FA Cup Fever @ Dean Court

FA Cup fever hit Bournemouth last week when the tickets went on sale for the Cherries FA Cup third round replay tie against Premier League side Wigan Athletic.

Cherries supporters queued for hours at Dean Court to get their hands on tickets and within the first day, all available tickets were sold.

A few more tickets were made available at the weekend, but they were also sold within a few hours, which should mean a capacity crowd at the Goldsands Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The first match at the DW Stadium was an exciting game with both teams playing good football.

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe made a number of changes as did Wigan manager Roberto Martinez and the Spaniard is expected to make a number of changes again for the replay.

Howe told the Daily Echo...

"They have to do what is right for them at the time. Every manager in the Premier League will have a different brief. For some, it will be to stay in the league and, for others, it will be to win it.

"At the end of the season, you are always judged on your league position rather than how you have done in the cups.

"Saying that, for a club like ours, a run in the FA Cup is very important and that is why we are desperate to try to get through. That is why we took the first two rounds as seriously as we did."

In all three matches of this seasons FA Cup thus far, David James has stepped aside for Shwan Jalal and the same could happen this evening.

Matt Tubbs also started the original fixture and could be in-line for a recall if Howe opts to rest first choice strikers Lewis Grabban and Brett Pitman.

Wes Thomas has yet to feature in this seasons FA Cup and could play after making a substitute appearance against Swindon Town, or Howe could choose not to cup tie him just in case he does depart Dean Court later this month.

Shaun MacDonald, Miles Addison, Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Purches and Charlie Sheringham all remain on the sidelines.

The midfielder scored the opening goal in the Cherries 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium and he will be looking to repeat the feat at Dean Court.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is expected to make a number of changes with his emphasis on using the FA Cup as a chance to blood in the younger members of his squad and give players who haven't played frequently a chance to impress.

Spanish defender Roman Golobart sees the FA Cup as a chance for him and other members of this team to impress and get experience.

If they can catch the eye of Martinez they could break into their Premier League squad.

Head to Head

Bournemouth wins - 13
Wigan Athletic wins - 14
Draws - 10

Last time out

The last time Wigan travelled down to the south coast was October 2001 in the Division Two. The Cherries won 2-0 on the day.

19th January 2013, Walsall Vs. AFC Bournemouth, 3pm.

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