Ray's predictions come true

By Stephen Eighteen
April 2 2004

Millwall assistant boss Ray Wilkins has a knack of guessing the next opponents in the FA Cup, but this time around no-one asking who Millwall will face in the final should they get there...which is just as well as there's the "little" matter of Sunderland to negotiate.

It will hardly come as any great surprise that Ray Wilkins knew that Millwall would face Sunderland before it was even drawn out of the hat.

There was never any point in bribing draw maker Sven Goran Eriksson or warming any of the balls because Millwall’s assistant manager had it all worked out as he has done throughout the competition.
Let us look back at a couple of post-match quotes for evidence.
First off, this is what he had to say having squeezed past Walsall in the Third Round: “I'd like to go as far as we can, and I'd sooner have Telford here, and lets see if we can beat Telford and progress, but everybody would like to play against one of the big boys at their stadium, I suppose, but I would prefer to play at home against the weakest team we can possibly play.”
Then after beating Burnley in the Fifth Round: “A home tie against Tranmere would be very pleasant. It's not being disrespectful to Tranmere but I want our lads to go as far as they can and experience a cup run because it is a great feeling.
“The FA Cup is an amazing tournament, and if we can get that opportunity to go further by playing the lowest side left in it as far as league-wise is concerned, then that's the team I want.”
Okay, the Telford comment may have been inaccurate in location, but with at least 40 teams still in the draw, it was still an amazing co-incidence, not to mention getting Tranmere spot on.
And though he never went on record, Wilkins had a feeling that Sunderland would be the Lions’ next opponents.
He told Southwark News: “I got lucky with the draws. I had a feeling for Sunderland after the season Manchester United had had. I thought that to crown it all off they would draw Arsenal, and I thought we’d get Sunderland, and it’s given us a chance.”
Wilkins believes that his side needs to relax on the day.
“A cool head for this match is a necessity, and I am sure they will do their utmost. It’s vital in the cup that they be as calm as they can.
“Dennis Wise has been there before and a couple of lads have played in the LDV Final at Wembley, so that will hold them in good stead. This is a massive game and I hope they enjoy the day.”
Everybody knows about Wise’s playing pedigree, but Wilkins has also been an FA Cup winner on the pitch – for Manchester United in 1983.
The former England midfielder scored a right-foot curler in the Final against Brighton and Hove Albion, and played in the replay that the Red Devils won 4-0.
“From a playing side it was a great achievement, but I have had my day. This is about these young men and I hope they do us proud.
“You’re in the playing side which is an absolute dream and it’s the best feeling in football, but it’s always nice to see it happening as a coach or manager.”
Wilkins was in charge of the QPR side that knocked Millwall out of the cup at the Fifth Round stage in 1995 – the year of their last good run.
And although Rangers went out to Manchester United in the Sixth Round at Old Trafford that year, Wilkins is hoping for better luck this time around.
“Both sets of players don’t need motivation because the carrot is so big. The FA Cup is the best cup competition outside of the World Cup and European Championships.
“Getting to the final this year would mean just as much as it did in 1983.”