Paul Lambert says he is keen for Wolves to go as far as possible in this season’s Emirates FA Cup as they prepare for a tough third round tie at Stoke City tomorrow (3pm).
Wolves head to the Britannia Stadium for the first time in almost five years to take on a Potters side unbeaten at home in their last four Premier League fixtures.
So yes, a tough tie, but one in which Lambert says Wolves will go all-out to try and progress in front of a crowd including a sellout following of 4,600 away supporters.
“We’ll go as far as we can,” says the Head Coach.
“If you’re in a competition, go and try and win it.
“We’re up against a really good Premier League side and Mark (Hughes) has done a great job there but the cup sometimes has a great habit of throwing things up.
“There’s pressure on us to an extent because we want to try and get through.
“But it’s like a League One team coming to play us – the pressure would be on us.
“The game is great when you win a trophy or win medals – that’s what the game is.
“That’s the game of football for me.
“When you win things it’s the greatest game of the world.
“The way the game is going now it’s difficult for a Championship team to win it because the Premier League is as strong as it has been for many year with any one of the top six in contention for the title.
“But a Championship team can get really far.
“I will look at possible changes but we are coming up against a really good side so we will have to be strong.
“There are players coming back and others who may need a game because we will need them and there is no better preparation than playing games.
“I have to get a balance of looking at how many games we have had recently one or two knocks, and getting people up to match speed.”
And Lambert is conscious of Wolves putting on a good show – and hopefully making cup progress – in front of such a strong travelling support.
“We have a great following going to the game and will do our utmost to get through,” he added.
“I sense from our crowd that they know we’re playing well and we’ve got a team full of running and energy.
“If we can keep that then regardless of who plays the crowd will back us all day long.
“We’re taking 4,600 fans and it’ll be a great occasion for us.
“If we do what we’ve been doing of late then hopefully we’ll have a chance.”
