Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

On Twitter:, external View from away dug out at Croft Park. Live on @bbc5live, external #bbcfootball Blyth v Birmingham

Keep 'em coming, folks!

Rory Nolan: Served Rio Ferdinand at a shop I worked at - we discussed the rowing that was on 5 live in-store.

Edem Blewuada: Spoke with Wayne Routledge about strict teachers at Queen's Golden Jubilee at my primary school . he used to be a pupil there.

Terry McCann: Met David James once buying a painting. Sadly he didn't drop it, making it a better story... though I note the bloke who owned the shop couldn't wait for him to pay and leave while it was still intact!

Even though it's tomorrow lunchtime, broadcast engineers have already descended on Crabble Athletic Ground to set up in time for Dover v Crystal Palace:

Image source, @DoverAthletic

FA Cup third-round weekend refreshes the parts other competitions can't reach.

"Everyone has a Football League performance in them."

What a wonderful mantra from Chrissy Waddle. You should have that painted on the changing room walls of your local Sunday League outfit...

Former Newcastle and England winger Chris Waddle
at Blyth Spartans for Football Focus

"When you're a lower division team you hope your players play well. Everyone has a Football League performance in them - there may only be four or five a season, which is why they're not professionals.

"But if they deliver and the bigger team underperforms, that's where your shock result comes from."

This moment must feel a long time ago to Wigan fans.

Image source, Getty Images

The 2013 FA Cup winners followed their success with relegation and now under the management of Malky Mackay, sit 23rd in the Championship.

They will be without the suspended Callum McManaman for today's trip to Bolton as he starts a three-game ban.

Stat: Wigan are unbeaten in their last 13 FA Cup matches (W10 D3) excluding penalty shoot outs.

Former Southampton, Stoke and Gibraltar defender Danny Higginbotham
at Blyth Spartans for Football Focus

"My cupset prediction? The pitch has never been the greatest at Tranmere and Swansea like to get the ball down and play. I think Swansea will rest a few for this game and that could give Tranmere an opportunity."

Stat: The Swans have gone eight FA Cup matches without a clean sheet.

Cambridge United have called a pitch inspection for 13:15 GMT ahead of today's FA Cup tie versus Luton at the Abbey. It has been pouring down for the last couple of hours.

Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough could make changes to their side when they meet Barnsley at Oakwell.

Aitor Karanka's side are fourth in the Championship ahead of their meeting with the League One outfit.

"I have to transmit to the players that they have to play with the same motivation as them and play with our usual intensity and style," says Karanka.

"We know we are better than them, but we have to play in the same way as we do in the league."

Stat: Boro have won none of their last four FA Cup matches away from home.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live has eight hours of FA Cup action to shout about this afternoon.

Right now, Mark Pougatch presents all the build-up to the afternoon's 17 ties and your chance to listen again to John Motson's top 10 FA Cup third round shocks until 13:00.

At 15:00, there's full match commentary of Blyth Spartans v Birmingham City with updates from all the other games.

On the final whistle, it's Sports Report with all the news from across the afternoon's action before Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage take over with 606 and the chance for you to have your say on the day's big stories.

Former Southampton, Stoke and Gibraltar defender Danny Higginbotham
at Blyth Spartans for Football Focus

"What a tie for AFC Wimbledon. All the pressure is on Liverpool. And the first half hour is so important. If Wimbledon get in their faces and stop them playing then the game is anyone's. There's a real cup upset on the cards there."

Former Newcastle and England winger Chris Waddle
at Blyth Spartans for Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

"Adebayo Akinfenwa is called The Beast, and right so. If you want to fight him there's only one winner. But he's not the most mobile, so you have to get in front of him and anticipate the ball. For an hour, Wimbledon have to hustle and really try and upset Liverpool."

Dan Walker points out that on your copy of the computer game Fifa, The Beast has a 97% strength rating...

With managerless Newcastle in action against Leicester today, we want to know who you think is the best candidate to replace Alan Pardew at St James' Park?

Have your say by voting now at the top of the page. The vote will close at 13:30 GMT and terms and conditions can be found here.

Former Newcastle and England winger Chris Waddle
at Blyth Spartans for Football Focus

"I don't think Steven Gerrard had any other option. I think he's been forced out. He's never come to an agreement with the club and this doesn't look right. This should have been sorted out months ago. It's a shame the Premier League is going to lose him because he's still such a talent.

"How are Liverpool going to replace Gerrard? He's going to be a massive loss unless they've got somebody lined up to replace him. And who out there is as good as Steven Gerrard?"

Former Southampton, Stoke and Gibraltar defender Danny Higginbotham
at Blyth Spartans for Football Focus

"Steven Gerrard's influence on the pitch is massive but his influence on the dressing room is even bigger. Youngsters will look to Gerrard for a hand. I do think he's been forced out. He's been offered a contract but sometimes an offer is just thrown at you, knowing you're not going to take it. I do think he's been forced out.

"It's obvious he's not going top stay in England because he doesn't want to play against Liverpool. But the MLS is an unforgiving league and there will be a lot asked of him there. But he will certainly never play for another Premier League team."

A few more of your non-footballing conversations you've had with famous footballers via #bbcfootball, external

Stuart Tebbutt: Met Samuel Eto'o at a petrol station, he was looking confused and nearly put diesel in his Aston Martin. Showed him the right one.

Charlie Pilkington: Spoke with Tony Adams about Cirencester Cricket Club and the pavilion redevelopment project we're undertaking.

Alice May: I know that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's favourite chocolate is Magic Stars.

What do you do if you top the Championship, the riches of the Premier League are growing closer, yet you have an FA Cup tie?

Go for it or as has become fashionable rest your players?

Bournemouth, who top England's second tier, face Rotherham and after doing reaching the quarter-final in this season's League Cup, manager Eddie Howe has no intention of easing up.

"We would love a run in the FA Cup," says Howe. "The one we had in the League Cup did us no harm at all. In fact, if anything, it started the really good run of form we have been able to maintain."

Stat: Rotherham have won just one of their last 23 FA Cup matches against teams from the top two tiers of English football.

Football Focus

Blyth Spartans manager Tom Wade talking to Dan Walker: "It's a massive day for the club. The Third Round is always very special. For Blyth, this is a money-spinner, but for the players and management it's a chance for us to pit our wits against professionals and find out if we're as good as we think we are.

"We're buzzing, and of course we do have a bit of a chance."