Boss ready for Cup fever to commence...
IT'S nice to be involved in the FA Cup. I grew up watching it as a kid in an age where the FA Cup Final was a big event.The competition had great tradition and this is a chance for us to progress. We face a big first hurdle, but we hope to go on and get a big draw in the later rounds.
It's all about progressing and doing as well as you can. All lower League clubs aim to get to that third round draw where a potentially money-spinning tie awaits.
This is my first home draw as manager, so first and foremost I am pleased about that. It's a tough draw which also has the added spice of it being a local derby. There should be a good atmosphere inside the stadium and winning the game will give everyone a lift.
It's important that we are in that draw for the second round. Shrewsbury's form has been somewhat indifferent; that said, they have some decent players and in Graham Turner that have a manager with vast experience.
I played under Graham at Hereford and Richard O'Kelly has worked alongside him. He is someone that we have the utmost respect for.
We know that it will be a tight game, but we are ready for it and looking forward to the challenge.
I believe in this group of players and what we're trying to achieve here and if we're on song on Saturday, we'll be okay.
DEAN SMITH