Postecoglou's Spurs to visit part-time club in FA Cup

There were oohs and aahs when Ange Postecoglou discovered who his Tottenham Hotspur team are playing in the FA Cup third round draw.

The north London giants were sent to take on Tamworth, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition. They play at the 4000-capacity Lamb Ground in the fifth tier and their footballers are part-time.

The only tie that had a louder response came when holders Manchester United were handed a trip to Arsenal, which was hardly a surprise as the BBC staged the draw at Old Trafford with United fans in attendance.

Other plum fixtures were Salford City, owned by a group of ex-Manchester United players including David Beckham, drawn away to Manchester City, EFL newcomers Bromley going to Newcastle and tiny Accrington Stanley given a trip to Anfield to play Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Tamworth are one of two non-League clubs left in the competition and manager Andy Peaks, who was in the room, was thrilled at the draw, which guarantees global attention, live television coverage, and a good payday for his club.

"Absolutely brilliant, we're delighted," he said.

"It'll be a great atmosphere, one we can really look forward to."

Postecoglou will probably be just as pleased as his superstars ought to make light work of their opponents who sit 101 places below them, being 16th in the National League.

Tamworth have already knocked out two third-tier clubs - Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, but Peaks admitted this would be "a different test".

Spurs fans have a strong relationship with the FA Cup having won it eight times, but not since 1991 when Terry Venables' team beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the final.

While he has won several league titles Postecoglou has had limited success as a manager in national cup competitions, with the 2023 Scottish Cup triumph with Celtic his most notable.

Last season, his first at Spurs, the team lost to a late Manchester City goal in the fourth round.

The 59-year-old Australian has pointed out he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club, but with inconsistent form in the league meaning they are already 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool that will need to be in a cup competition.

The draw was made by former Manchester United players Mark Hughes and Dion Dublin.

Besides Arsenal-Man U, there was one other all-Premier League tie with Aston Villa hosting West Ham United.

THIRD ROUND FA CUP DRAW:

Southampton v Swansea City

Arsenal v Manchester United

Exeter City v Oxford United

Leyton Orient v Derby County

Reading v Burnley

Aston Villa v West Ham United

Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion

Manchester City v Salford City

Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge

Liverpool v Accrington Stanley

Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Preston North End v Charlton Athletic

Chelsea v Morecambe

Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers

Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion

Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic

Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur

Hull City v Doncaster Rovers

Sunderland v Stoke City

Leicester v Queens Park Rangers

Brentford v Plymouth Argyle

Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday

Newcastle United v Bromley

Everton v Peterborough United

Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth

Birmingham City v Lincoln City

Leeds United v Harrogate Town

Nottingham Forest v Luton Town

Sheffield United v Cardiff City

Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers

Fulham v Watford

Crystal Palace v Stockport County

* Ties to be played from January 10-13 (AEDT)