Stoke City v Shrewsbury Town FA Cup preview: Relax and we can show X Factor, says Anthony Grant

Tonight’s Bet365 Stadium FA Cup third-round replay against Stoke comes as a big stage and grand occasion to most in blue and amber.

But for players long in the tooth such as midfielder Grant, 32, it is just another game for Sam Ricketts’ side.

In fact, Grant will encourage his younger, less experienced Town team-mates to imagine themselves in their leisurewear on the sofa catching up on primetime reality television.

But it’s less Robbie Williams more Ashley Williams for Salop in the Potteries tonight, with Nathan Jones as the boss, rather than Simon Cowell.

Grant, a summer signing from Peterborough, shone in the first tie, as he has for much of the season as one of Town’s most consistent performers.

“I just tell them to relax. Like they’re sitting watching X Factor or something,” said Grant.

“There’s no point getting worked up, just relax and enjoy it. It’s not a day out but obviously don’t get too uptight and start doing different things. Just relax and be yourself.”

Stoke are not expecting a crowd of more than 20,000, but the appointment of Jones after sacking Gary Rowett could drag a few more through the door.

Town will be roared on by some 2,000 travelling fans aiming to see their club reach the fourth round for just the fifth time in 30 years.

Fans in attendance tonight will be revisiting the scene of one of Town’s most crucial triumphs.

The Britannia Stadium played host to the 2003/04 Conference play-off final, where Jimmy Quinn’s Shrews edged Aldershot on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw in front of 19,216 fans.

Goalkeeper Scott Howie was the hero, saving all three Shots penalties. Steve Arnold will have to go some tonight to match those efforts between the sticks.

Midfield bruiser Grant takes it with a pinch of salt. For him, playing at Accrington Stanley and Sunderland were one and the same.

The 31-year-old has suffered third-round replay heartbreak before while playing for Southend against the club where it all started, Chelsea.

The Shrimpers earned a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in January 2009 but, despite leading, lost 4-1 at Roots Hall. He also netted an FA Cup rocket with Crewe against another former side in Wycombe.

Grant was part of the Peterborough team that won at Villa Park in the third round last season before losing 5-1 to Leicester.

“It is a big arena, some boys played at Sunderland, some have other places. It’s normal,” he added.

“It’s like Accrington away, you’ve got to treat each game the same, you can’t think ‘because we’re going Sunderland we’ve got to treat it different’, every games the same. We go to win.

“I thought we deserved to win (the first tie). But the replay is good for the boys and the club.

“Every time you play on the big stage you have to produce, you can’t crumble into a hide and a seek game.

“If we play on the front foot, their fans are not going to be happy. You don’t know how many fans are going to turn up – it could be empty and affect their players.”