Giantkiller Micky Thomas last night hit back at critics who claim the FA Cup has lost its glamour and declared: "It's still the one the players want to win."

The former Albion midfielder is relishing another weekend of drama in arguably the most famous domestic knockout event in the world.

He admits, though, that the excitement is unlikely to include defeats for two of his former clubs, Chelsea and Manchester United, in tomorrow's big fourth round ties.

Thomas, whose sizzling free-kick helped Wrexham cause one of the greatest shocks of them all against Arsenal 11 years ago, said: "The FA Cup has still got all the glamour.

"I know the Premiership is important but ask anyone where they want to be and they will say the FA Cup final.

"I find it disappointing when people knock the Cup. It's a great competition.

"In fact, even better than the semis and the final are these games where the little teams are trying to cause an upset, things like Shrewsbury knocking out one of my old clubs Everton in the last round."

Chelsea head to Shropshire for tomorrow's clash of Third Division strugglers and Premiership high-flyers and Thomas expects them to avoid any mishaps.

He said: "I think Chelsea are a better team than Everton. I have spoken to Shrewsbury manager Kevin Ratcliffe about it. He will wish for a horrible day and that Chelsea's foreigners won't fancy it but there is only going to be one winner.

"It's very difficult to pull off that second shock result. When I was at Wrexham, we beat Arsenal but then lost to West Ham in a replay in the next round.

"That was disappointing because we could have won that game as well.

"Beating Arsenal was one my career highlights. After losing to them in my only FA Cup final with Man United that was payback time, but every Cup game is enjoyable."

Thomas follows United home and away for Manchester-based Century 105.4 radio station but will not expect to be talking about a West Ham win when he takes the mic at Old Trafford tomorrow.

He said: "West Ham are having a horrific time but they did beat United a couple of seasons ago with a Paolo di Canio goal. It won't happen again.

"As for Farnborough, it would be a minor miracle if they beat Arsenal. I was disappointed when they took the game to Highbury."

Thomas, who had 23 games for Albion in the early Eighties, is revelling in his media career after a turbulent few years at the end of his playing career.

He said: "I do every United game and I love it. It's the next best thing to being out there playing.

"I'm very fortunate in that I do every game and I travel with the team to all the games in the Champions League.

"I've only been back to Brighton once since I left them but it's nice to see Steve Coppell turn them around.

"It's a hard job for him and but they have got good support and there are some lovely people down there."

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