.

And that’s just the history part of these three matches.

In other FA Cup matches today, Wolves play Stoke, while West Ham are home against Nottingham Forest.

As always, post your observations, rants and questions in the comments section below before, during or after the FA Cup matches today.