Walsall Head Coach Mat Sadler is “desperate” for his side to win their FA Cup First Round trip to Isthmian League South East Division side Sheppey United.
The Saddlers make a 360-mile round trip to Kent on Friday night, with the game being shown live on ITV4 and ITVX.
In his pre-match press conference, the 38-year-old said that the game was as big for his team as it is for Sheppey. He said: “We go into Friday night with our eyes wide open of exactly what the challenge we’ve got in front of us is.
“It’s one we’re absolutely desperate to win, to play well in. But we’re fully aware of an opposition that see it as a fantastic opportunity for them to put their mark on the competition.”
“We’ll certainly be going all out to put our stamp on the competition, and the first part of that is we’re desperate to win on Friday night.”
Sadler was also quick to point out the financial aid a cup run could provide a team. He added: “It’s a game of big magnitude for ourselves as well. These cup runs can bring some really good finances to the club, which can quite ultimately help as we move forward into January.
“It’s a big, big game for us, make no bones about that. We are desperate to win the game and to do that we have to be extremely on it in the game. We have to make sure our mentality is focused and right and ready. We’ll be up against an opposition that are desperate to do it the same.”
Writer’s View
Mat Sadler has called for his side to be switched on as they face off against Non-League side Sheppey United on Friday night. We all know what can happen in those first-round cup ties on Friday nights, normally playing host to those upsets that are fondly remembered. You don’t want to be that side featured in the end credits after the Cup Final with Jonathan Pearce commentating over your demise. The Saddlers must play the match and not the occasion if they are to safely navigate this tie.
A cup run for Walsall could massively help them heading into January. Injuries are building up at Bescot Stadium, and the financial boost a cup run could bring could buy them more squad depth. A win on Friday will see the Saddlers £41,000 richer, with a second-round victory providing a further £67,000. Get there and Walsall could get some quality first-team options to reinforce going into the second half of the season.
