DEAN SAUNDERS is under no illusions about tomorrow’s task – but he is in no doubt Wrexham can cause an FA Cup shock tomorrow.
Wrexham entertain League One outfit Swindon Town at The Racecourse (3pm) in the second round of the famous competition.
Danny Wilson’s Swindon have won their last three league matches and are seventh in the table, just one place and one point away from the play-offs.
Saunders knows Wrexham go into the tie as underdogs but he sees no reason why it can’t be the Reds who cause one of the big upsets tomorrow.
“Swindon are a very good team, on a decent run, but we have got nothing to lose,” said Saunders today. “We have just got to give everything we have got.
“On paper, they are a better team than us and should beat us, but this is the FA Cup.
“Stranger things have happened, and I would think Wrexham away is not a good draw for them. I think we are a banana skin for anybody.
“The odds are stacked against us but if we can pull out one of our best performances, we can win.”
Wrexham have progressed to the second round by beating FC Halifax Town and Lowestoft Town – who both play at a level three divisions below the Reds – courtesy of late goals to edge through 1-0.
Having gone into those previous ties as favourites, it will be rolls reversed tomorrow for Wrexham who start as underdogs, but Saunders said it will be a good experience for his players.
“I have not very often been on this end of these FA Cup ties, normally I am on the other end and the opposition are a banana skin,” said Saunders.
“We have got to go and enjoy it. The players have got legs and lungs so they have got to put the effort in and think about what they are doing.
“We’ve got to be positive. We are not expected to win so hopefully they can relax.
“You look at it as a good test for the lads to see how they cope, playing against players who play two divisions above us.
“We have got a few players who have played higher up and that will help. And after tomorrow we can think about Forest Green on Tuesday.”
First round opponents Lowestoft put 11 men behind the ball and Wrexham finally broke their resistance with a last minute goal from leading scorer Gareth Taylor.
But Saunders is expecting a different kind of game tomorrow: “Lowestoft was difficult for different reasons,” Saunders continued.
“They put 11 men behind the ball and we had to construct attacks. That is okay if you have a team of flair players who can beat people for fun.
“I am sure Swindon will come at us and that will be a different– a good test.”
Wrexham go into the tie boasting a record of just one defeat in nine matches, although the Reds have not won any of their last four league games.
Two goals from defender Mike Williams secured a 2-2 draw against Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday, but Wrexham had plenty of chances to have gone on and won the match, and Saunders believes Wrexham are due a change in fortunes.
“I thought we played well, we missed nine chances but at least the players gave everything, that is all you can ask for,” he added.
“We have been unlucky. Their goalkeeper played out of his skin, and we conceded a 85th minute goal at Kettering, but we will be lucky soon.
“We are on a great run, just one defeat in nine. We have got to keep it going, but this is going to be really tough.”
And Saunders has a selection dilemma tomorrow.
Centre-back Mansour Assoumani served a one-match ban against Kidderminster, allowing Ashley Westwood and Frank Sinclair to line up in the heart of defence.
Nine-goal Gareth Taylor was rested in midweek because of a sore knee with Wes Baynes and Marc Williams leading the attack.
And with right-sided Silvio Spann (hamstring) coming through training yesterday, the Reds boss has plenty of options.
“It is a good problem to have,” said Saunders.
Meanwhile, striker Lamine Sakho will complete a three game ban.