Peter Taylor expecting a stern test when Brackley Town visit Priestfield in the FA Cup
Peter Taylor says he and his staff have carried out all of the necessary background information on Brackley as they prepare for tomorrow’s first round FA Cup tie.
The visitors, who are currently 3rd in the Skrill North, have lost just one game all season, and the Gills boss is determined to ensure his side are not one of the upsets in the opening round.
He said: “We’ve had them looked at twice – they have won one and drawn one. They are in a great position in their league and they are a confident team.
“The Manager has assembled a very good squad and we are expecting a tough game, that’s what the Cup is about.
“It’s a little bit like taking a penalty, if you score it’s easy to take one and if you play a team that are below you in leagues you are expected to win, but Football isn’t like that.
“That’s why the FA Cup is probably the best cup competition in the world because it creates so many shocks. Hopefully we are not going to be one.
“I’ve had good and bad memories, but last time I was at Gillingham we had a fantastic year. I think we started off at Walsall but eventually it ended up playing against Bradford, Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea.”
, and is hoping the hard work that has been put in this week will result in a more encouraging display.Carlisle in the league last weekendPeter wasn’t satisfied with the first half performance against
He added: “We are going over the same things to make sure the penny is dropping; I would love the team to go and perform well. I don’t want to see a repeat of the first half of last weekend and I don’t think we will.
“The players have trained exceptionally well again and I’m looking for them to take that out on to the main pitch.
“It’s good to have a free week, it’s nice that we have been able to put some sessions together and we had a friendly against Millwall so some of the players that haven’t been playing have picked up on their fitness.
“The FA Cup is a wonderful competition and it always gives you that extra buzz. Their manager will be saying can we beat Gillingham; can we get a second round tie?”
Former Gills striker Gary Mulligan is likely to be a part of the team that plays on Saturday, and Peter knows exactly what to expect from the forward.
He said: “He does everything he can every time he goes out and plays and he will be looking to come here and do well.
“They haven’t got players who will come here and look nervous, Mulligan is one who hasn’t been playing in the last couple of games but we are confident he will start.”
Peter will be without three players with Leon Legge suspended, Danny Hollands unavailable, and Amine Linganzi could be out for up to a month with a hamstring injury.