“The best players will play against Luton”: AFC Fylde head coach’s challenge to his squad for FA Cup tie
AFC Fylde’s head coach has laid down the challenge to his squad ahead of next month’s FA Cup date.
Craig Mahon says AFC Fylde’s National League match with Eastleigh today is the first of four matches his players have to stake their claim for a starting spot against Luton Town.
Having beaten Harrogate Town in the FA Cup first round last weekend, Monday’s draw gave the Coasters a home tie with Luton on Sunday, December 6.
Between now and then, however, Fylde’s focus will firmly be on consolidating a campaign which sees them fourth in the National League.
This afternoon’s game is followed by a trip to Kidderminster Harriers next weekend, as well as home matches with FC Halifax Town (November 24) and Aldershot Town (November 28).
“The best players will play against Luton,” Fylde’s head coach told the Gazette.
“The next four games, the lads in and out of the team have the chance to give me a headache - and hopefully they give me a headache.
“If they want to play against Luton, they have the chance to do so over the next four games.”
The players’ first chance to impress comes at an Eastleigh team sitting 17th in the table despite only losing one of their eight home league games so far.
Mahon isn’t taking that league position for granted when considering the number of players with EFL experience available to the hosts.
Asked what he expects from them, he said: “They’re a big, strong, powerful team that have caused a lot of upsets in the league this year.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us, one we’re looking forward to, but we go into it with a bit of confidence - and with the mindset of wanting to go there and win.
“They have got a great squad with experience throughout the team, so they are going to be tough and we’ve got to be at our best.
“If we are fortunate enough to get three points, it sends a marker out that we aren’t here to make up the numbers.”