Paul Simpson today looked ahead to his first FA Cup tie as Shrewsbury Town boss and set his sights on an extended run in “the best competition in the world.”
Town head to Blyth Spartans tomorrow aiming to avoid a first round upset against the Blue Square North strugglers.
And Simpson is determined to use the clash – one of the feature matches on ITV in their Saturday night highlights package – as a launch pad for a lengthy run.
“As far as I’m concerned, the FA Cup is still the best competition in the world without any doubt,” said Simpson.
“Every kid dreams about playing in an FA Cup final.
“I never played in one – I got knocked out in the semi-final with Wolves, got to the fifth round with Rochdale and I got to the quarter-final with Derby the year Chesterfield got to the semi-finals.
“We would have played them in the semi-finals but Middlesborough beat us in a replay.
“I’ve had disappointments late on but I desperately want a Cup run this year.
“I’ve been respectful of both cup competitions so far. I will be of this one and I will be respectful of Blyth but I want to be through to at least the second round this season.
“I don’t care whether the big boys want to be involved in it or not – but we definitely do.”
SImpson has urged his side to “be professional” at Croft Park, where Blyth officials are expecting a crowd in excess of 3,000.
“It’s a good game for us – it’s a tricky one, we all know that and everyone will be saying it’s a potential banana skin,” added Simpson.
“But we have to make sure it isn’t. We have to go there and do everything right.
“We know they will be up for it and they will be scrapping for everything.
“They are struggling in the league this season. They have lost the two games we have had them watched against Vauxhall Motors and Droylsden.
“They have changed the system and personnel for both games so whether they are trying to confuse us I don’t know.
“But we know about them and we know who they are.”
Glyn Garner will continue in goal with Luke Daniels likely to face at least a further two weeks on the sidelines with a groin injury.
And, with FA Cup regulations allowing for seven substitutes, 18-year-old goalkeeper David Maguire could muscle his way onto the bench tomorrow.
Gylfi Sigurdsson has not been granted permission to play in the game by parent club Reading.
By JAMES GARRISON
9 Comments
Good Luck for town on Saturday.Blythe will be up for it big time. Hope the suporters wrap up warm as the times I’ve been up at nearby Whitley Bay its been perishing. If anyone gets lost when nearly there look for the wind turbines stretching out to sea!
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An excellent approach to the game by Mr SIMPSON. Good luck lads, good cup runs can endear confidence both with the players and supporters.
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Glad to have you reporting again James!
Come on Town, lets turn the scots over
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Don’t ban anyone from the Shropshire star but ban all Town players fron talking to the Star.
This performance was A DISGRACE. DEGRADING TO ALL THE SUPPORTERS WHO MADE THE EFFORT TO GET TO BLYTH.
Paul get the players to earn the good money they get, like the rest of us, I am ashamed of you all
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What a pasting from a non league club - looks like STFC can get ready to lock the trophy cabinet for ANOTHER year.
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Well that was another huge Shrewsbury cup-run!
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long run pa balderdash
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Muppets!
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just bounce back on friday and hit jesterfield for 6
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