Troubled Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has called on his side to repeat their Arsenal heroics to get a result when he needs it most.
The Magpies head for Championship side Stoke in the FA Cup third round on Sunday knowing only a victory will ease the pressure on their 53-year-old boss.
Allardyce's mid-table side took just one point from a possible 12 over the holiday period and needs to rekindle the spirit of last month's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
He said: "I am the first to admit we have had an inconsistent season, but we have shown ourselves eminently capable of top-class performances, which is what makes it all the more annoying that we have too often failed to produce that standard.
"Which is the real Newcastle United? The one that played excellently against Arsenal at St James' Park in early December and also defeated Spurs and Everton in style, or the one that fell to defeat at Wigan, Reading and Derby?
"I firmly believe it is the former."
Luton will hope to catch Liverpool off guard on Sunday after a frustrating couple of weeks for the Anfield club.
Liverpool's Premier League title challenge would seem all but over for another season after a lacklustre performance in a 1-1 draw with struggling Wigan in midweek.
Their problems barely compare to those of Luton, who recently went into administration, but Hatters manager Kevin Blackwell is hopeful the League One side can pull off an upset.
Blackwell said: "This draw is the first chink of light and good news we have had for a long time.
"It has been all doom and gloom, FA inquires, losing players and losing wages.
"But now we have got a big feast on the table and hopefully people will be fed at this club."
The tie rekindles memories of a magical encounter in January 2006, when Luton turned in an outstanding performance before finally being beaten 5-3 by the eventual cup winners. Luton were 3-1 ahead at one stage in the second half of a tie also shown live on TV.
Arsenal forward Robin van Persie could return to action from a muscular problem at the end of next week.
The 24-year-old has not played a full game in three months but is a possibility for the Barclays Premier League clash against Birmingham on January 12 at the Emirates Stadium.
He has already been ruled out of the FA Cup tie at Burnley on Sunday.
"Robin van Persie is still injured and will not be involved," said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. "But it is very short for him now. The next deadline could be Birmingham or just after."
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor has a slight hamstring injury but can play at Turf Moor if required.
Derby manager Paul Jewell will finally strengthen his beleaguered Rams squad today with the signing of Argentinian striker Emanuel Villa.
The 25-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for Mexican side UAG Tecos, flew in at 10pm last night.
Terms have already been agreed on a £2million deal that will be completed once Villa passes a medical and international clearance is received.
The move, though, will not be done in time for Villa to make his Rams debut in the FA Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park on Sunday.
It is another game in which Jewell will again take a head count as he concedes he is "down to the bare bones" for the clash with his former club, and not for the first time recently.
Derby's injury crisis was compounded on Wednesday in the 1-0 loss at Bolton as Jay McEveley suffered knee ligament damage.
McEveley underwent scans late yesterday, with the left-back almost certain to be ruled out today for at least three months, and potentially for the remainder of the season.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson admits Premier League survival has to be his priority ahead of his side's cup clash with Bristol Rovers Bristol Rovers.
Hodgson has inherited a Fulham side second from botto of the league with just 15 points from 21 matches and facing an almighty scrap to avoid the "horror" of relegation.
Just five points separate six teams in the congested lower reaches of the table.
The well-travelled Hodgson is relishing a return to hands-on coaching - the players were put through a double training session yesterday - and he insists Fulham can escape the drop.
"It's a massive job but the fact is I wouldn't have taken on the job if I didn't think I had the ability and the confidence to do it," said Hodgson.
"We fully understand that our most important task in the next four months is to try and maintain our Premier League status.
"I view with horror the scenario where we don't succeed and keep the club in the Premier League but at the moment I have no reason to fear that."
Reading midfielder Emerse Fae is hoping the example set by his "big brother" Didier Drogba will inspire him to be a success in England.
So far the Ivory Coast international has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League following his £2.5million summer switch from Nantes - a record purchase for the Royals.
But the 23-year-old, who will depart for African Nations Cup duty after tomorrow's clash at Tottenham, made it clear he was determined to come good and has sought out Drogba for advice.
He said: "London is not far from Reading and when I need some advice I go to him. He is my big brother. He is always ready to help me.
"This is his fourth season at Chelsea and he knows all about English football.
"He told me that his first season was so difficult but he kept working and working and today he is one of the best strikers in the world."
