Sunday sees
Tottenham play their final ever FA Cup game at White Hart Lane with Millwall standing between them and a place at Wembley.
On paper it may look like a straight forward win for Mauricio Pochettino’s men but the famous competition has already thrown up some notable shocks so far in 2017.
Millwall have already knocked out three Premier League sides on their way to the quarter-finals and a fourth scalp would see them seal a semi-final place for the first time since 2013.
In fact, the Lions have been at Wembley for a FA Cup semi-final more recently than Spurs, so write off Neil Harris’ team at your peril.
Here are five things Spurs can expect from the visitors.
In-form team Millwall are uneaten in 17 games in all competitions, a run stretching back to December 17.
During that time Millwall have knocked Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester City out of the FA Cup, while moving themselves into the League One play-offs.
The Lions were victorious in their last game, with Lee Gregory’s 90 minute penalty sealing a 2-1 win over MK Dons.
Harris’ side were far from their best against the Dons but the sign of a good team is one who picks up victories when not at their best.
Mean defence Ben Reeves’ goal for MK Dons on Saturday was the first goal the Lions had conceded in 10 games.
Goalkeeper Tom King and his defence will be disappointed the run has come to an end, especially given it was a 20-yard strike, but it is still a run to be extremely proud of.
The run started in the 1-0 win over Watford in the fourth round of the cup, and it also included their late one goal victory over Premier League Champions Leicester in the previous round.
Millwall possess two no-nonsense centre backs in Byron Webster and Jake Cooper and no chances are taken with the ball in defence.
In today’s game many teams like to play the ball out from the back but Harris’ side keep it simple and clear the lines when the ball comes to them.
Direct play Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld better be prepared for some long ball coming into their box on Sunday afternoon.
Throughout Millwall’s win over MK Dons on Saturday their defence looked to get striker Lee Gregory in behind the visiting defence with long clearances.
It worked on a number of occasions but unfortunately for the Lions they couldn’t capitalise on the openings.
Harris introduced striker Steve Morison just prior to the hour mark and he was targeted by his teammates on a number of occasions due to his height and physical presence.
Spurs fans will know Morison from his time in the Premier League with Norwich and if he plays the Lions will look to use his height to cause problems for the hosts.
Fine detail Fine detail is the difference between success and failure.
Harris said after his side’s victory at The Den on Saturday that their fine detail had been exemplary in recent weeks, with the only blot on their copybook coming from Reeves’ goal.
The manager had made it clear to his players what he felt about the goal at half-time and they won’t want to risk the wrath of Harris again.
However, Sunday is a totally different prospect for his side as they come up against the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.
Fine detail will be key on Sunday and if Millwall play as they have done since the turn of the year they will be fancy their chances.
All pubs in the area have been told no opening before 12pm
