The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Fourth Round Proper Replay
Saturday 27 January 2007
Winning clubs will receive £60,000
Fourth Round ties - Click Here



After overcoming Leicester in the Third Round of the FA Cup, Fulham face Stoke City at the Cottage on Saturday afternoon and Liam Rosenior is determined to make this a Cup year to remember.

"The FA Cup means everything to me, it’s the reason I wanted to become a footballer," Rosenior told FulhamFC.com.

"I remember watching FA Cup finals and they provided so many great memories. It’s the best domestic competition in the world and I’m proud to be a part of it and I want our Cup run to continue this Saturday.

"I think the people who say The FA Cup has lost some magic are not football people. Any player, especially here at Fulham, wants to play and get to the Final. It’s brilliant for the players and supporters and I don’t see why we can’t do that this year.

"I watch the draws live and I was nervous as we were last out of the hat for the Fourth Round but I was happy that we were drawn at home. That’s the beauty of The FA Cup. You don’t get in any other competition and now we’ve got to make it to the Fifth Round."

Saturday’s home tie is sure to be a lively affair and Chris Coleman’s side will not be underestimating the threat their visitor pose at the Cottage, as Rosenior explained.

"I know all about Stoke’s coaching staff because I was with Tony Pulis at Bristol City. Mark O’Connor used to coach when I was in the U16’s and now he is part of the First Team squad. Stoke like to get the ball down and play good football. They’re going well in the Championship and they’ve got good players at the club.

"It’s going to be similar to Leicester and hopefully we won’t concede as many goals and we’ll go through to the Fifth Round, but it’s going to be a big game. Every game is the same for me. I go out and try and put in the best performance I can, whether it’s in the Cup or the League. When you’re a player you’ve got to play to your maximum in every game."

Rosenior's Cup ambitions are built on memories of the competition from his formative years,as his father Leroy reached the Semi-Final with West Ham as a player before experiencing the competition as a manager.

"When West Ham got to the Semi-Final, my Dad was part of that and that was massive for me. When he was manager of Gloucester City they had to play the qualifying rounds. So to get to the First Round is an achievement for many teams in the lower leagues. It can also provide them with the finances for the next few years.

"It’s a great spectacle as you never know what’s going to happen. It provides so many memories for not only the big teams but the lower division sides.

"The Manchester United versus Arsenal game stands out for me, when Ryan Giggs scored that unbelievable goal from the half-way line. Bes’ save was another moment - which he still goes on about to this day!"

Rosenior firmly believes Fulham have the capacity to go all the way in the Cup this year but the defender remains focused on taking the competition one game at a time, starting with Stoke City on Saturday.

"We should be looking to do well this year. We’ve beaten every team in front of us and there’s no reason why we can’t get to the Final this year. I said to Browny that he could be lifting the Cup this year and I believe that. We’ve got good enough players to go and win something this year. A home draw gives you a great chance to get through.

"It would be special for everyone but we need to take one game at a time starting with Saturday’s tie against Stoke. I’m looking forward to trying to win it, that’s the only way I can go into games."