Mixed emotions for Wilson and Edwards, as Forest Green win sets up West Brom Showdown

Paul Tisdale was rightly proud of his team, as they overcame a stern challenge from Forest Green to emerge victorious after extra time last week. But for two players, the win has even more significance, as it signals the showdown they must have been anticipating with trepidation and anticipation in equal measure from the moment they saw the draw.

Kane Wilson is on loan to The Grecians from West Bromwich Albion, as is forward Kyle Edwards, and so there was an air of inevitability over the draw. Wilson told the team’s official site: “I just had a feeling it was going to be West Brom,” and added that when the draw was made, his phone “didn’t stop buzzing.”

What are the odds of that?

If Wilson really did feel that the teams would meet in the third round, that’s a 63/1 shot, so perhaps those who like a wager should pay further attention to his feelings. If his prediction that Exeter “might even get a win” comes true, it could be worth a good pay day. As soon as the draw was made, punters were racing to the online casinos and betting sites to check what sort of odds were available.

Exeter are currently at 6/1 for an upset, with West Brom understandably the favourites at 8/15 on. The draw is a 14/5 shot. These odds could shift dramatically depending on whether or not Wilson and Edwards are permitted to take part in the match.

Will they play?

Edwards played a pivotal role in Exeter snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the second round, coming off the bench in the 50th minute and winning a penalty with what was practically his first touch of the ball, when he was fouled inside the Rovers box by Keanu Marsh-Brown. This brought the Grecians, who were down to ten men following Jordan Tillson’s sending off, back to parity and the rest, as they say, is history.

Wilson and Edwards will both need permission from their parent club to play, and at present, there is no clarity as to whether this will be granted. Edwards told reporters: “I haven’t really looked into it. I guess West Brom will be the ones who decide whether Kane and I can play, so who knows?”

FA Cup record

Exeter are no strangers to Premier League match ups in the FA Cup. In 2016, they memorably held Liverpool to a third round replay, and in 2005, they pulled off the same feat against the mighty Manchester United, but we have to go back to 1981 for the last time they managed any giant killing. That was the year they defeated Leicester City 3-1 in the replay, and then went one better, demolishing Newcastle United in the fifth round, only to fall in the quarter final to eventual winners Tottenham.

Could this be the year? Bookmakers have them at 60/1 to reach the quarter finals this year, and 25/1 to reach the fifth round. For the Grecians faithful, those latter odds could be very, very tempting.