FA Cup Roundup

So a bit of good news, Sunderland, Cardiff, Bolton all advance. The downside, while making the bench, Wenger didn’t play Park Chu-Young in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Spurs. Here’s the roundup:

FA Cup 3rd Round Results
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Tavern points:

• Ji and Ki both got the start again. Ki needs rest, but the Blackcats were in need of his services, but on this occasion as a central defender. Ki didn’t look terribly comfortable in that position, had a hand in one goal conceded to Carlisle in a missed clearance, but other than that did his job adequately.  How did Ji do?  By most accounts (absolutely no TV coverage available), Ji did ok but nothing spectacular. Let’s twitterize his performance:

18′ Sunderland corner as Ji’s volley is deflected behind by Potts.

— Sunderland AFC (@SAFCofficial) January 5, 2014

@taeguk_warrior not really much to say. Run his socks off but didnt get the ball enough

— 스포츠동아 영국통신원 허유미 (@Rachel_Hur) January 5, 2014

 

• Poyet has shown willingness to play Ji (can I sound more pundit-like by stating the obvious?) with 2 starts in the last 2 fixtures.  Trying to read the tea leaves, taking off both Ji and Ki in the 63rd minute today – was that a move to give some rest before installing them in the starting XI for the 1st leg of the League Cup semifinal with Manchester United?  Moyes’ crew will be hopping mad after getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Swansea earlier today. Expect a hot time at the Stadium of Light. That date with destiny – Tuesday January 7 [2:45 pm EST].

Since Rachel was out there at the match for Naver, I asked her about the accuracy of transfer talk involving Ji:

@taeguk_warrior last time i asked Poyet he said the clubs are negotiating but agent says no January move likely. So not sure 🙂

— 스포츠동아 영국통신원 허유미 (@Rachel_Hur) January 5, 2014

and there you have it. Confusion, obfuscation – all the stuff of January transfer time.

• Lee Chung-Yong was rested, then came on for the last 19 minutes in Bolton’s victory over Blackpool. Not sure how Lee did other than this tweet not too long after he came on:

Off the woodwork from Lee! Curling effort following a corner kick from the Korean! (78) 2-1 #BOLvBPL

— Official BWFC (@OfficialBWFC) January 4, 2014

 

• I’ve been paying for lessons in Jedi mind trickery recently so I thought I’d put that to the test via twitter:

Let me see if my Jedi training paid off: (to Wenger): you will put Park Chu-young into the FA Cup game…Arsenal 2:Spurs0 in 2nd half.

— Roy Ghim (@taeguk_warrior) January 4, 2014

Just a twit sent too soon as Wenger burned his 3rd and final substitution, putting Ozil into the game instead. Jedi training = epic fail. Time to ask for a refund. Does it matter that Theo Walcott got injured and out for a few weeks?  I’m not playing that game anymore. Countdown to Park’s leaving north London…begin.

• The 4th round draw somehow was done while Sunday’s game was in progress. Odd. Anyway, an interesting one emerged: Cardiff will face Bolton, Lee vs Kimbo clash. Sunderland faces off against Kidderminster or Peterborough. 4th round action is on the weekend of January 25 / 26. {If Park Chu-Young is still with Arsenal through that weekend, the Gunners face off against Coventry City}.

Post Roundup: The Tavern writers are recording a podcast tomorrow, our first for 2014. Subject will be a bit more domestically focused, but we may have a surprise guest drop in. It could take a few days to edit and publish, so keep on the lookout on Soundcloud. Of course you’ll hear about it first at the Tavern.