The FA Cup Fourth Round
Player of the Round Nominations

Neil Danns - Colchester United
Dudley Campbell - Brentford
Ed De Goey - Stoke City
Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United
Ricardo Gardner - Bolton Wanderers



28 January 2006
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Arsenal

Stelios Giannakopoulos strikes again to gain revenge for Bolton after last season's sixth round loss to the Gunners.

28 January 2006
Colchester United 3-1 Derby County

A Neil Danns double inspired Phil Parkinson's side to a memorable victory at Layer Road.

28 January 2006
Brentford 2-1 Sunderland

League One Brentford produce one of the shocks of the round to triumph over Mick McCarthy's Black Cats.

28 January 2006
Stoke City 2-1 Walsall

Luke Chadwick and Ed De Goey were the heroes for Stoke as they saw off a determined Walsall side.

29 January 2006
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Manchester United

With Rio and Rooney in midfield it was a new look United side, despite this they brushed Wolves aside comfortably.

Another thrilling weekend of FA Cup action presented our expert panel with an interesting selection of candidates for the Player of the Round award and by voting in our online poll you can win FA Cup tickets to the tie of your choice.

Yet again the drama of The FA Cup showed why it is widely regarded as the greatest club knock out competition in the world. And here are five players who are bidding to claim their place in the Cup’s history book…

Neil Danns (Colchester United):

The much sought after midfielder will attract even more Premiership scouts after another dazzling display against Derby. Danns’ two goals set them up for a comfortable win over their Championship opposition and a glamour tie against Chelsea or Everton awaits the Fifth Round.

Danns has also been hugely influential in the League One table toppers 18 wins in 20 games, with the self confessed Liverpool fan scoring 13 goals already this season. He was also on target in the Third Round to knock out Sheffield United. Colchester manager Phil Parkinson described Danns as “an invaluable member of my team.”

Dudley Campbell (Brentford):

It has been a fairy tale spell for the former non-League footballer. Days after grabbing the goals that knocked Sunderland out of the Cup, Campbell will be up against the world’s best after a transfer deadline day move to Premiership Birmingham City.

A year ago, Campbell was plying his trade with non-League Yeading. But after a summer move to Brentford, Campbell has proved his ability in professional football grabbing 12 goals already this season.

Brentford manager Martin Allen said: “Dudley deserves all the credit. There’s no limit to what he can achieve. With the dedication he has shown at the training ground and with the magic he has got - he's getting better by the week.”

Ed De Goey (Stoke City):

The 39-year-old proved he still has the ability with a stunning injury time save to help Stoke seal a 2-1 win against Walsall. The former Chelsea number one was a 60th minute substitute for the injured Steve Simonsen.

But despite only half an hour on the pitch the giant keeper, capped 31 times by Holland and a cup winner with Chelsea, was singled out by Stoke assistant manager Jan de Koning.

He said: “At 2-1 it's always tight but it was a great save for Ed. He's played so many times for Holland that he has the experience to cope.”

Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers):

The Jamaican international does not always get the plaudits his hard work deserves. But with Bolton’s Fourth Round tie against Arsenal heading for a draw, Garner’s pinpoint cross six minutes from time found Stelios Giannakopoulos to head in the only goal of the game.

It was Gardner’s moment of brilliance that lit up a somewhat dull FA Cup tie. Gardner was a constant threat to the Arsenal backline and it was no surprise he picked up the Man of the Match awards afterwards.

Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United):

Could Rio be the answer to Manchester United’s midfield problems? Playing out of position and facing a tricky tie away to Championship side Wolves, Ferdinand took it all in his stride and never looked out of place. His driving run from midfield help set up United’s opening goal as they never looked in danger at Molineux. Ferdinand has been in good goalscoring form recently and he will be looking to knock Liverpool out in the Fifth Round after his recent injury time winner against the European Champions in the Premiership.