What remains of the Pirates squad from last term will be looking to put to rest the haunting memories of their 6-1 humiliation away to Oxford a year ago, their opponents having only just won promotion back to the Football League after a four year absence. The last time the Hornets clashed with Rovers was three years ago, once again in the Carling Cup, a certain Will Hoskins sentencing the Gas to a 1-0 defeat at Vicarage Road.
Buckle is under no illusions as to the challenge that stands between his side and a second round tie against Leyton Orient, that despite Watford's thus far winless campaign.
"It is going to be a tough game, and we are going to have to be at the top of our game defensively." Said the Rovers boss, "You have to be watertight without the ball against teams from a higher division. If we can do that we still believe we can create chances.
"I think Watford will mix it up. I watched them in pre-season and the Championship is a tough division, it is a physical league, so we will have to be on top of our game physically.
"The players have been great defending the box, we have to go and do that again, but at the same time we have to try and have some quality to try and open them up when we get the opportunity.
"The fact that they have not won yet this season makes them very dangerous. Their manager is a very organised guy, and Watford are a proud club.
"They will not want to come to Bristol Rovers and go out of the competition, they will see this as an opportunity to kick start their season, what we must try and do is try and add as much misery to their season as we can. If we are at our very best, we will have a chance."
The confidence that a Carling Cup run could provide to Buckle's squad, not to mention the financial rewards to the club, are major factors for future success and the former Torquay gaffer noted that he will be taking the competition seriously.
"The Carling Cup is massive. I have always taken great pride in the cups, and we want to do well every game and do ourselves proud and put a good show on for the fans.
"It is a massive game for us, it is one we are not expected to win, we are playing against a very good Championship side, but we are at home, and we fancy our chances. I think it will be a very good game, a fast game, and we will have to be at our very best.
"We would like to build momentum and confidence ahead of our league game on Saturday. There is so much stuff you can take from a good cup run, I have been fortunate over the last four years to have had good cup runs, and I want to continue that.
"It is exciting for the club that we have a Championship side coming down tomorrow night, to see where we are at as a club."
Despite a tough encounter away at Macclesfield on Saturday Rovers still have a strong squad available, Stuart Campbell and Gary Sawyer the only players definitely out while Joe Anyinsah faces a race against time to prove his fitness.
No comments:
Post a Comment