Rochdale assistant manager Chris Beech says the team simply have to go for it in their first FA Cup tie with Swindon Town since 1913.
Dale will be looking to end their five-game winless run on Saturday against a side who have proved to be somewhat of a bogey team over the years, having beaten the Robins just once in 17 attempts.
Swindon also won their 1913 clash 2-0 though ahead of the sides’ first-round clash Beech was in confident mood.
“We’ve got to enjoy the challenge and go for it,” he said.
“We want to put everything into practice this weekend.
“We’ve got to concentrate on ourselves, we’re playing a really good opponent in Swindon, they were excellent last year and we have a similar style.
“Their new manager will be looking to start his first game on a positive note.”
Beech also looked ahead to the club’s upcoming fixtures.
“What a week for Rochdale Football Club. We’ve got the FA Cup, Johnstone’s Paint Trophy against Morecambe in midweek and Wigan at home on Sky.
“There are no guarantees other than concentrating on the detail needed to get what we want from the game.
“We’ve had a really good training week and it makes you feel great watching the youth team have success as well, they’ve come a long way.”
Keith Hill’s right-hand man also gave his thoughts on football’s oldest cup competition.
“The nation gets excited about it. It’s still got a major value in English football.
“Recently we’ve done very well in it, it does have a special feeling about it and it’s good that you can get a chance of playing some really good opposition getting toward that third round.”
The men from Spotland have made the fourth round of the cup in the last two seasons, with famous wins at home to Leeds United and Nottingham Forest along the way.
Dale will be without midfielder Reuben Noble-Lazarus for the cup clash after he sustained a dislocated shoulder in training.
Meanwhile, Swindon Town, who will be under the stewardship of Martin Ling for the first time, will be without the injured Nathan Thompson and cup-tied Ben Gladwin.
Image courtesy of Rochdale AFC via YouTube, with thanks.
