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Keith Hill says FA Cup football is still high on his priority list despite the potential of a cluttered fixture list further down the line.
Wanderers are expected to name a full-strength side against the League Two Pilgrims, with no new injury problems reported since last weekend’s victory against Fleetwood Town.
Hill’s side has as many as four games in hand on some of their rivals in the division – but while the manager will resist the temptation to push players on the cusp of full fitness into Saturday’s squad, he has no qualms about adding another game to the list at the end of the month.
“We’ve got a lot of games left in what will be a short season for us but if we get through in the FA Cup it’s a blessing, it’s not a hindrance to play more football games,” he said.
“I don’t mind if we’re heading into the last two months of the season with a healthy squad playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday. I think it will give us a real drive.
“We want to be involved in the FA Cup for as long as we possibly can.”
Asked if he had players scheduled to return to full fitness, he added: “One or two potentially by MK Dons but bearing in mind it’s the FA Cup week I’d be daft to rush players back. It’s a big tournament but three points is more important to those players at this stage of the season.
“It doesn’t mean we have a burning desire to go out at all – we want to beat Plymouth. But I will deal with what I have available at this moment in time and then revisit things Monday or Tuesday with an eye on the MK Dons game.”
Wanderers have won their last three in all competitions and momentum, as much as anything else, is what Hill is looking to preserve before going back into league action.
“Football’s a game of snakes and ladders sometimes,” he said. “We’ve been happy how the dice have been rolling for us of late but it can go the other way if you are not careful.
“This has been a good week, a wet week, but a smiling week. And that’s a three-point smile and the back-up to all the hard work the players and staff are putting in on a daily basis.
“The FA Cup is always a bit special. It’s a competition I respect. Maybe when I first got into management all I was concerned about was winning league matches but recently I can see considerable benefits.
“I’ve always loved the cup from an emotional point of view – sitting in front of the TV with the family. As a supporter the 1977 final was a big one.
“You create special memories in this competition and every single cup run starts somewhere.”
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Wanderers are expected to name a full-strength side against the League Two Pilgrims, with no new injury problems reported since last weekend’s victory against Fleetwood Town.
Hill’s side has as many as four games in hand on some of their rivals in the division – but while the manager will resist the temptation to push players on the cusp of full fitness into Saturday’s squad, he has no qualms about adding another game to the list at the end of the month.
“We’ve got a lot of games left in what will be a short season for us but if we get through in the FA Cup it’s a blessing, it’s not a hindrance to play more football games,” he said.
“I don’t mind if we’re heading into the last two months of the season with a healthy squad playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday. I think it will give us a real drive.
“We want to be involved in the FA Cup for as long as we possibly can.”
Asked if he had players scheduled to return to full fitness, he added: “One or two potentially by MK Dons but bearing in mind it’s the FA Cup week I’d be daft to rush players back. It’s a big tournament but three points is more important to those players at this stage of the season.
“It doesn’t mean we have a burning desire to go out at all – we want to beat Plymouth. But I will deal with what I have available at this moment in time and then revisit things Monday or Tuesday with an eye on the MK Dons game.”
Wanderers have won their last three in all competitions and momentum, as much as anything else, is what Hill is looking to preserve before going back into league action.
“Football’s a game of snakes and ladders sometimes,” he said. “We’ve been happy how the dice have been rolling for us of late but it can go the other way if you are not careful.
“This has been a good week, a wet week, but a smiling week. And that’s a three-point smile and the back-up to all the hard work the players and staff are putting in on a daily basis.
“The FA Cup is always a bit special. It’s a competition I respect. Maybe when I first got into management all I was concerned about was winning league matches but recently I can see considerable benefits.
“I’ve always loved the cup from an emotional point of view – sitting in front of the TV with the family. As a supporter the 1977 final was a big one.
“You create special memories in this competition and every single cup run starts somewhere.”
Source