United’s assistant manager Tommy Wright spoke to us about what he expects from what will be a difficult Emirates FA Cup tie against Lincoln City on Saturday.
“Winning the second-round game provides a great opportunity for everybody, but Lincoln will be thinking the same,” he said. “They’ve had some good runs in the last couple of years so I’m sure they’ll be going for it as well.
“It’ll be an open game and both sides will want to be in the draw for round three. They had a tough game against Oldham, and we had the same at Notts County, but we need to take the confidence from the way we played into the game on Saturday.”
“We know a bit about them having played them recently,” he added. “I thought we looked good on the counter against them and they have a set way of playing, which they’re very good at.
“They’ll be very organised, and everybody knows their job in the team, so it will be a difficult game for both sides. It’s an opportunity to get into the third round but they’re a tough team.
“They’re good at what they do, so if we’re not on our game we’ll get punished. If we are on our game, I know we can punish them, so it’s just like every other game.”
On the obvious financial rewards of progression in the competition, he commented: “There is a bit of added pressure with what’s at stake financially, but it will be about who brings their ‘A’ game.
“I’m sure all managers and coaches still in the FA Cup are aware of how much it’s worth to win, especially with the possibility of a big game in the third round. I don’t think the players think about that too much, so it shouldn’t a problem.”
“They’ll be favourites because they’re top of the league and they’re at home,” he continued. “We’ve been there already this season and got a good result, so we’ll go there with confidence.
“Like I say, they play a certain way and they’ve got a good structure. I think they will know they’ll have to play well to beat us, just like we know we’ll have to play well to beat them.”
“Cup games can come down to a bit of luck or a decision,” he concluded. “That’s what cup ties are like. You can get battered and score a lucky goal or you can dominate like we did at Notts County and draw. It will be a tough game, we know that, but there’s no reason why we can’t come out of it with a positive outcome.”
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