Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes makes FA Cup admission ahead of huge Blackpool tie
Blackpool are back in FA Cup action this weekend as they welcome Carlisle United to Bloomfield Road.
Mark Hughes is eyeing a huge FA Cup upset against Blackpool this weekend.
The Seasiders welcome non-league opposition to Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon, looking to progress into the third round of the competition for the sixth time in seven seasons.
Ian Evatt’s men are on a poor run of form, though, and are without a win in any of their previous five matches in all competitions.
They face a Carlisle side who currently second in the National League, having picked up 46 points from their opening 21 league fixtures so far.
The Blues will be backed by more than 3,500 supporters on the Fylde Coast and go into the contest unbeaten in their last 11 matches.
That included a shock upset against Reading in the first round of the competition, claiming a 3-2 triumph against League One opposition at the start of November.
Carlisle United boss eyeing another FA Cup upset
And Hughes is eyeing another giant killing this weekend as they bid to secure a spot in the hat for the third round.
The Carlisle boss told The News and Star: ‘We’re mindful we've got a game quite quickly after [United host Woking next Wednesday], but we're going to enjoy ourselves.
‘We've got a huge following coming with us so we're going to give a good account of ourselves, and hopefully have a really enjoyable day on the seaside.
‘Our great following is going to spur us on. From my own point of view, it's a game we can go there and try and enjoy.
‘You do that by playing well and hopefully having an upset. It’s a bit of a break from the week-in, week-out nature of the league, so we can enjoy ourselves.
‘It's the FA Cup – why wouldn't you want to enjoy it.’
What Ian Evatt has said about Mark Hughes
“I remember playing against him when he was at Southampton.
“I was a very young centre back at that stage, and he tried to make a run and went through me rather than around me - which wasn’t pleasant.
“That was when young players played in the reserve league. It was at the Baseball Ground at Derby, which was a great old school stadium. I can certainly remember it.
“What a pleasure for someone so young to play against a vastly experienced player with the career he had.
“He was a very strong player, an excellent player. I’m looking forward to coming up against him; it’s a good football club with really good people there. I know their sporting director, and I know their owner is trying to do the right things.
“I’m pleased to see them doing well, but come Sunday we want to win the game and show the best version of ourselves.”