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Cameron Jerome has given Wanderers the inside track on Sunday’s FA Cup opponents Luton Town.
The former Hatters striker is interested to see how well his former club copes with the tag of favourites, having spent each week in the Premier League punching above their weight.
And he believes the notorious tight Kenilworth Road pitch which has tripped up a few big guns already this season, won’t be as big an issue for the Whites.
“To be honest, if we were going to the Etihad, the Emirates or Tottenham’s new stadium then maybe I’d expect us to be in awe of the surroundings but, no disrespect to Luton, we are used to grounds like that. We are privileged to play at this fantastic stadium for home games but when we travel to Fleetwood, Bristol Rovers or Burton, places like that, then it is what we are used to, the smaller old-fashioned grounds where the pitch is on top of you.
“To the outside us going there and getting a result would be a huge shock because it is a Premier League side against a League One side – and I have been in that position, they don’t want to end up on the wrong end of an upset.
“To us, we’re quietly confident that if we stick to the game-plan, what we show on a weekly basis we can cause them problems.
“It is the magic of the cup, there’s no guarantees, the Premier League side will try and stamp their authority. We respect them but we fancy our chances of causing a shock.”
Jerome has played 32 games in the FA Cup in his career and scored for Luton in 2022 against Harrogate Town at the third-round stage.
Still waiting for his first competitive strike for Bolton, Jerome says his wait has been an agonising one – albeit with some extenuating circumstances.
“As a forward you want goals and I have found myself in an unusual situation, limited game time, so it is what it is,” he said.
“As an experienced player I know you can have these moments in your career. Playing a back-up role is something I haven’t really done in my career but at this stage I have had to accept it, really, this is the transition phase I am in. I didn’t join to be a number one striker.
“If that is five minutes here and there, to see the game out and get the game over the line, I am happy to do that. I feel like I am contributing in that respect.
“As for the goals, the boys who are playing week-in, week-out, I’ll leave the load for them to score.
“Of course, I want to change it – I came off on Saturday and thought ‘how did I not score that one?’ “You need rhythm, you need an edge. You can do all the training drills you want, have all the experience behind you, but if you are not getting match practice then you are going to be out of synch a bit.”
Jerome spent 18 months with Luton, helping to lift them towards the top end of the Championship in a similar back-up role.
“There was a bit more game time and it was more regular, but at this stage of my career it is what is required,” he said. “The manager needs me on a day-to-day basis on the training ground, giving that bit of wisdom, even to the coaching staff if there is something they can pick my brains about.
“I am still grateful to be out there, doing my best with the lads and helping a club to be successful.”
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