With cup holders Manchester United not in this year's competition, that city's hopes in the world's oldest cup competition -- the FA Cup -- will rest with the Blues of Manchester City during this weekend's fourth round.

And a lot of responsibility will fall on Bermudian Shaun Goater's shoulders during the fourth round this weekend against Leeds United of the Premier League.

It's already been dubbed the tie of the round, the fixture between the top teams in the top two divisions, and City's Maine Road ground will be packed to capacity for the clash. Sky Sports, who own a 10 per cent stake in City, will televise the match, with fans in Bermuda having to pay a fee to see Sunday's match.

Goater, City's top scorer with 14 goals, is up to the challenge and looking forward to adding to his tally.

"That's always the foundation to get 20 and as a striker if you're scoring around 20 goals then you've been fairly consistent,'' said Goater this week.

Goater was careful not to set a goal target at the beginning of the season but is well on course to beat the 21 he managed last season in the Second Division.

"Twenty is the next target and once I reach that I'll look at how many games I have left and then set another target,'' he stated.

"I've had a lot of niggling injuries and have missed six games through injury so I'm pleased with the way it's going and hope I continue to stay fit and that the goals keep coming.'' Goater was somewhat overshadowed by the arrival of new striker Robert Taylor, whose 1.5 million value was almost four times what Goater cost from Bristol City in March 1998. But in 82 appearances for City, Goater has netted 38 goals which isn't a bad strike rate.

"As long as I continue doing that I know that I'll continue being first choice,'' said Goater.

"I've got two years left on my contract so I'm at that stage where I've got to be producing this sort of form so that I can, perhaps, go and knock on the (manager's) door early and say `my contract's coming to an end, how about an extension'?'' Goater says the Manchester City fans are far more demanding that those at Bristol City and the pressure is always there to produce.

"City is the sort of club where whether you are worth 3 million, 300,000 or 3, they don't allow you to get out there and be sloppy and give a lethargic performance,'' he says.

"If the game is going in a certain direction and they see the performance is a bit lackluster they get straight onto you and then you start to hear boos and chants. They are not a patient crowd like Bristol's was, who, even when you are not playing well, are still supportive.

"They'll let you go two or three games like that but here at Maine Road you are only as good as your last game.

"They are the sort of crowd that really keeps you on your toes. With all that happened last season, I'm better mentally prepared for this season in regards to what's expected of me.'' It has been documented that Goater is only just starting to win the approval of the City fans.

"In the first 16 games last season I scored something like 10 goals but they didn't take to me and then I slumped and scored something like one in eight.

And they were thinking `it's only the Second Division and you haven't showed us anything'.

"So the big season for me is this season and so far I've proved it. The story about `Shaun winning over the fans' is a boring old story, really.'' While neighbours Manchester United are recognised as the world's biggest club, Goater isn't doing too badly in the popularity stakes in a city that is also home to the likes of David Beckham, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs.

"Here they have the new year sales but I can't go out, with people asking for autographs or saying `well done last night','' said the Bermudian.

"It's good, it lets you know when you are doing well. But I wouldn't want to have the stardom like David Beckham.

"I wouldn't mind having it for a season or two but after that I'll be thinking `it's time to go back home to my native country' where they'll say `yeah, that's Goater'.'' Goater joy: Shaun Goater runs to join in Man City's play-off victory celebrations at Wembley