Sam Ricketts previews Town's second-round FA Cup tie with Mansfield Town.
Shrewsbury Town welcome Mansfield Town to the Montgomery Waters Meadow this weekend as the FA Cup second-round commences.
Sky Bet League Two Mansfield come into the fixture having progressed past Chorley in the previous round to earn a chance at reaching the next stage of the competition.
Town manager Sam Ricketts is expecting a tough test from the Stags and hopes his team can progress into the third-round of the cup.
“They are a decent side with some good players,” said the Town manager. “They were really unlucky last year missing out in the play-offs. They have some good players, players who won that league last year.
“It will be a tough test but it’s a test we are looking forward to. We all know it won’t be easy. We can’t have it where we always go to teams in the above leagues. We expect a real tough battle coming the other way.
“We have to really respect Mansfield and their threats whilst we try to impose ourselves and ultimately win the game. We prepare the exact same way, it doesn’t matter who we are playing - we will make sure we are ready.
“We have a routine of how we prepare for games and that will continue for every game that we do play. Nicky Maynard is someone we need to be wary of, alongside some other players.”
Town will be aiming to secure a spot in the third-round of the cup, the same round in which the Shrews defeated Stoke City to progress further last season.
Sam Ricketts admits the possibility of facing another higher-ranked opponent is good motivation for his players going into the tie.
“It is exciting for everyone,” said Sam. “That’s why everyone looks forward to this round. We have to win this game to give ourselves the opportunity. Hopefully, we can watch the draw with our number in the hat.
“They have got some good players and we have to be very wary of them. It just shows that in English football there is big competition between all of the teams.
“They have similar threats to Bradford, some good forwards. It’s not an easy game. They come here with nothing to lose and everything to gain. They come here with the freedom to express themselves that little bit more.
“We have to approach the game where we try to impose ourselves on them. We all want that win and that’s what we are striving for.”