View: Portsmouth may have missed potential six-figure sum after FA Cup draw
Portsmouth may have missed out on up to a six-figure sum due to the FA Cup third-round draw, which will no doubt disappoint the hierarchy at Fratton Park.
The 2008 FA Cup winners were drawn to visit League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers in a tie to be played in mid-January, missing out on a potentially lucrative home tie.
A Fratton draw against one of the Premier League’s top six or a South Coast derby against Southampton would have almost guaranteed the tie to be televised, bringing in a sum which could exceed £100,000, plus a sell-out home and away crowd of over 20,000.
Portsmouth must beat Wycombe for chance at money-spinner
With Wycombe one place below Pompey in the EFL but in different divisions, the two clubs have had very contrasting seasons.
The Chairboys will be confident of pulling off what would probably still be considered an underdog success, while the FA Cup is in Pompey’s DNA – Harry Redknapp 16 years ago remains the last English manager to lift the trophy.
The Blues know that passage to the fourth round, which will hold just 16 ties, maximises chances of a big hitter coming to Fratton Park.
One of Arsenal and Manchester United will be eliminated at their first hurdle after drawing one another, but the rest of the ‘big six’ have very winnable ties on paper, while Southampton host Pompey’s last opponents Swansea City.
Rewinding back to the 2008-09 campaign – in which Pompey competed in the UEFA Cup following the FA Cup win – and the memorable visit of AC Milan to PO4, another massive tie at Fratton would do wonders for the fanbase in a tough season.
And, certainly, not to mention the board and the club’s bank balance.
In other Portsmouth news, a message from Sir Alex Ferguson which could resonate with the Blues’ academy.
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