We will give Slough the respect they deserve, says Gills boss.
Gills boss Steve Lovell previews Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup second round tie against Slough Town.
PREPARATION
“We’re just preparing as normal, as if we’re playing against a league side because that’s the way we’ve got to approach it. We’ve got to give them every kind of respect.
“They’ve done very well to get to this stage of the FA Cup so they’re a decent side; they’re on their own pitch – they know it, they’ll have a good following of supporters there and it all stacks up against us, so we’ve got to make sure we go there and prepare properly.
“I know from coming through non-league that you need togetherness and bonding to get you through these kinds of ties and that’s why they’ve got to this stage. We know what to expect, we know it will be a tough game but we are looking forward to it, as they will be.
“I love being involved in the FA Cup and I think every player should do.”
THE PITCH
“They [Slough] are used to it, they play on it every other week and probably train on it twice a week but all of our boys have played or trained on 3G at some stage, we have trained on it this week and it’s something we have to get used to and overcome.
“We like to pass the ball around and perhaps it might suit us; I don’t know, but we will play the same way and take the tie to Slough."
ON GILLS PREVIOUS UPSETS
“Well, that’s the FA Cup – it throws up these scenarios and I’ve been involved in a few and it’s not nice as a league club when you get beat by non-league opposition. If we are on our game Slough will most probably have to do something special to beat us.
“Anything could happen and things turn against you so we need to prepare and plan for everything."
TEAM NEWS
“Regan has trained and looks okay. The rest of them are fine; it’s only Gabz who went off with a muscle spasm so he is the only one we may need to protect. Apart from that, everybody is fit and raring to go."
CUP RUN
“A good cup run means we win on Sunday, which is the most important thing. The win on Tuesday night at Bristol was so important for us, and it does give everybody around the club a lift because the performances haven’t been that bad, we just haven’t been getting results.
“You’ve got to give respect to Slough, I will put the strongest team out that I can against them because they will be tough opposition.
“If we win, we win, and that’s it. People might expect it, but I’m not expecting anything other than giving everything we can.”