FA Cup time comes round again with an intriguing and hard-to-predict third round tie at Birmingham.

Birmingham have hit some good form over the last couple of months. After an uncertain start to the season, with manager Steve Bruce facing a lot of pressure from the media, they’ve put a good run together and soared to the top of the Championship.

I saw a good part of their recent home game against Luton. They looked like a big, strong athletic side – tailor-made to achieve promotion from the Championship, if not particularly well suited for the Premiership. However, I think we will struggle a bit against physical teams and we may have to face a good deal of pressure. The Birmingham fans will be out in force, and usually give their side a lot of support.

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Mike Dean, 38 from Heswall, the Wirral, Cheshire, takes charge of United for the 3rd time this season as we travel to St. Andrews to play Birmingham City in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Dean was deservedly appointed to the Final of last season’s competition after refereeing brilliantly throughout the season, only to be removed by The FA when nearby Liverpool reached the final.

Dean’s previous Newcastle games this season have seen us lose 2-0 at Old Trafford to Manchester United, and draw 0-0 with Charlton at St. James’ Park. Last season he refereed our 1-0 victory over Birmingham on Tyneside in November 2005.

Dean also refereed our FA Cup Third Round tie in 2004, when we defeated Southampton 3-0 at St. Mary’s, with a brace from Kieron Dyer and a Laurent Robert strike.

Dean has not refereed Birmingham this season, but did preside over 3 Premiership defeats for the Blues last season, as well as a victory in the FA Cup Fifth Round at Stoke City.