Cheerily decked out in amber, confidence abounded in the hours before kick-off at Rodney Parade. “We’ve beaten Premier League and Championship teams before, we could do it again,” was the general idea. It wouldn’t be football without that gradual rise and then surge of hope before the match.
This is exactly what the FA Cup delivers. Forget Wigan, Newport and Bristol or Nottingham… hope and excitement, that’s the real road to Wembley.
It wasn’t limited to the hosts, either.
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Ten Hag: There was a good spirit
Travelling Manchester United fans bemoaned a lack of away draws in cup competitions just a few months ago.