Some quick points

Evening all

I have a few issues, and, as always at the moment, am short on time

Firstly, the most pressing issue is the Ashley Cole injury - I know it's a fairytale (or some sort of fictional account) that Wayne Bridge could be called up to play alongside Terry (his arch-nemesis!!!) but can we be serious for a minute here? A week ago most commentators didn't even expect Bridge to make the squad...now he's first choice? This is a man who's played about 2 hours in over 2 months, and has struggled with form all season - Fabio picks on form, not potential, and the fact that Bridge is now a contender shows how weak we are at left-back currently

Bridge is a shoe-in if Cole isn't fit because our only other proper left-backs are Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock, personally I'd want Baines with Cole, but it shows an incredible frailty within the squad, although Cole is easily one of the best left-backs in the world, so maybe we have too-high standards

Next I have some issues with the media - number 1 - 'innocent-party' Bridge has not said a word - does he even care?? I bloody don't...

2) Terry was not dropped on 'moral' grounds, and it's not about English sensibilities - it's about our media and the fact that Capello is a wise man and didn't want his figurehead plagued by a media scrum during the tournament, the English press, unlike their European cousins, are bloodthirsty and love a good sex scandal, nobody is offended that he cheated (except his missus of course)

Ok, that's off my chest, moving on to this weekend...

Chelsea are considered red-hot favourites (BBC) now that the other big four teams are gone and it's only the fifth round, but the way I see it, there are still 16 teams and that gives quite good odds of Chelsea going out to a 'cupset' - normally we'd have another 2 or 3 of the big boys left, one upset is to be expected, so I just see Chelsea as the last pin standing - so I don't expect a waltz to the trophy from here, and although they only face a weakened Cardiff without Terry and Cole, they've been pretty patchy lately, a tricky away tie in the next two stages could give us an interesting result

So the big question is...who will win? Surely Villa, Spurs and City are the only serious contenders, and if not them it'd be an amazing result...Bolton for the cup?

Personally I think it's Villa's time

edit: and also - in response to the Euro 2012 qualifiers - is it just me or is it somewhat easier than the world cup draw, despite using the same system? There's only one extra spot to be won, but I don't really see any bad groups, England's hardest ask is mighty Switzerland, while Portugal only have to deal with Denmark...oh wait

Seriously though, I just can't see any really tasty groups, aside from the odd local derby few decent teams face a threat - although looking at it I think it's solely down to there not being three good sides in our group and Croatia effectively moving to the ridiculous group 2, maybe it's just a bit more even this time, but I'm sure France can cock up Bosnia and Romania...again

So in conclusion - 24 teams is going to be a joke...but Scotland will at least get a play-off