Much as the achievements of the four lower-league clubs who've graced this season's last four should not be forgotten, I've got a feeling that, in my local at least, they won't grace the big screen, for long.

On Saturday, I reckon popular opinion will ensure that the Arsenal - Liverpool game, that kicks off at 12.45, will take precedence over the West Brom-Portsmouth game (as might the preceding races on the Grand National Card); and on Sunday, similarly, I reckon the calls for Everton-Derby on Setanta will win out over the Barnsley-Cardiff match.

The two games could both end up being 3-3 draws after 90 minutes, like Liverpool-Palace and Man United-Oldham in 1990, and I reckon 90% of even the pub-going population won't watch them live. Pity, really.

Rogin, most of us have decent locals, with more than one telly and more than one decoder.

Wrong. Decent locals, by definition, only have one screen. Any more and you're in Walkabout territory.

according to this article, one of the places you will not be able to see cardiff v barnsley on sunday is cardiff city centre

icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/cardiff-new...fans-91466-20701842/

anyway, like at least 3 other cardiff OTFers I should be getting quite a good view of the match

EIM - uncanny

EIM, please God never never ever....

Walkabout....<shudder>

This board is now tainted, unclean...

Nobody will give a shit about Everton v Derby.

Well, it's their loss, isn't it? I can't wait for these two matches, and they just had a report on Meridian News about Portsmouth supporters that had been queuing overnight for the last few available tickets.

I'm looking forward to the Cardiff one myself, I'll miss the other one as I'll be at another Semi, Bangor v Newport YMCA.

EIM wrote:


Not all. This was pretty much my local when I was living in Hackney, lovely boozer, decent beer and four screens. The last time I went in there, they were showing three games (Arsenal v Milan, Celtic v Barcelona & Lyon v Man U). Great atmosphere, even if a little rammed, but that's because it's an old style local, and not very big.

And I'll be suprised if they switch the semis off.

Everton v Derby is on Sunday because of the Grand National and is not on Setanta you'll be glad to know.

I knew you were going to put a picture of the Albion up there.

A great pub for watching football.