O'Neill - 'We Want Cup Success'!

Martin O'Neill vows to treat FA Cup seriously on Sunderland's 40th anniversary.

O’Neill insists that he owes it to Wearside ­supporters to send out a powerful side in Tuesday’s third round replay against Bolton as the club try to emulate the deeds of Wembley heroes such as Jim Montgomery and Ian Porterfield.

The Black Cats boss chose not to ring the changes for the 2-2 draw at the Reebok and named his strongest side as Sunderland’s 2013 FA Cup quest began.

Martin O’Neill: “When I heard that we were taking 5,000 fans down to Bolton, I don’t think it would have gone down well if I had fielded a weakened side or included a couple of very young lads.

“The competition is so important to us and we want to try and stay in it.

“Also, while it’s not the main reason by any stretch of the imagination, it is 40 years since the club had that magnificent cup run and lifted the trophy, so we have to pay that some respect.

“The busy Christmas period has taken its toll even on those clubs that carry big squads.

“But even if I had had more players, I wouldn’t have done it because this is the FA Cup and it is an important competition.”

Bolton/Sunderland v Cheltenham/Everton

QPR/West Brom v Sheffield Wed/MK Dons

Huddersfield Town v Leicester City

Reading v Sheffield United

Southend/Brentford v Chelsea

West Ham/Manchester United v Fulham/Blackpool

Crystal Palace/Stoke v Manchester City

Brighton v Swansea/Arsenal

Leeds/Birmingham v Tottenham

Millwall v Aston Villa

Middlesbrough v Aldershot

Hull/Leyton Orient v Barnsley

Derby v Blackburn

Macclesfield v Wigan/Bournemouth

Oldham v Mansfield/Liverpool

Norwich v Luton

 

Source: Sunderland-Mad