Stoke City v Walsall
The FA Cup Fourth Round
3pm, Saturday 27 January 2006
Winning clubs will receive £40,000, televised clubs receive £150,000




Simon Osborn is breathing a sigh of relief that Walsall have made it to the fourth round of the FA Cup - after facing the embarrassment of going out at the first hurdle last season.

Walsall were on the wrong end of one of the shocks of the first round last season when they went out 2-1 to non-league Slough thanks to a late Glenn Harris winner.

It was Osborn and player-manager Paul Merson's first experience of playing in the First Round - and the 34-year-old midfielder is pleased they avoided a repeat this year.

Walsall take on Stoke, who only just avoided an upset against Tamworth (above), and Osborn told the FA.com: "Last year's FA Cup was not a nice experience because of the result against Slough. To be fair they did well but I am glad we have made it through at least this far.

"I remember speaking to the gaffer before the Slough game and neither of us had played in the First Round before, so it was pretty hard going out.

"Stoke is not impossible but it will be tough. They are not in the best form at the moment and we are confident, having got through three rounds already.

"We have had four games in the competition because of the replay against Barnsley and we have some experienced players in our squad."

Osborn has played for eight clubs in a 16-year-career including Crystal Palace, QPR, Reading and Wolves.

He experienced the build-up to a Wembley Final in 1990 with Palace just after signing professional forms with the club and played in the 1998 Quarter Final with Wolves - and would have played in the semi final against Arsenal if he hadn't been suspended.

He added: "Even though I wasn't playing in the Final when Palace played Manchester United, I was still part of the buzz around the club, such as the suit fittings.

"It is a great competition to be involved in and you can't beat the atmosphere in a Final. I hope we can get past Stoke and get into the hat for the next round.

"If we get into the next round, then just like everybody I will be hoping for one of the big teams - Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal."