By the time the final tie was drawn by Gareth Southgate, Saints fans new there were only two teams left in the pot, all that mattered next was who would come out first.

So we got the team that we perhaps least wanted to play in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup, but there was one good thing to come out of the pot and that was the 7th ball drawn was that of number 5 Southampton, so at least we will play Manchester City at home and now away.

But is it the worst tie we could have been dealt with, quite simply on paper probably yes, but on grass we have drawn with them twice this season, we might perhaps be one of the few sides to remain unbeaten against them in the Premier League.

So from this perspective we should not be too daunted by facing them at St Mary's.

Then there is the fact that City are still fighting on three fronts, the Premier League, the Champions League and this the FA Cup, this competition is the lowest on their priorities, they will arrive at the tie hot on the heels of a Champions League tie and will be hopefully being chased down by Liverpool in the Premier League.

OK I'm clutching at straws here, but we need every straw and help we can get.

The good news is that if we beat them we actually would have a very good chance of winning the competition having knocked out the favourites.

Full draw is

Crystal Palace vs Everton or Boreham Wood

Nottingham Forest or Huddersfield vs Liverpool

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

Southampton vs Manchester City

Photo: Action Images

ElijahK added 22:14 - Mar 3 Soo many are already seeing us as down and out after this draw, but I do think people have gotta realise that we were bound to get at least 1/2 of the “top 6” at some point in the cup run if we were to go all the way. And if we do beat them, well hopefully the semi can be a bit easier, but even then, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see one of Liverpool/Chelsea slip up, so we should get at least 1 more easier fixtures if we were to go the whole way. And even then, we’ve played Man City twice already this season and gotten a deserved draw, and a draw which arguably should’ve been a win with that blatant penalty missed out. But hopefully we can catch them off guard, as you don’t go undefeated against Man City in a season with no tactics/great performances, and if we can produce another, then why can’t we beat them? As we’re currently in great form, and if we can continue it for the Villa, Newcastle and Watford game, then why can’t we beat Man City?

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wibbersda added 22:31 - Mar 3 Once again the "big" clubs avoid each other. It's the same thing every year. I'm starting to turn into a conspiracy theorist!
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Centurion added 22:40 - Mar 3 If we are going to win the Cup, then we have to play one of the top clubs at some time. Rather play City at home than at Wembley. We have a good chance but need to play them with the momentum from winning games in the league.
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ElijahK added 22:45 - Mar 3 Sorry but why soo many keep going on about this all being scripted/corrupt/rigged, but as maths shows, it was only ever a 2/7 (28.6%) chance that they (aka Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea) got each other, which is far from being the equivalent of even a “coincidence” or such. Even then, yeah we’ve had a harder run this season, but last season was pretty easy for us, as other than the Arsenal game, all the other fixtures were ones that we were heading into confidently. So it’s only mathematically correct that we got one of the really hard teams around now.

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SanMarco added 23:07 - Mar 3 If it is a conspiracy then national hero Gareth Southgate Badger is in on it. Of the 14 different possibilities there were 7 I feared (the three 'big' clubs + Everton away (for obvious reasons) so it was basically 50-50 and we got the wrong 50 this time. The last two quarter final draws we were in were kind to us so we can't complain. Alright we will be favourites to go out but it is a big occasion to look forward to, We really ought to be TOTALLY safe by then so no excuses Ralph - play your strongest team available,

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carolinasaint added 03:51 - Mar 4 Elijah K--it's actually a 3/7 (43% chance) that two of the "big three" get drawn against each other: if, say, Liverpool comes out of the hat first, there's a 2/7 chance that Man City or Chelsea get drawn against them, but if they don't there's still a chance that Man City and Chelsea could be drawn together. Happy to bore everyone with the specific calculations if you like :) Of course 3/7 isn't that high a probability either. This sort of thing would have to happen round after round, year after year to be statistically unlikely enough to provide evidence of a conspiracy. Obviously, that information is available, but I have neither the time nor the inclination to research it and do the calculations. Mind you, after seeing crucial refereeing decisions regularly benefiting the "big six" and almost never harming them, it gives one pause...

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davidargyll added 07:41 - Mar 4 Let’s look on the bright side. Had we drawn Chelsea Armando would not be able to play…
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underweststand added 12:58 - Mar 4 OK.... between now and day of the game ...EVERYONE gets extra penalty practice.
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WestSussexSaint added 14:03 - Mar 4 I think two of the QFs will be evening games (Friday and Monday). Looking at our matches this season we have played 11 times under lights so far this season (all comps, home and away) and only lost one, at that was on pens in the league cup at Chelse after drawing in 90mins. At home so far the performances have been even better- P6 W4 D2 L0 including the draw against ManCity a few Saturday evenings ago. So here is hoping for one of the evening slots so the atmosphere at SMS will be huge.

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SaintPaulVW added 16:56 - Mar 4 We are playing well. As long as we are fit I would rather play them now while they have plenty of other competitions to distract them. Going to be a tough game and quite possibly go to penalties. Would have to beat either them or Liverpool or both if we want to win it so...bring them on now at home with a full strength team. COYR
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