The undoubted tie of the round, we’ve drawn Dagenham away in the cup. But, do we want to win it?

Win
A place in the first round proper, back with our ‘own’. An opportunity to test our progress. A psychological blow to our closest rivals. But it’s another game we barely need though it’s the FA Cup, everyone wants to win the FA Cup. But it’s still a long way from anything remotely resembling an interesting tie.

Lose
If you’re the biggest team in the draw and you’re going to be beaten you might as well be beaten by the second biggest team. A clear head for the real objective of the season; do we want a energy sapping cup run, no matter if it ends in glorious defeat at The Emirates? But its more strength to the arm of the ne’er-do-wells who claim us fancy dans like us don’t like it up us. Undermining our flying confidence.

Draw
Another game, more niggle, fake rivalry.

On balance? A win. A draw with Nottingham Forest away in the 1st round. Then knocked out with a dubious last minute penalty.