Saddlers boss Darrell Clarke is hoping his side can upset the odds when they take on high-flying League One side Oxford United on Saturday in the second round of the FA Cup.
Oxford, who are managed by Karl Robinson, come into the game on the back of a 15 game unbeaten streak, whilst Walsall head into it unbeaten in five and Clarke is hoping his side can get themselves in the hat for the third round draw come the end of the game tomorrow.
But the manager knows that his side will be classed as underdogs but he is hoping that his side will embrace the occasion and the magic of the cup.
“Oxford have got that momentum that we all crave in football,” said Clarke. “They’re unbeaten in 15 games and have scored a lot of goals in the process and they’ll be pretty confident but it’s the FA Cup.
“We’ll go into the game as the underdogs, we’re at home and I am sure our fans will be well up for it and we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“The pressure is never off with me, whether we’re in the league or in the cup, it’ll always be there.
“I enjoy the pressure and so should my players.
“We’re looking to see if we can get ourselves into the third round of the cup, which everyone wants to do and get that luxury tie but we have got a very tough game on our hands and we appreciate that.
“Oxford will come here with plenty of fans but we will be looking to upset the odds.
“There is a potential revenue there for the club if we get through but we have to draw ourselves away from that if we can.
“We have got to focus on the game that is in front of us. We could get through and get drawn a rubbish draw but we need to focus on the game and focus on getting ourselves into the hat for the next round and we can only do that by beating Oxford.
“We have to make sure that we perform on the day. We go into the game as slight underdogs and it’s an occasions that we have got to try and enjoy.”