No anthems is a national disgrace at Carling Cup

By Robbie Savage

Published 22:58 23/02/12

Why Rafa is not the gaffer Chelsea need

Psycho left his mark on me... let's hope he does the same with England  

Even though I'm a Wrexham fan, I wish Cardiff all the best at Wembley this Sunday.

Unfortunately, I think the only way they'll win is if the Liverpool team bus fails to turn up.

The Bluebirds are a stylish outfit under Malky Mackay but the gulf in class - and old boy Craig Bellamy hunting his first English honour - will be too much for them.

What infuriates me if the Football League's decision to scrap playing the national anthems of England and Wales before the game in case they are booed.

I know it goes on at internationals, but I'm not convinced it would have done on this occasion.

It's another knee-jerk reaction which suggests that football is running scared of a tiny minority of headcases.

**

What happens in the stands at the Emirates on Sunday could be almost as important as what happens on the pitch.

Arsenal are still no pushovers at home but I still fancy Tottenham to pile on the Gunners' misery with a win - especially if Emmanuel Adebayor, whose assists have been even more valuable than his goals, is fit to face his old club.

If Spurs are well in control late on it then becomes all about how the home fans react to Arsene Wenger.

The frustration is building up and defeat against the old enemy, almost guaranteeing Tottenham's first finish above Arsenal since 1993, could see it spill over.

As I wrote last week, I would still like to see Wenger either mount a massive reboot of his side or choose to move upstairs with dignity.

But that should be a choice for him in the summer - and not one he is forced into making on Sunday night with catcalls ringing in his ears.

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