| High-flying Bees could sting Mick’s Black Cats BY LARRY COONEY
 Griffin Park could
witness a possible FA Cup giant-killing act this Saturday when high-flying
Championship League One side Brentford host Mick McCarthy’s struggling
Black Cats.
Although both sides will be buoyed by victories last weekend, all the
pressure is sure to be with the relegation-haunted Premiership side who
will be keen to avoid the embarrassment of a confidence-sapping FA Cup
banana-skin.
The west London-based tie will also have considerable Irish interest with
former Republic of Ireland U-21 internationals Jay Tabb and Kevin O’Connor
out to impress against Premership opposition which includes defender Gary
Breen and possibly new Republic recruit and striker Liam Lawrence. The
Championship side managed by Martin Allen have been enjoying a good season
so far and currently lie just four points off leaders Colchester.
Following their impressive 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Allen took his
side away for two days to Abu Dhabi.
Allen said: “This trip gave everybody a chance to relax, get some
sunshine and be together and enjoy each other’s company without
the intensity of preparing, and of course playing, in football matches.
“All our players were absolutely terrific against Huddersfield and
I have already set in motion an appeal against Ricky Newman’s sending
off.”
 The
dismissal of team captain Newman for an alleged elbow on Chris Brandon
was the only disappointment of an otherwise impressive performance as
the home side battled to a 2-0 victory despite their numerical disadvantage
after only 18 minutes.
Battling qualities were also much in evidence at the Hawthorns where Mick
McCarthy’s Sunderland at last reaped the reward for their efforts
with a deserved 1-0 victory over West Brom.
Although Anthony Le Tallec’s winner off a Steve Watson deflection
may have looked untidy, the importance of the goal cannot be overstated
for the Black Cats who will travel to west London confident of progressing
to the FA Cup fifth round.
Central defenders Gary Breen and Stephen Caldwell are set for another
tough test while Julio Arca and Liam Lawrence will need watching by the
Brentford defenders.
Brentford’s attack has been bolstered this season by the signing
of former Yeading FA Cup hero DJ Campbell who has impressed since moving
to Griffin Park. Campbell scored the second of Brentford’s goals
last Saturday and could also team up alongside Owusu and Kevin O’Connor
this Saturday.
However the performance of Jay Tab in Brentford’s midfield could
be of most interest to Irish fans as he challenges Martin Rowlands for
a possible place in Steve Staunton’s Republic line up. The Bees
were very disappointed not to account for Southampton in last year’s
competition and will be keen to take a Premiership scalp on this occasion.
However Sunderland should do enough to avoid defeat and force a replay.
Verdict: Draw
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