Merson Confident Of Result

Paul Merson, a former FA Cup winner himself, says he is ‘confident of us getting a result’ against non-League Merthyr Tydfil. The game is live on Sky* tonight with a kick-off time of 7.45pm.

Merson says: ‘The FA Cup is a magical competition. It holds some fantastic memories for me that will live with me forever. Of course, there have also been some unhappy times when I have been on the wrong end of a giantkilling act, but that is all part of the romance of the Cup.’

Adding: ‘To be honest, I haven’t thought about the pressure going into Friday’s game at Merthyr; after last year’s disappointment we won’t be going into this game blind, we know what it’s all about and how much defeat hurts. This is a massive game for both clubs and it is our Cup Final as much as theirs. There is so much money to be made if we can make progress into the later rounds and that will help me strengthen the squad.’

He also thinks the camera’s will be a boost: ‘The fact that we are on television will lift my players more than theirs; there is a lot of pride at stake and we go there with a plan that we have worked hard on this week. We are down to the bare bones in terms of fit players, but we will try to get as many old heads out there as possible. It’s a big pitch and that will suit our game, so providing that we can match them for work-rate and enthusiasm, I am confident of us getting a result.’
*Saddlers World also have full match commentary.