Blog: Cup run would be boost for AFC Telford

We have played Nuneaton in league games, Setanta Shield matches, FA Cup and Trophy fixtures and two-legged play-off semi finals in recent seasons.

Saturday sees an FA Cup 4th Qualifier - the opportunity to put some money in the bank and the potential to make some big bucks in the proper rounds of the cup with potential television deals and additional revenue streams from big ties. For a club like ours, with no financial backer, these types of games can be absolutely crucial.

In one-off games this season, we have proved we can live with clubs much bigger than ours and come away with impressive victories, but we have also already slipped up at Liberty Way - Nuneaton being one of only four sides to beat us so far this season.

Though that won't be the only thing on our minds - I am sure revenge will feature highly on the managers' team talk notes.

Our performance there, earlier in the season, saw them do to us what we have done to other sides this year. Hopefully lightning won't strike for a second time.

Nuneaton's band of former Bucks numbers one fewer than the previous game too. Wind-up merchant and centre half magnet Kyle Perry has now departed on loan and is likely to feature against us on December 1st at Edgar Street instead. He is one less pumped up, motivated individual that we will have to contend with, although Messrrs Cowan, Forsdick, Adams and Brown still form quite a quartet that could pose us a significant threat if we are not quite at the races.

That's without even mentioning some of the other excellent talent our near neighbours have in their ranks, including Wes York, who was plucked from local league football at about this time last year and has made some rapid progress, and Adam Walker ,who is top of the scoring charts for Blue Square Premier midfielders with seven league goals.

Here's hoping our midfield, which will unfortunately be lacking the impressive Phil Trainer, will be up to the challenge of hurrying, harrying and harassing their Nuneaton rivals. For me, our team would contain both Rooney and Davies to give them the opportunity to prove they have what it takes to be the cornerstone to our side for years to come. They both have age on their side and have attributes that could compliment each other brilliantly.

Only one man will make that decision though and I can't help but feel that we might see the return of Ryan Valentine – and Kris Taylor moved into a midfield role. This strength in depth means we now have in the squad means that all these options are available to us.

Chris Sharp is back amongst the goals too after a brace in the hastily arranged, midweek friendly. The goals boost will do him the world of good as he strives to get back from his hernia injury. Perhaps Saturday is too early for him but he will be vying for a starting berth soon enough.

After defeats so far this season, we have bounced back with positive results. Now we need to ensure that we bounce back from a promising performance, but ultimately disappointing result, against Grimsby last week with a good result come 4.45pm on Saturday.

So come down to the New Bucks Head on Saturday afternoon. Cheer the boys onto victory. Let's avoid another visit to Liberty Way on a cold, miserable October evening and boost the club coffers along the way.

Realistically, we won't win the league, but we have enough talent, belief and ability to put together a run in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy and cause an upset or two along the way.

Come on boys! Do the county proud.