West Ham were the last club from outside the top flight to win the FA Cup, 24 years ago. And it's 12 seasons since Sunderland became the last team from outside the tip division to reach the final, beaten 2-0 by Liverpool.

But the way the draw has panned out, this could be the year of the underdog. At least three lower division sides are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, and there could be as many as five non-Premiership teams in the last eight.

Sheffield United reached the FA Cup semi-final last year and were only denied a draw against Arsenal by David Seaman's wondersave.

Their manager Neil Warnock is still a master of psychology as he prepares for Sunday's fifth round tie at home to Colchester.

"Because of our injury situation, you can't really call Colchester underdogs," says Warnock, who could be without 11 players with Ashley Ward, Steve Kabba and Jack Lester definitely ruled out and Michael Tonge doubtful.

"A lot of people thought we might not repeat last year's achievements but we have come through difficult draws against Cardiff and Nottingham Forest and want to get as far as we can.

"But we've got a good side in the treatment room. I've only got two fit strikers - so I've told Wayne Allison and Paul Peschosolido there's a good chance I may pick them!"

Brian Flynn pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup shocks of all-time when he led Third Division Wrexham to a 2-1 victory against reigning champions Arsenal in 1992.

So what chance his Third Division Swansea reaching the last eight by winning at Tranmere on Saturday?

"I'm sure Brian Little at Tranmere sees the tie in the same way as I do, it's an opportunity to reach the last eight," he says. "We played 10 games against Premiership sides at Wrexham in the 1990s and only lost three of them."

And Swansea have Lee Trundle, who is becoming something of an FA Cup cult figure. "I was 24 when I turned pro but I'm not surprised how well I've done. Whatever level I play at, I believe I will score goals."

Tranmere boss Little is the last English manager to have won a major trophy, guiding Aston Villa to the 1996 League Cup.

He is glad he is becoming recognised for more modern achievement now. "It was a case where people wondered what had happened to me. If I can take Tranmere to the quarter-finals, they will start to realise," he says.

If anyone is to break Premiership domination, West Ham and Sunderland might be the best bets although both face top-flight opposition. West Ham's manager Alan Pardew scored against Liverpool for Crystal Palace in their legendary FA Cup semi-final in 1990.

Burnley travel to Millwall. Burnley boss Stan Ternent used to coach opposite number Dennis Wise at Chelsea and says: "Win, lose or draw I will have a beer with Dennis afterwards. I think he has every chance of being a top manager.