Former Celt Chris Sutton dips his toes into the managerial graveyard of the FA Cup tomorrow when he takes Lincoln City to face Conference North side AFC Telford.
The New Bucks Head Stadium is a million miles removed from the stadiums that Sutton graced as a player but already in his management career the former England striker has shown his keenness to roll up his sleeves and get to work at the footballing coalface.
Lincoln haven’t made the second round of the FA Cup since 2003/04 when their manager was dominating Scottish football in the final season of his partnership with Henrik Larsson.
Sitting in 19th place out of 24 in League Two, Lincoln won’t be taking anything for granted at Telford although Sutton happily wasn’t overdoing the cup cliches when he previewed the match.
The Lincoln boss said: “If you’d asked me would I rather draw Norwich, Leeds and Charlton or Telford I would pick Telford, and that’s no disrespect to them because we are expecting a tough game.
UPSETS
“I think over the years they’ve caused a few upsets and last year they were unlucky to lose to Southend, so they will think they’re in with a chance.
“It’s a very special competition and I am aware that we haven’t won through to the second round for the last six years.
“That’s too long and it’s about time we put that right by beating Telford tomorrow, although I realise it will be tough. Myself and Ian Pearce (Sutton’s assistant manager) went to watch them the other night and they are decent.
“They will certainly fancy their chances, especially as they are at home but ultimately it’s about what we do and we simply have to be at it from the first whistle.”
ZAMERETO
Elsewhere in the FA Cup Paul Lambert takes Norwich to face Paulton Rovers who play five levels below the Canaries in the Zamereto League.
Paulton have won through five qualifying rounds to face Norwich with the game a 2,500 sell-out despite being shown live on ITV, kick off 12.45 Saturday.
Loan Celts Simon Ferry and Ben Hutchison will be expecting to progress with Swindon at home to Woking with Ferry on the scoresheet in last week’s 4-1 win at Tranmere.
Evening Herald report from Hamburg