FA Cup fourth round draw tonight – so what is the dream scenario for Millwall boss Gary Rowett?
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Gary Rowett says he is “not bothered” who Millwall draw in the FA Cup fourth round draw this evening.
The Lions booked their place with a 3-0 victory over Newport County on Saturday.
Millwall are the only South London club left in the competition after both Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace made exits yesterday afternoon.
The draw takes place tonight at 7.35pm on BBC1 and will be made by former Leeds manager David O’Leary and ex-Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott.
Asked if he had a preference, Millwall boss Rowett said: “I’m not bothered really.
“Sometimes clubs and fans look for the big games at home – as a manager you probably look for the opposite, the games that look the most winnable ties.
“Ties at home are the ideal ones and Saturday was one of those. If you do it right then there’s a good chance you’ll go through. That’s what is really key for us – just to try and progress.
“But I have no real preference. I’ve been a League Two manager playing big teams, I’ve been a League Two manager playing little teams – I’ve been away to places like Blyth Spartans where you look at it as a massive banana skin.
“I’m not overly bothered who we get. That’s the beauty of the cup – the anticipation before the balls come out and you’re just not sure what you’re going to get. That’s the great bit about it.”
The third round draw took place when Rowett was attending Millwall’s annual fans’ forum event.
“This will be slightly more relaxing,” he said. “Last time the whole evening paused for about 25 minutes and there was a lot of oohing, aahing, groaning and being excited going on.
“I’ll probably end up accidentally watching something else with my kids and then someone will be texting me saying this is who we’ve got. That’s probably the best way of doing it in some ways.”