'It's unbelievable' - Pete Wild urges Hartlepool United squad to take advantage of FA Cup competition
Hartlepool United host Marine on Saturday in the FA Cup.
New Hartlepool United head coach Pete Wild knows only too well the romance of the FA Cup - and is demanding his players make the most of their chance.
Pools, buoyed by the 4-2 win over Forest Green Rovers last weekend in the National League, host Marine from the National League North in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday afternoon with a chance to be in Monday night’s first round proper draw at stake.
During Wild’s time in charge at Oldham, his side enjoyed a memorable FA Cup victory over Premier League outfit Fulham - and he has been reflecting on that ahead of the game.
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Wild, when asked if it is a competition close to his heart, told BBC Tees Sport at the club’s Maiden Castle training base: “It's got me a career, mate. One game actually got me a career! No, I love the FA Cup, it's the biggest competition in the world. Brilliant, isn't it? How good's the FA Cup? So good. It can start people's careers, it can get you a move, it gets fans dreaming of them big away days and the big ties.
“If you can't get up for the FA Cup, what can you not get up for? It's brilliant, and we have to go out this weekend and we have to believe that the FA Cup's the best competition in the world. We're playing a side that are unbeaten in six, are in real good form. I've been watching them all week, they have a real clear identity. It's going to be a tough afternoon and we need to make sure that we harness what we did really well last week. We build on that and we go out there and we go and show that we're a team on the turn and a team for the better.
“It's going to be a tough encounter, but in answer to your question, how good is the FA Cup? It's unbelievable.”
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