Having a Ball

ARGYLE manager Derek Adams believes his side will be excited and ready to make their bow in the Emirates FA Cup against Carlisle United this weekend.

Before the Greens face Millwall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night, the small matter of football’s oldest cup competition is on the agenda on Saturday.

Carlisle United once again make the long trip down to Home Park for their first round tie, and Adams is expecting a competitive and lively affair. 

“It’s similar to the Scottish Cup; it’s a cup competition that everyone looks forward to,” said Derek. “They want to try and progress in the FA Cup. 

“It’s a nostalgic competition, and one that all teams want to try and get to the final. If you look at the draw the other day, and the 80 teams that were in the first round proper; everybody’s excited about who they’re going to get in the draw. 

“I think that looking at it, we’ve got two League 2 clubs playing against each other, and both sides will think that they’ve got an opportunity to get through to the next round. Everybody knows that in the next rounds it could open up, and you could get a very good draw.” 

The prospect of lucrative ties or an extended run in the cup can always bring excitement to a dressing room, and the boss feels that even the slight change in preparations will make his side eager to kick off against the Cumbrians. 

“In the beginning of the week you’re just getting over the Saturday game,” said Derek, “but Thursday and Friday is the build-up to a cup competition. 

“The balls come out for a new competition, so it’s a new football for Saturday. They get an idea that it is going to be a cup competition, and that’ll be exciting for them.”