Manager Sees Blackburn Tie As A Fantastic Opportunity
- Town drawn away to Blackburn in First Round
- Micky believes it will be a good test for his side
- Manager also feels it will give Shrews good exposure
"If we’re starting to grow as a club, we want to keep growing - even if we don’t get as big as Blackburn, we want to close the gap as much as we can," he said.
"It’s important that a team the size of Shrewsbury continues to do well in these games to raise the profile of the club and we can do that by moving it forwards against big sides."
Micky also believes that taking on a Championship side is important for the exposure of the Club.
"There’s a lot that can happen before this match but we want to do well in every game and when that one comes around, we’ll be ready for it," he said.
"We want to give our fans something to cheer because they all got behind us brilliantly last season when we had a cup run.
"They loved it and we have to respect that and try to do the same again.
"We will go there with our strongest team in what will be a tough test, and whatever happens, we’ll take the positives from it."
Micky is now hoping for a repeat of last year's run in the Capital One Cup.
The Shrews went on a remarkable run in the competition last season, beating three higher-division sides in Blackpool, Leicester City and Norwich City before bowing out with a narrow 2-1 defeat to eventual competition winners Chelsea.
"I’ve had plenty of games against them in my career, especially derbies for Burnley, so I know what they’re about," said Micky.
"Their fans are very passionate and they expect Blackburn to win every game they play so the challenge is there for us.
"We won’t be fancied going up there but it doesn’t hold any fear for us.
"Blackburn will be the favourites but we want to go there and give a good account of ourselves and see where it takes us."
And he insists his side will be going to Ewood Park in August without any fear.
Micky is no stranger to Blackburn having gone up against them many times in the past.
"It will be a fantastic opportunity for us to go and measure ourselves against a fantastic Blackburn side," said Micky.
"Regardless of the time of the season, it’s a great place to go and a chance to see how we do against a top Championship team.
"It’s important for us for a whole raft of reasons: The players can measure themselves against a really good team and see what they need to improve on, or they might look at it and say ‘I’m quite comfortable at that level.
"Then as a group it’s always important for us to try to do the best we can because of the revenue from it.
"I would have preferred a home draw for the advantage of being on our own pitch, but it’s an opportunity for the players to perform on a fantastic stage and that’s what football is all about."
And Micky feels it will be a good test for his side ahead of the new Sky Bet League 1 season.
Town, who were unseeded in the First Round draw on Tuesday morning, were drawn out to face the Championship side, who were seeded, away from home.