FA Cup 4th round: Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

WHEN it comes to cup competitions, Sheffield Wednesday manager Ron Atkinson and goalkeeper Kevin Pressman haven't always seen eye to eye.

But you can bet that, following the burly Pressman's heroics at both ends of the pitch in the FA Cup third round replay against Watford, those differences have long since been forgotten.

The keeper first of all left Watford's Micah Hyde inconsolable by beating away his strike during the drama of a penalty shoot-out.

Then he promptly stepped out of the firing line, on to the hot spot and rammed home Wednesday's winner himself in devastating fashion.

But, some seven years ago, the word devastating took on an entirely different meaning for the keeper during Atkinson's first reign at Hillsborough.

It was the 1990-91 season and Pressman had played the first half of the campaign as number one choice but then lost his place to Chris Turner.

With Wednesday going all the way in the Coca-Cola Cup, it was a bitter blow.

Atkinson recalled: "On cup final day as we walked out before playing Manchester United, I will always remember saying to Pressy: 'I bet you feel gutted now, don't you'.

"He said: 'As it happens boss, yes I do'. So I replied: 'When you get your chance again you had better take it' and full marks to him, since I came back he has played very well.

"People talk about England and, obviously, if anything happens to any of their keepers, then Pressy must have a chance."

Tim Flowers, of course, might have something to say about that and, with the next England squad due to be named soon and David Seaman a likely absentee through injury, the Rovers keeper is knocking on the door again. But Pressman, who did well to keep a clean sheet against Rovers on Boxing Day, after they put seven past him earlier in the season, believes he has learned from those bygone days when his role at Wembley was as a mere spectator.

"I have changed since Ron's first spell here. I used to get upset if things didn't go my way," he said.

"But I am a lot more laid back now. I take things in my stride.

"All I can do is my best, maintain my standards and hope that people take notice whether at England or whatever."

Whatever happens when Rovers and Wednesday clash in tonight's FA Cup fourth round tie at Hillsborough, Pressman won't be expecting as much drama as when the Owls squeezed through the third round against Watford.

Though you never know. When Sky televised the Premiership clash between the clubs at Ewood earlier in the season - Rovers scored seven.

Wednesday and Watford had not managed a goal between them in 120 minutes of replay action at Hillsborough the week before last.

But the keeper ensured the penalty shoot-out went his team's way and he surprised many people with the power and quality of the spot kick he took, saying: "I just try and belt the ball 80 yards and hope the net stops it!

"I never volunteered to take a penalty, the gaffer just came up to me and told me I was taking the fifth one.

"There were no arguments, no options - I just got on with it.

"But I think there must have been a rumour going around about the one I took at Wolves (in another penalty shoot-out) so that's probably why he picked me as one of the five.

"It was certainly different, because as a keeper you live by making saves and you die by making mistakes.

"It was also nice to score but to get the winner in front of the kop as well is something I will never forget. It will live with me for a long time. "But there's no secret. I imagined I was taking a dead-ball kick."

Penalties, of course, will not be needed tonight and Pressman, like Flowers, will be happy to let his team-mates concentrate on scoring.

The two keepers will also be hoping to impress Glenn Hoddle but, if the England coach has his Carling Opta statistics to hand, he will already be aware that Flowers is well ahead of his rival in the queue for places.

Interestingly, they both have an identical shot-stopping record with a save-success rate of 68 per cent but Flowers has the upper hand in all other departments.

He has been immaculate in his handling, claiming all 31 crosses he has come for, while Pressman has dropped seven.

Flowers often elects to punch rather than take chances and has made double the number of his rival, while he is also in front in terms of accurate distribution.

Hopefully, the Rovers man will still be way ahead in all respects after tonight.

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