[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Going into this weekend, it remains a miserable statistic that the last time Albion beat a Premier League team in the FA Cup, we'd never even played in the Premier League ourselves. The win against Leicester on 26th January 2002 was the beginning of a long, long curse against top-flight opposition in the cup, and one I'd love to see us break on Saturday.

Beating Swansea should give us a massive boost. The team seem confident, Brown Ideye is playing like a whole new man, and it could be that a burgeoning strike partnership with Saido will be our secret weapon in the last few months of the season. West Ham are the stronger team on paper, but recent form has seen them slip into the role of draw specialists, and I'm hoping that our continuing renaissance under Pulis - now standing at just one defeat in eight - will give us the momentum to get past the Hammers and into the quarter-final draw.

As ever in the cup, a bit of luck wouldn't go amiss. But when all's said and done, it'll be two decent sides - either ultimately capable of lifting the trophy if things go their way - giving the competition the respect and commitment it deserves. I'm looking forward to it.

Classic Match

West Bromwich Albion 3-0 West Ham United

Football League, First Division: 30th October 1976

Only recently unearthed this footage of a resounding home win against the Hammers under Johnny Giles; listen closely for an early (and very slow) rendition of The Lord's My Shepherd towards the end, and enjoy the sight of Mervyn Day having a bit of a nightmare in goal for West Ham.

[talkSAFT]

Love the shirts....
and Frank Lampard hasn't aged much over the years, has he!

[valpayne]

Yep that's the shirt I had when I was 8 and still have it now but for some reason I can't get it on anymore

[Northwalesbaggie]

Dear God. I Have been good. I have kept the Faith & visit the Shrine whenever possible. Please can you turn back the clock so that we can have Len, Bomber et al back playing for us?. Thank you Lord. Amen.

[aries22]

Our team then had fantastic pace unless that tape's been speeded up! What a fantastic left-foot pass by Tony Brown for Albion's third goal, and yes, a great shirt.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The movement of that side in general is astonishing; the very first attack ends with John Wile up front shooting for goal! Total football!

[DanTheSmethwickMan]

Foster
Gamboa Dawson Olsson Pocognoli
Fletcher Gardner
Sess Morrison Berahino
Ideye

[valpayne]

It is amazing seeing them play so quickly from front to back and bear in mind pitches were worse back then and boots heavier This is the time I first used to go and see them play and this is why I chose Albion for my team cos my dad, brother and uncles and aunts were all Villa fans lol! They're not talking to me at the moment
Also this is when I first started playing football and the formations were different it was LB RB 3 midfielders I played no6 then 5 up front 1 centre forward 1 inside right and inside left and the left and right wingers simply marvellous You can see why they called TB Bomber can't you but they were all quick

[wba_1996]

We've got a new Bomber Brown now, and he is finally starting to look the part

[drewks]

It'll be interesting who TP picks to play up front in this one. Can't see him risking Saido, and with Big Strong Vic out yet again will he even risk Brown Ideye? The lack of forwards we have could start to be a big problem.......obviously TP doesn't fancy him but was it wise to let Samaras go out on loan??