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Club News

Yates: We'll Give It Our Best Shot

4 January 2013

Club News

Yates: We'll Give It Our Best Shot

4 January 2013

Mark Yates believes their FA Cup tie against Everton is great for the public of Cheltenham.

Mark Yates speaking to the press ahead of the New Year's Day clash with Oxford United:

"It's a great cup-tie for the town. The Tottenham fixture last year was brilliant because it was away from home and it's a fantastic stadium for the lads to go away and experience and we did alright. This one's at our place with 7000 supporters, if will be a fantastic atmosphere and to see Premier League players at Whaddon Road will be brilliant. I'll make sure my boys are relaxed and will enjoy it and if they do that then they will give a good account of themselves.

"I think Tottenham last year were just too good for us. We gave a really good account of ourselves, particularly in the first half. Everton are a different side to Tottenham, they've got many quality players whoever they play. Whether they play the reserves that played yesterday against Coventry or the team that played Newcastle. They've got quality in abundance and I'm sure my players will go out there and give it their best shot.

"It's at home, cameras are here, we were fortunate enough to get the cameras here in the previous round but that was for a giant killing against us, a non-league side beating us. For this one, hopefully everyone wants to see the underdog win. We'll give it our best shot.

"It's a good tie for everyone, with the exposure the clubs getting, the players for the experience but they want to do themselves proud as well. We've had a couple of days off, we're just getting back working again and by Monday they'll be ready. They won't be too scared, we won't frighten them in terms of what we'll show them. They'll know bits and pieces about Everton and we'll go out and give it our best shot. We're at home so it's our best chance. We'll have the majority of the support and hopefully we perform to the best of our abilities.

"The money from the FA Cup is good. I don't know how much I'm going to get of it but all I'm bothered about now is getting back on the training ground today and work towards Monday. Making sure the mood is good, making sure the players are in the right frame of mind because we want to cause a shock. I know that's a big task but we've got the capability to do it.

"Everton have got their own way of playing. Sometimes when you play a Premier League team you might want them to hit it long, but not necessarily when they've got the likes of Anichebe, Jelavic and Fellaini winning headers. They've got options with those three up top and whoever else they've got.  They can go long, they can play, hopefully a number of them don't play but I'm sure the manager will be taking it very seriously and will play a team he will think can win. Whether he plays the same team as he did against Newcastle or makes three of four changes.

"We're going to have to be on top of our game to cause an upset and Everton will have to be a little bit off it and take us a little bit lightly. We'll have 5,500 supporters behind us and Whaddon Road will be a good place to be on Monday night. Hopefully the supporters will inspire the players and the players will give them something back. We are hoping, its 11 men versus 11 men and we can certainly hope.

"Everton have been very thorough in their preparations from what I can gather. I know they've had us watched five or six times. They won't be taking us lightly.

"Our players know how good they are, we'll try and play to our strengths but the quality of opposition is better than what we're used too. The cup's got a tradition of shocks and why not us?

"I think everyone regards David Moyes as one of the best managers around. He's been there 10 years and they've been going along nicely. From what I can gather they're desperate to win something but we have to make sure we're as good as we can be.

"It will be great for the public of Cheltenham. To witness Premier League stars in their own back yards. It's completely different to what the fans would normally see but hopefully on the day we can scare them,  we can get into them and try and make them play off their game. If we can do that then we'll have a little bit of a chance.

"This is about the club, this is about the Cheltenham public and yes there's an excitement but there's a professionalism as well. We want to beat them. We want to get through. We want to go as far as we can in the cup, unfortunately we've got Everton but hopefully that doesn't mean the end of it. "

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