Abbott tells Carlisle players to 'get into Grays faces'
Last updated 10:16, Saturday, 29 November 2008
Greg Abbott has warned his players they have no excuses left as they try to finish the job against Grays today.
The Blues will bid to see off the Blue Square Premier strugglers at the third time of asking in today’s rearranged first round FA Cup replay.
Abbott has added fit-again striker Scott Dobie to his squad but has doubts over Paul Thirlwell (achilles) and Simon Hackney (calf). But the caretaker boss said whoever he picks in Essex can not underestimate Wayne Burnett’s men.
“If anyone plans to go down to Grays just to go through the motions they are in for a hell of a shock, as the other two games against them have proved,” said Abbott. Today’s winners will host Crewe in the second round on Wednesday night, by which time their third round opponents will be known.
But Abbott said he does not expect his players’ minds to be on Sunday’s draw, when Premier League clubs come into the competition.
“If you need an additional incentive to win a football match, you shouldn’t be in the game,” he said. “I want to win this game badly, like any other. The bonuses are there afterwards.”
Abbott is without three ineligible loan players today, with Thursday’s recruit Chris Birchall joining Tim Krul and Michael Liddle on the sidelines.
Ben Williams should replace Krul in goal and Evan Horwood is likely to return for Liddle at left-back. Coventry man Birchall, meanwhile, will play for the reserves against Accrington on Monday along with fit-again defender Peter Murphy.
On Grays, Abbott added: “It is their cup final and they will be giving everything they’ve got. We’ve got to be prepared for that and try and get in their faces ourselves.”
