Hot Prospects: 13 English young players to watch in 2012 is a post from: Just Football

Who says there's a dearth of English talent coming through at youth level? After disappointment for England's youngsters at international level in 2011 here are 13 youngsters tipped for great things in 2012 and beyond courtesy of Aidan R, editor of England Football Blog.

P TIMES PG 1 Southampton 42 2 West Ham United 41 3 Cardiff City 35 4 Middlesbrough 32 5 Leeds United 31 6 Leicester City 29 7 Brighton & Hove Albion 29 8 Blackpool 27 9 Reading 27 10 Crystal Palace 27 11 Birmingham City 26 12 Hull City 25 13 Derby County 25 14 Burnley 24 15 Barnsley 24 16 Peterborough United 22 17 Millwall 22 18 Portsmouth 21 19 Watford 21 20 Bristol City 20 21 Nottingham Forest 20 22 Ipswich Town 18 23 Coventry City 13 24 Doncaster Rovers 13

It may only be the 3rd round, but the FA Cup's draw has produced some real crackers.

Sixty-four sides still have the potential to reach Wembley on cup final day, and 32 matches will be played to see who progresses into the fourth round.

Here are five of the best ties to look out for:

Birmingham v Wolves

This Black Country derby isn't possible in the top flight this year following City's relegation last season, but the Blues have done well both domestically and on the continent under Chris Hughton.

While the demotion of Manchester City and Manchester United from the UEFA Champions League to the second-tier Europa League has been very well documented, the Premier League leaders have company when it comes to failure in Europe this season.

The London pairing of Fulham and Tottenham did not even make the final 32 of Europa League and with Championship outfit Birmingham out of contention as well, Stoke is the only other side representing England in the competition.

By Chris Wright

Photo: PA

Things that girls know that boys have apparently failed to embrace #32: It is never acceptable to wipe one's nose on one's blouse. Not even when you've consumed a container ship's worth of champagne and couldn't locate your nose with a map. Image: MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images.

A title that truly embody's the spirit of this post.

The strangest football gifts - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Football fans are geniunely interested in buying the weirdest things if they are carrying their favorite club's logo. Even if they have never used anything like it before but they must have it!

Two years ago, we did a little research and collected the weirdest football merchandise from around the globe and a particular jester hat in Barcelona colors got a lot of attention.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City look to avenge their loss to Cardiff City over the weekend in their game against Hull City on Wednesday.

Not so long a go, Ellis Short offered Steve Bruce a four year contract to help quieten the murmurings in the media of Bruce's strong contention for the England management job. This was despite the fact that Bruce had seemingly only had modest achievements in his twelve year managerial career, with the only tangible success's being two promotions from the championship with Birmingham City (sandwiched between relegation).

Confirmation of the live televised matches for the Third Round of the FA Cup came early this year, and while there was no great shock in the Manchester derby a match which has, arguably, taken on a heightened level of importance given the events in the Champions League last night, even if it still isn't the main even of either teams season it was a little surprising to see that the decisions were taken by both ITV and ESPN before next weeks Second Round replays had even been played.

Jonathan Spector went the distance in Birmingham City's tough loss to Hull City in a midweek clash with surging Hull City.

Jonathan Spector's Birmingham City take on Slovenia's SK Maribor at St Andrews tonight, knowing their Europa League odyssey will come to an end if they fail to win."We are making a good run of it, " Spector told NSC, "so hopefully we can advance to the group stage. We definitely want to make the most of this and get as far as we possibly can.

By Chris Wright

Presenting: The 'perfect fun gift for a Birmingham City supporting family member or friend who enjoys football banter with a Aston Villa fan'.

Now correct us if we're wrong here, but isn't 'banter' supposed to be, by it's very definition, a two-way thing?

By Chris Wright

Presenting: The 'perfect fun gift for a Birmingham City supporting family member or friend who enjoys football banter with a Aston Villa fan'.

Now correct us if we're wrong here, but isn't 'banter' supposed to be, by it's very definition, a two-way thing?

Jozy Altidore got the start for AZ in a 1-1 draw with Metalist. Both goals were scored in the 37th minute, advancing both teams to the next round. Adam Maher scored AZ's quick equalizer, with the club finishing ahead of Rapid Vienna on goal differential. Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City's 1-0 win over Maribor left them a point short of advancing to the next stage.

With the FA Cup third round just around the corner, let's take a look at how the cup was won last season.
Arsenal and Manchester City were given scares by Championship sides on their way to the fourth round. The Gunners needed a late penalty to earn a replay at Elland Road, while City were taken to a replay by Leicester City.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City were defeated by Crystal Palace in Monday night English Championship action.

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has dismissed suggestions that Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Manchester City has brought the Gunners closer to another season without winning any silverware.

While Koscielny and his teammates now trail the Citizens by a massive 12 points and also suffered Carling Cup elimination at home to the same outfit a few days ago, they still have the Champions League and the FA Cup to fight for.

Liverpool should take heed of the past and accept Luis Suárez verdict | Richard Williams

The Anfield club are not flattered by angry words which appear to contradict so much of the good work they have done in the fight against racism It is more than 30 years since Howard Gayle became Liverpool's first black player.

EPL on ESPN2: Manchester United - Wigan at 10am. On Fox Soccer: Chelsea - Fulham at 8am, WBA - Manchester City at 10am, Liverpool - Blackburn at noon, Stoke City - Aston Villa at 5pm, and Sunderland - Everton at 5pm. Championship on Fox Soccer Plus: Birmingham City - West Ham at 12:30pm. All Times Eastern