Cup build-up with Greg Abbott
United manager Greg Abbott spoke to us this afternoon about the visit of Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.
“The FA Cup is something we all think is special and we obviously want to be in the draw come full time on Saturday,” he said.
“We probably go into it with everyone expecting us to win but we’ll have to show Ebbsfleet the same amount of respect we show any team. We’ve prepared for this one in the same way we prepared for the Tottenham game, and that’s the same way we do things for any league game.
“Ebbsfleet will come up here to give us a real test and we’ll have to match their work rate and tempo. They’ll challenge for every tackle because that’s what Liam [Daish] demands from them.
“We’ve had them watched twice since the draw and they are very organised and disciplined and they’ve got some good players in there as well. Ideally we will score early and they’ll have to come at us, and we’ll be able to exploit the holes. However, I don’t think they’re the kind of team who will allow that.
“It’s one where we will have to stay tight at the back and we might have to be patient. The key is that we do things properly, stay in focus and do what we have to do to get on top in the game.
“The lads have responded well this week. They are as disappointed as anyone with the result last weekend and we’ve spoken already about what was said to them by me and the rest of the staff. It’s up to them now to respond on the pitch because I have defended them and I’ve stood behind them. They have my loyalty and maybe now is the time for them to give something back.
“They know they can perform better and I think we’ll see a really positive attitude on Saturday. They go out to win every game but we’ve let ourselves down in recent weeks and we know it’s time to push on from here.
“I’ve been on the wrong end of results from teams from two or three divisions below on a couple of occasions and the dressing room isn’t a nice place to be when it happens. The experienced players will know that and I think the lads are determined that we won’t be the headlines for a result which has gone the wrong way.
“It is the FA Cup and history tells us that anything can happen. The fans love it, the players love it and I think it is the best competition in the world. Like I say, our aim is to be in the hat for the draw for round two come full time.”
United Player subscribers can see a video interview with Greg Abbott later today. For more information on United Player, and to subscribe, click HERE.
