Wednesday, 05 February 2003.
Southampton will enter the Lions Den tonight knowing that their route to The FA Cup Fifth Round will by no means be clear cut against First Division Millwall.
The FA Cup Fourth Round Replay
Wednesday 5th February 2003, 7.45pm kick off
The Premiership outfit received a shock at St Mary's ten days ago when former Portsmouth player/manager Steve Claridge gave the south Londoners a 17th minute lead. And they were on the verge of victory until Kevin Davies, who scored three goals in six league games on loan at the Den earlier this season, snatched an equaliser in the dying moments to save Gordon Strachan's side - and wallet.
After the first game Strachan said: "I am very relieved. We played against a good Millwall side today, and I can't see if we were below par or if Millwall made us play like that."
"Every time we batter somebody, they always say 'that is the worst we have played this season.' I am not going to say that because that's an easy excuse. Millwall, made us play like that, so well done to Millwall." He told the Saints website.
But Davies' goal also stopped his boss having to reach in to his pocket. A Winner of the European Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen in 1983, Strachan and team mate from the famous victory over Real Madrid, Millwall manager Mark McGhee, became firm friends and their FA Cup meeting provoked a sportsman's bet between the two - The losing Scot buys the winner a meal.
But the form books favour McGhee's Lions. Millwall have not been beaten at the Den since a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on October 5th and their 1-0 over Sheffield United on Saturday ended the Blades ten league game unbeaten run and continued their own streak of six without loss.
Meanwhile, Southampton have only one victory in five, winning 1-0 at Sunderland on 28th January and have seen their own unbeaten home run disappear with two consecutive league defeats at St Mary's, first to Liverpool then Manchester United.
A tough game in prospect then for Southampton, but they are boosted by the news that goalkeeper Antti Niemi should be fit for the match despite being stretchered off late on in the United game on Saturday. Rory Delap will undergo a late fitness test on his calf strain, while other calf victim Wayne Bridge looks set to remain on the treatment table for two-weeks.
Strachan's Transfer window signing from Derby, Danny Higginbotham will be available after missing his old clubs Third Round defeat to Brentford through injury, but David Prutton, who also arrived last week from Forest, is cup-tied.
Millwall will be without captain Stuart Nethercott (groin), midfielder Andy Roberts (Achilles) and striker Ben May (shin splints). A twisted ankle will keep Neil Harris out of action for another two-weeks, but Republic of Ireland international, Steven Reid, returns after serving a suspension.
Log on to TheFA.com to see who comes out on top, and which manager must fork out for dinner. You can also catch the match live on Sky Sports.