UPBEAT Accrington boss John Coleman has told Premier League side Fulham they will hate playing at the Crown Ground in the FA Cup today.
The Cottagers, who meet Stanley in the fourth round, can expect an eye-opening experience with the ground, dressing rooms and pitch not quite up to the plush standard they are used to.
Coleman said: “It will be different for Fulham. I can absolutely guarantee Fulham will not be used to what they get here. They will have a right eye-opener when they see the ground and the dressing rooms.
“They might complain about the facilities and moan about having to play at a ground like the Crown - but don’t feel too sorry for them, we have to play at the Crown Ground every week!
“So it’s us that need the sympathy, not Fulham.”
A good humoured Coleman, however, is quietly confident that his side can steal the Sunday morning headlines by shocking Roy Hodgson’s superstars and added: “My lads fear nothing and no-one.
“Some people have said that we will try to make the pitch bad to unsettle them - but why would we do that? We like to play football and that’s what we will do so a bad pitch is the last thing we want.
“Yes, it isn’t like the carpet they are used to but it is as good as it can be after all the bad weather.
“It’s the FA Cup and history is there to be made.”
Stanley chief executive, Rob Heys, added: “Fulham will be a tough game for us, they will bring a few supporters up and so we need as many people as possible to come along and join us as we look to cause a cup upset and make it through to the next stage of the competition.
“If we get the win we are looking for it will be talked about for years to come.
“We would appeal for anyone who isn’t doing anything this afternoon to get a ticket and come and support us, make some noise, get behind the team and hopefully be a part of our success!”
Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for concessions and will be on sale from 9am up until kick-off from the ticket office.
Some areas of the ground now only have limited numbers remaining and supporters are strongly advised to get their tickets in good time to avoid the queues.
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