The draw for the FA Cup semi-finals on Monday reminded me very much of 1976 when Manchester United and Derby were the big teams left in hoping to draw either Crystal Palace or ourselves.
When it didn't happen United manager Tommy Docherty said the real final would be their game.
It was just as well because he didn't have too good a day on May 1, I'm pleased to say.
This year, amazingly, any one of three Nationwide teams are sure to get there although I did think that Millwall would have won their home tie with Tranmere.
Dennis Wise, my old apprentice at The Dell, has surprised a few people with his success so far and I thought that he would have taken the penalty which surely would have got them through.
But no doubt Dennis will inspire his Millwall team to pull out all stops in the replay.
Sunderland, of course, have been there before and it would be a fitting tribute to Bob Stokoe, who died recently, should they get there again.
Like us all those years ago, they were relieved to have avoided the big two, this time Man Utd and Arsenal.
March 13th 2004
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