I think we're due a FA Cup run, says Welling United boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he wants his players to put in a professional performance to avoid slipping up on a potential FA Cup banana skin on Saturday.




The Wings once again start their campaign in the Second Qualifying Round with a trip to Canvey Island to take on Ryman Premier Leaguers Concord Rangers.

The Kent side are flying high in the league above, third in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table, following four wins and three draws from their opening eight games.

But Concord Rangers, who go into the game sitting in the bottom four and without a win at home in the league, will fancy their chances to cause a giant-killing on Saturday.

“I think it’s going to be a very difficult game,” warned Day, 32, who has suffered first hurdle defeats to Conference South rivals Braintree Town and Bromley during his time as the Welling United manager.

“We’ve not been great since (in the FA Cup) since I’ve been at the club so it’s something that we’re trying to put right.

“I think if we go there with the wrong attitude then we’ll get beat. We have to go there, be professional and put in a good performance.

“Hopefully we can carry that on and get through to the next round.”

Day added: “In the past we’ve been drawn against difficult teams and not being disrespectful we should be looking to win the game, but we know if we don’t perform properly and don’t have the right attitude we’ll come unstuck and it will be a disappointing FA Cup campaign already.”

The winners in this round will scoop £4,500 in prize money from The Football Association.

Day said: “Clubs can make a good amount of money. We haven’t had a good Cup run for a while at Welling so it would be nice to do that this year.

“If you have a good Cup run it raises the profile of the club and brings a bit of confidence to the team as well if you keep winning games.

“Obviously they want to get through because financially it benefits them as well.”

When asked what he is expecting at blustery Thames Road, Day replied, “They’re the underdogs, they’ve got nothing to lose and I think it will be a proper battle. They will be big and strong and put it in the right areas and they’ll be able to play as well. I’m not sure what the pitch is like.

“We have to go there knowing we’re going to have a battle and if we don’t roll our sleeves up and have a go and show the qualities that we’ve got – it’s going to be a tough game.

“We’re not taking it lightly and we’ll do our best to get through.”

Day looks to his experienced players to ensure Concord Rangers will not be the club that grab all the giant-killing headlines over the weekend.

He said: “If they go there with the right attitude then I’m confident we can get a right result but if we go there and think it’s going to be easy and the experienced lads don’t use that experience then we’ll come unstuck.

“We need to make sure the eleven I start are focused and ready to go.”

Welling United last reached the First Round when they lost 4-1 away to Huddersfield Town under Adrian Pennock back in 2006.

“It’s nice if we can do that and if we bring some money in and have a good Cup run everybody will be pleased and obviously it will benefit the club.

“We haven’t had a Cup run for a while and I think we’re due one and hopefully we can do that this season.”

Day, who played in that game for the club, reflected on his past FA Cup history.

“I’ve done ok. We got to play Huddersfield a few years back and that was a good experience and a good Cup run.

“I’ve played in the First Round when I was playing in the League.  It’s been ok. As a manager it’s not been great.  We’ve been knocked out the first time at both attempts since I’ve been there and hopefully we can change that.

“We lost to Bromley last year and then we lost to Braintree the year before.”

Reflecting on their start to their Conference South campaign, Day added: “It doesn’t really count for anything at the minute, but we’ve put some good performances in so hopefully we can keep that going and we are pleased where we are at the minute.”

Visit Welling United’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/wellingutd

Concord Rangers  v  Welling United
The FA Cup  with Budweiser Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 22^nd September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Thames Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0HH