One win, one draw, one defeat. The nature of the FA Cup means that one of us, Sunderland or Blackburn Rovers, must finish on top following our quartet or quartet+replay of clashes this season. Glen Mullan*, seen above with a lady he’ll forgive us for calling very much the better half, is as Rovers as they come, Blackburn born and totally committed to his club. He suspects Saturday will produce a winner: a 1-0 victory, but for whom he isn’t sure. In truth, we all probably want a great cup run, but most of us – maybe all – want Premier football even more.
Glen, who posts at Vital Blackburn Rovers, part of the Vital Football Network but also enjoys trawling the sites of other clubs’ fans, offers a vision of Newcastle tumbling through the leagues – pause for expressions of sadness all round – and explains why, despite his implacable allegiance Rovers, a strict view on home town support condemns his sons to follow another team……

Sunderland yet again – fourth game, three of them away (for you). Can you face yet another gone against us?

A bit sick of playing Sunderland; had you a few times in cup in recent years. Rovers have a very good record against all the North-eastern clubs especially away from home. I’m sure this will be a tight game and I’m not expecting a classic.

Football romantics wanted Sunderland v Blyth but they might settle for either of us winning the cup. What chances either club?

Both clubs, like anyone, have a chance in the cup this year, I think a lot depends on the kindness of the draw. Once you get through to the quarter final stage in recent years the cup draw has opened up nicely for the so-called smaller clubs. An example of this is the all-Premiership ties in the earlier rounds, which allows lower division clubs the opportunity to progress. At the quarter-final stage these are the type of teams you want to be drawn against knowing a victory will put you one match away from Wembley.

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