FA Cup – Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?

Who's Hot and Who's Not?

With a few games ending all square we only have a few winners to choose from. Fulham were fairly clinical in the way they despatched their League Two opponents. Portsmouth had a rare moment of joy when they saw off their South Coast rivals in emphatic style in the end and Chelsea were as ruthless against Championship opposition as we all thought they would be.

I am going to give the award this week to Birmingham City. They have had a remarkable run in the Premier League and facing a potential banana skin at Championship Derby, especially after going 1-0 down, they showed spirit and class to come back and get the win. They are having a truly wonderful season.

You can’t criticise the likes of Southampton, Notts County or Cardiff for getting thrashed by Premier League opposition, so none of them will even come close to getting this award.

I’m going to give it to Manchester City. The honeymoon period for Roberto Mancini would appear to be over. They have reverted to their old inconsistant selves and a team with their class should not be drawing at home to Stoke.

Not for the first time I’m giving this to Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. He made two or three excellent saves in the game against Tottenham and his penalty save frpm Tom Huddlestone was probably the easiest of the lot.

He makes so few mistakes that he is right up there with the best in the league.

I never thought I would say this but the ‘Not Hot’ keeper this week is Aston Villa’s Brad Freidel. He is one of the best keepers in the Premier League and has been for a few seasons now, but he was at fault for both Crystal Palace goals yesterday.

The first goal saw him flapping at a corner and failing to get off the ground and the second goal saw him beaten from thirty-six yards. It was a fantastic strike but a top keeper shouldn’t be beaten from there.

I’ve been a big critic of James Collins in the past but since his move to Aston Villa he has started to look like a decent defender. He was ecxcellent against the combative Alan Lee yesterday and he chipped in with a good headed goal as well.

I’m still not totally convinced but credit where it is due.

I have to apologise to Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross for giving him this award. He is a fine young defender but the comical way in which he gave Manchester City their goal on Saturday means that I have no choice.

The man of the match in the Palace against Villa game was Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose. Five years ago he was a really hot prospect playing for the England under twenty-one side, but since then, things have gone a little downhill.

He was excellent yesterday and his strike from thirty-six yards was as good as anything Cristiano Ronaldo has ever hit.

I know he is highly thought of at Bolton and also within the under twenty-one ranks at England but I just can’t see what Fabrice Muamba brings to the game. I would love to be proved wrong but I just can’t see how he is a Premier League midfielder.

He is much maligned by opposition managers but I can guarantee that no defender enjoys playing against Bolton’s Kevin Davies. For years he has been the most fouling and fouled player in the top league and he gives defenders a torrid time. He is not just a big strong bruiser who is good in the air, he is also a decent footballer.

He certainly gave Dawson and King a tough time yesterday and fully deserved his man of the match award. As well as his expertly taken goal he led the line as well as anybody could have done.

Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee had a decent game against Villa and gave the Premier League back four a tough time. The reason I’m giving him this award is because he was so lucky to get away with a yellow card when he threw a nasty, vicious and cowardly elbow into the face of Steven Warnock. Luckily for Warnock it struck him on the top of the head.