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Interviews

Pre Peterborough | Steve Cotterill

24 November 2022

Town boss Steve Cotterill previewed his side's FA Cup tie against Peterborough United this weekend.

Town welcome Posh to Montgomery Waters Meadow on Saturday afternoon for their second-round tie as both teams look to secure a place in the next round of the competition.

A fellow League One outfit, Peterborough reached this stage of the competition by beating League Two Salford City in a replay.

Salop meanwhile, overcame York City in the last round of the competition.

The gaffer discussed this weekend's game and the potential benefits of an FA Cup run.

On the game:

"I think we will have a decent enough crowd. Peterborough are well supported and will have a decent crowd there but for us, it's about trying to win the game. I know a couple of their players and I know Grant McCann who was another young player I gave a debut to when he came to Cheltenham on loan from West Ham (United) all those years ago. And I know Cliffy Byrne his assistant who is another really good guy so I'll be looking forward to seeing them this weekend as well.

"This is a big game on Saturday. We would never look at the third round until after we've won the second round and Peterborough will be the same. If we can replicate some of the performances, surely, surely, surely, surely, we'll get that win we've deserved in recent weeks."

The financial benefits of the FA Cup:

"For a club of our size and our budget, we need to add to it with as much as we can as often as we can - it's a real bonus for us. But that's not something the players need to think about, it's all about getting them into the same performance or performances of late."

On his FA Cup memories:

"Well, last year was a recent one with the Shrewsbury fans. I scored against Tottenham in the fifth round, I've been on Sky a few times and scored a few goals when I was at Bournemouth. They're the playing ones.

"The managerial ones give you more satisfaction because you're in charge of a group of guys who you want to win. I've had some good cup runs and some good victories when I was at Cheltenham Town, Burnley and some good victories last year and getting that game at Liverpool. I said at the time and I'll say it again because I think it was only a 2-1 game. We got a few of our young lads on the pitch to experience Anfield and with all due respect they weren't quite ready for it and we got done with a couple of quick goals but you know, I thought it was a fantastic day out for the football club last year. It's really good for the bank and really good for the supporters and players as well."

On the FA Cup:

"I remember watching it as a kid and it was a huge day on TV, cup final day when you used to have access to the players' hotel rooms and you'd have someone who was about to play in the cup final shaving in the mirror or something. You don't get that now and I'm not sure I'd want that now. It's got a great tradition and it's known and respected worldwide."

On Peterborough:

"We're not too familiar with them because we haven't played them yet. Ideally, you don't want to play a team in your own division because you know you've got them again. For example, we've got Peterborough again in a couple of weeks. It's not ideal but in another breath, it could be ideal if that makes sense. The thing about it is that it will keep us mentally sharp when playing teams from our own division."

On the week's training:

"We haven't had a bad week. Nothing's got any better and nothing's got any worse so we've had an okay week this week. No drama or injuries to date so we'll be as we've been."

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