Its Scottish Cup Week!

The league is dead, long live the Cup!

As I sit here reflecting on a nil nil draw against the team marooned at the bottom of the SPL, I could feel downhearted by United's inability to break down Dunfermline's resistance, I could even become dismayed by the fact we have now went 4 league games without a victory but I'm not. Why not? Because its Scottish Cup week and a trip to Inverness for United no less!

What is it about the cup that draws supporters from their slumber and the general malaise of SPL football? Supporter's Club Busses were full almost as soon as they were put on, the trains are jam packed and a good convoy of Arab packed cars will make the trip up the A9 to cheer on the tangerines.

Make no doubt about it, short of a last day relegation battle match up, United will take a support well in excess of double the number usually expected to make the journey up to Inverness. These fans will arm themselves with tangerine coloured attire, balloons, scarves and flags – hey, some will even indulge in a few party drinks en route!

It's the romance of the cup. It's that day when nothing else matters other than making a day out of your trip and praying you will see your team progress to the next round of the cup. What else could matter? The spark has no doubt been ignited by Manager Craig Levein's apparent ability to get the players to raise their games when it really matters and Saturday is one of those occasions. The usual Monday morning feeling of a slight regret about Saturdays result was replaced this week by a genuine enthusiasm for the week ahead. Its cup week, it's special and us Arabs can't wait.

So is the enthusiasm misplaced? Can we leave Inverness with our cup dreams intact? Why the hell not! ICT are a dangerous team, particularly at home and they showed on Sunday they are a match for anyone on their day but we have shown that we are also a match for anyone on our day and it could be that the passion from the stands is the vital spark that pushes the team onto victory. With Captain Marvel, Barry Robson, back in the team, all Arabs believe he will once again produce the goods for us like many other times this season.

All roads point towards Inverness this Saturday for us Arabs, so let's get behind the team and lift them up with our support and push them towards the next round of the Scottish Cup. I can't wait!