Chelsea set for lower league task

For me the FA Cup doesn’t get going until the big boys are introduced in the 3^rd round and now that’s happened and the 4^th round draw has been drawn, throwing up some ties the minnows will be looking forward to.

‘the magic of The FA Cup’ that is so often mentioned before the bigger sides knock out the lower league teams is always evident, no more so than in the 3^rd and 4^th rounds.

The weekend the 26^th January will bring the next round of the Cup, following the replays to be played and there will be plenty of managers, and board members, rubbing their hands together at a tie against one of the bigger sides.

There are a few potential giant killings still on the cards.

Premier League side Chelsea are safely through to the 4^th round following a 5-1 away win to fellow top flight side Southampton but will be taking their stars to either Southend United or Brentford in the next round.

League One side Brentford and League Two outfit Southend will go head to head in a replay to secure themselves a tie against a club that has been a force in the cup in recent years, taking the crown in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Chelsea are favourites to take the crown again this season but the Bees and the Shrimpers will relish the opportunity to welcome one of the big teams to their ground.

Sam Jewell

Follow @sw_jewell