Darrell Clarke happy for Walsall to be the underdog
Boss Darrell Clarke wants Walsall to relish the rarity of being underdogs in today’s FA Cup second round clash with Oxford United.
The Saddlers welcome the League One U’s to the Banks’s aiming to spring a surprise and potentially land a plum third round tie against a Premier League big gun.
Walsall have endured a testing start to life in League Two following last season’s relegation and Clarke sees the cup as a welcome break from the weekly pressures of the league campaign.
He said: “You are always going to have the expectation levels when you are a team coming down into a new league, as we were.
“This is a game we can go and enjoy, the chance to be an underdog for a change and see if we can get in the third round.
“I think the lads have got to go and try and express themselves, which is what I ask them to do in every single game.
“There is no foot off the gas. It is not a day off we are going to try and win a cup tie.
“It would be very nice for us to have a cup run. We are in a disappointing position in the league but cup football and the FA Cup is a special competition and one we want to do well in.”
Oxford are unbeaten in 15 matches and Clarke added: “They have the momentum we all crave.”
