4th December 2003: Cup runs and
promotion hopefully go together for the Baggies these days. It was
the quarter-finals of the FA Cup two seasons ago and the equivalent
stage of the Carling Cup this season. As the competition is concluded
earlier in the season, it is probably a better bet to go far in the
Carling Cup, but will it have a detrimental effect?
My gut feeling is that it will have a positive effect as winning becomes
a habit - we are now eight games unbeaten in all competitions. I also
feel that our squad is strong enough to cope with the extra games,
something it was not two seasons ago. I really feel that a semi-final
appearance in our last promotion campaign, which would have been on
the weekend we won at Bradford, could well have had a major impact
on out promotion chances.
The other obvious benefit is financial. With something like £750,000
gained from last night, and with a good chance that the next tie against
Arsenal also being selected for live TV coverage, that's a significant
boost to the coffers that could be used for another good addition
to the squad.
Hopefully, the lack of extra time and no travelling will mean that
the post-Cup win fatigue will not affect the players as it did after
the last round, because three points against the Hammers on Saturday
will be a big, big bonus.
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