Boss Paul Cox has spoken of his amazement after yesterday’s FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round draw saw us handed a potential trip to Liverpool.
Our team could meet Brendan Rodgers’ multi-million pound stars for a second successive season, but it will only happen if we beat Oldham Athletic.
We now face an eagerly-anticipated replay with the Latics at One Call Stadium next week, following a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park last Saturday.
Ironically, after Luis Suarez’s hotly-disputed strike earned Liverpool victory over us in the Third Round last term, the Reds were beaten by Oldham in the Fourth Round.
In another ironic twist, the Latics also played Liverpool in the Third Round in the 2011/12 campaign, where they were beaten 5-1 at Anfield.
“It’s a tie that both clubs would have been wanting and it adds a little bit more spice to the replay,” said Cox.
“[Liverpool] are one of the biggest clubs in world football, so it’s a real positive and something to look forward to.
“The dreams and memories of the occasion from last year are still very much cemented in the back of the mind, so for that tie to come out again, both for us and Oldham, is ‘frightening’.
“It’s like déjà vu from last year in terms of being sat there on a Sunday, having just drawn at Lincoln City, and [Liverpool] comes out the hat - but you still have a game to play before you get there.
“But it’s a great tie and I’m really pleased for the players and supporters. I think there’ll be a few people at both clubs walking around with a smile on their face this morning.”
Our manager is now urging supporters to turn out in force for next week’s Second Round replay – just like they did last season, when we beat Lincoln City at exactly the same stage.
“When you look at what’s at stake, it’s the biggest game [of the season] so far,” said Cox.
“We hope that we can do what we did last year, which is fill the stadium and win the replay. We need as many people here to support the boys as possible.
“The fixture isn’t over and I’m sure Oldham will be thinking the same, but [the possibility of a trip to Anfield in the next round] makes the replay a massive one.”
Third Round ties in the FA Cup with Budweiser are scheduled to be played on weekend commencing Saturday 04 January 2014.
Paul Cox's full interview will be available on Stags Player later today. To subscribe, click here.
