15-02-2018, 21:15
![[Image: DSC_0350.jpg]](http://s13.postimg.org/9xb1yumnr/DSC_0350.jpg)
No way past Wile, Batson and Statham for Southampton at the Hawthorns, 10th March 1979
For fans of ill omens, the FA Cup has a habit of doubling up fixtures on us in quick succession. In 2012 we had to play Norwich in both league and cup within a fortnight, and contrived to lose both. In 2015 we played Villa twice in a week, and lost both. This year sees us do it against Southampton, having already lost the first effort, and with our team still injury-hit there's every chance we may make it three in a row.
Still, after team-building in Barcelona this week, maybe Albion can surprise us all. The league is fast getting away from us, so the cup seems as good a consolation as any. Having already done for Liverpool, as we did fifty years ago, can we also replicate the heroics of '68 by giving the Saints their marching orders too?
The Crown, Lords & Commons are the Crown, Lords & Commons of Rusty Lane, West Bromwich. In the heart of the empire on which the sun never sets, in the land of hope and glory, is Rusty Lane, West Bromwich. What do they know of England who only England know? The answer must be Rusty Lane, West Bromwich.