Spencer Day says there are two ways of looking at Farnborough's draw at National League big boys Wrexham.
“From a managers' perspective, it's an absolute horror of a draw, a huge challenge” admitted the Boro chief. “But off the field, it's a very exciting tie against a club with so much going on around them at the moment and I can understand why our fans are looking forward to it so much.”
It's a view which shows the respect Day has for the high-flying Dragons, especially after leading his side to a 2-0 victory at higher-ranked Sutton United in the last round, pictured above as Freddie Grant was embraced by Farnborough fans over Sky Bet advertising boards. If you fancy betting on the National League this season check out these promos for Sky Bet.
“To use the American terminology, they are 11-0 at home and demolishing teams at the same time,” Day warned.
“Yes, they are imperious at home but this is the FA Cup, a one-off game, and we'll go there to have a go. If you go to a place like Wrexham, you can be 3-0 down in the blink of an eye, without them even trying, so you've got to have a go.
“Blyth Spartans had a go at them in the fourth qualifying round and gave them a hell of a scare, so we've got to take some heart from that.”
Day's men deservedly took the plaudits for their first-round heroics at League Two Sutton, but the Boro boss, who has just celebrated 10 years in charge of the Hampshire outfit, says insists there is still room for improvement in the build-up for Wrexham.
“We were so nervous at Sutton and, despite the result, a number of good players underperformed on the day,” admitted Day, whose side were unbeaten in 11 matches before yesterday's FA Trophy trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Positive
“That can't happen at Wrexham, we have to get that out of our system. If we are as nervous at Wrexham, you can be 3-0 down before you know it and that's game over. We've got to believe and be positive.”
With the odds heavily stacked against him, Day will take any psychological boost – and he may well have just found one via assistant boss Leigh Dynan.
The former Kingstonian, Whyteleafe and East Grinstead boss is a representative of Wrexham's Aaron Hayden, who has scored no fewer than nine goals for the Dragons this season from centre-back.
“It gives us a very small insight, yes, but Wrexham have quality all over the pitch,” Day added. “When you consider that one player alone gets considerably more money than my weekly budget then you start to understand the gulf between the two clubs.
Jealous
“Not that I'm bitter, I'm extremely jealous. Good luck to them. They've got the top scorer in League One two years ago in their squad and if they wanted to sign one of my players then I'd drive him there myself. I'd never stand in their way of such an opportunity.”
Day revealed the two clubs have been locked in a dispute over ticket pricing after Wrexham announced their intention to reduce admission fees to encourage a bigger crowd at the Racecourse – even if it meant dipping into Boro's well-deserved cup payday.
The decision to show live coverage of Saturday's game at 3.15pm on Welsh channel S4C has helped produce some kind of compromise.
“We made our representations, most of which weren't really listened to, so we'll just get on with it,” Day added after Tuesday night's 0-0 draw at Braintree Town. “My job is to deal with the team.
“Wrexham were here tonight and I'm sure they've not exactly gone home scared to death on that performance but that's for the future, we'll start to work on that next week.”
