Semi-Final dates

Whether it is the FA, ITV, Setanta or the Met Police, who made the decision on scheduling the forthcoming FA Cup Semi-Finals at Wembley, take a bow. Take a very big bow.

With respect to Hull, in all likelihood, Arsenal will be playing Chelsea in one match, Everton up against Manchester United in the other. Two northern clubs, two London clubs. Acknowledging that the FA has to fund Wembley and television's input in wanting both matches to be broadcast on different days, I've no issue with splitting the games across the weekend. But to then decide that you'll play the 'local' London derby on the Saturday, and the North-West version on the Sunday evening at 4pm, is plain crackers. Whatever those witty opposition fans say, the bulk of United's travelling support will be from the North-West and not Devon or South Wales. Even more of Everton's support will be drawn from that corner of England. So given the appalling state of our network rail infrastructure, you're looking at potentially some 60,000 people travelling back north via the M40, M1 and M6 on a Sunday night. And you just know the Highways Agency will have some major roadworks scheduled on the M6 that night don't you?

So, all-in-all, a very good call. The television directors have long since shown their lack of respect for the football fan who actually goes to watch a match live, but I would have thought that the police of all those involved would have preferred being able to get the Northern half of the draw out of the way on Saturday. Playing on the Saturday would have seen people stagger their journeys to the capital across the weekend for example.

Roll on extra-time and penalties.