Newcastle United have an FA Cup tradition to match the best in the land, and with a 800-mile-plus round trip to Plymouth the day after New Years Day ... we don't want to get to Home Park (like we did at Peterborough in the Carling Cup) and see a team of kids.
Money is tight on Tyneside, and if Chris Hughton is going to 'throw in the towel' with a team selection that shows no respect for the competition or the fans ... what is the point of making the trek?
Bob Moncur also hopes that Hughton does not not devalue the FA Cup by fielding a weakened team in their third-round tie at Plymouth Argyle.
Moncur: “It’s a big decision, but you have to pay the competition respect.
“In the old days the FA Cup was massive for every team, and the more teams that field weakened sides in the competition, the more tradition disappears from it.
“It’s something that has always been very special to me and one I always wanted to win.
“My advice is to give the competition a real go – see how far you can get.
“Yes, there is a risk of injuries if you get extra games, but that’s the same in the league.
“Cardiff got the final a couple of years ago and Millwall have been to a final too.
“Who knows if Newcastle can?
“But you certainly can’t get there unless you field a strong team.
"What they can’t do is go down to Plymouth and not take it seriously – there will still be the full quota of United fans just after Christmas and that’s the most important factor on a day like that.
“It’s a long way from home!
“I know that – I was manager there and I know the journey in store for the Newcastle fans.
“The Plymouth fans will be looking at this as some light relief from their league struggle and will fancy a shock.
“They’re delighted to have Newcastle.
“It’s a tie that Newcastle have to treat in the way they would any league game.”
FA Cup Third Round
Tottenham v Peterborough
Brentford v Doncaster
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
Stoke v York
Notts County v Forest Green Rovers
Huddersfield v West Brom
Sheffield United v QPR
MK Dons v Burnley
Chelsea v Watford
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham
Preston v Colchester
West Ham v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Portsmouth v Coventry
Sunderland v Oxford/Barrow
Wigan v Hull
Everton v Carlisle
Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace
Tranmere/Aldershot v Wolves
Blackpool v Ipswich
Fulham v Swindon
Stockport/Torquay v Brighton
Scunthorpe v Barnsley
Southampton v Rotherham/Luton
Bristol City v Cardiff
Reading v Liverpool
Staines/Millwall v Derby
Plymouth v Newcastle
Leicester v Swansea
Bolton v Lincoln
Accrington/Barnet v Gillingham
Manchester United v Kettering/Leeds