IT'S that time of year again when small teams have the chance to become giant killers when the FA Cup third round kicks off in England on Saturday. And there are some great, fun matches scheduled and don't be surprised to see one or two of the Premiership sides go out. Last year Manchester United were given an almighty scare by non-league team Exeter which held Sir Alex Ferguson's side of superstars to a scoreless draw at Old Trafford. United then went and won the replay before eventually losing on penalties in the final to Arsenal.

On Sunday United have to travel to another non-league club ? Burton Albion which is managed by former Nottingham Forest player Nigel Clough, the son of the great European Cup winning manager Brian Clough.

I know United will probably be fielding a number of youngsters but you cannot field too many young players ? it has to be a nice mix. After all Burton Albion have absolutely nothing to lose and they will be playing at home in their small stadium which probably only fits a few thousand fans. And you know those fans will be cheering their team on with everything they have. Also you have to take into consideration the state of the pitch. At this time of year it could well be very rough with some ice on it which is not ideal for United's players.

There are two more non-league clubs going up against Premiership sides in an effort to reach the fourth round ? the last 32.

Nuneaton are at home against Middlesbrough while Northwich Victoria go up against struggling Sunderland. Good luck to them ? it is what makes the FA Cup so special.

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After Chelsea beat my old side West Ham 3-1 and Arsenal and Manchester United drew 0-0 over the holiday period, the Premiership champions would have to have an unbelievable slip not to retain their title. I suppose it has happened before but I really cannot see it happening. Chelsea would have to have a huge number of their players all out with injuries for some quite some time to let anyone catch them. Right now they are on 58 points compared to second-place United's 45 points. The title race, for all intents and purposes, is finished. Now it is a race for the four Champions League spots. Liverpool are right there with 41 points and they have two games in hand over United while Spurs are going great guns in fourth place with 40 points after their 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday. Arsenal meanwhile are fifth on 34 points.

Arsenal are not finding it so easy and that is because they are fielding so many young players. Sure those young players have a great deal of potential but you really have to have some experienced players in the Premiership ? especially at this time of year when there are so many games in such a short period of time.

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It is not just Newcastle who should be worried about Michael Owen's injury but England as well. The striker is expected to be out of action for 10 weeks after he broke a foot bone last Saturday playing against Tottenham.

But you never know with these injuries ? he could be out for longer ? it may not heal properly. Hopefully it does so we can see him in the World Cup for England this summer.

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With the January window open now for transfers, French midfielder Laurent Robert was one of the first to move when he signed a contract with Benfica ? it will be interesting to see how he fits in.

There is no question that Robert is a very talented player and has a golden left foot. But he has had trouble with his managers wherever he has gone.

He is moving to Portugal from Portsmouth which he had joined on loan from Newcastle.

He has been fined for bad behaviour at both Newcastle and Portsmouth and now has a fresh chance with Benfica. He will also be eligible to play in the Champions League with the Portuguese champions.

I can never quite understand players like Robert ? players who has so much technical ability but who also seem to cause so much trouble. It may have to do with the fact that they are earning so much money that they don't care. Hopefully he will settle down but don't bet on it.

Manchester United have just signed the Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow.

This could be a very good signing for United who were hurt this year when Argentina leftback Gabriel Heinze went out for the season with an injury. Vidic is only in his mid-20s and is a part of that defensive four for Yugoslavia, as I always call Serbia, which conceded just one goal in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

He is young and is obviously a strong player. It just remains to be seen how his temperment will be.

Real Madrid, who have injured striker Raul out for some time, just signed Roma striker Antonio Cassano.

Real are not having a great season and will be looking for Cassano to help them out. But like Robert he also has had problems with various managers so the jury is out on how well he will fit in.

Chelsea signed a player Jose Mourinho is familiar with ? the Portuguese play maker Maniche from Dynamo Moscow where I don't think he was very happy.

Veteran striker Chris Sutton is moving back to England to Birmingham City after a very good career at Glasgow Celtic. Sutton had great success when he played in England especially when he partnered Alan Shearer at Blackburn Rovers who won the Premier League 11 seasons ago.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez continues to strengthen his squad with the signing of Dutch defender Jan Kromkamp from Spanish club Villarreal.

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Football has been on constantly in my house over the holidays with Premiership games following each other all day! It has been great.

This weekend sees the start-up again of the Spanish and Italian leagues which took their normal winter break so it will be nice when I can watch Ronaldinho with Barcelona again!

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It was very nice to be awarded the MBE during the New Year's Honours last weekend. It makes me happy to have people thank you for what you did. I plan to go over to London to receive it but I don't know when that will be. But I do know I want to go back to where it all started.