Hull City (h) F.A. Cup Replay

The corresponding league fixture earlier this season was one of sheer disbelief as charvas protested at the Milburn steps. Fat and soon to be fat blokes went without beer and pies, and a managerless, directionless shambles of a club contrived to lose a game well within its grasp.

Fast forward six months and not a lot has changed. The protests are a distant memory and we at least have a manager. It’s also arguable that we have direction; however it is not the way we’d like to be going. The transfer window is open but to be honest we’d be better off if it were closed. The likes of Given and N’Zogbia have already indicated they’d be willing to jump ship whilst we have been linked to nothing more than championship/Rangers has-beens.

A less than favourable home fixture list awaits us for the remainder of our league campaign so whether you count progression in the cup a welcome distraction or an unwanted hindrance depends solely on your point of view. There seems to be a feeling of disenchantment not felt for over twenty years and normally optimistic fans fear the worst. The only word from the club coming after the Liverpool game to confirm that the deafening silence from above is going to be here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Team wise, Beye is getting several opinions on his injury but he is almost certainly ruled out for the remainder of the season. Viduka, Smith, Barton, Gonzales (anyone?), Ameobi, Martins, Carroll, Enrique and Taylor all join him in the treatment room. Xisco (anyone?) apparently scored in this fixture earlier in the season, appears to be at least 6th choice striker. So expect Butt to return and we have no recognised fullbacks so expect either Geremi and Edgar or possibly a first team start for the highly rated Kadar at the back. Ameobi I'm told, could make the bench.

Beyewatch prediction

1-1 (aet)

We never win on pens!