Graham Alexander has called on his players to approach the game in the same manner that they did in Saturday’s victory over Gloucester City ahead of tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Sky Bet League 1 side Carlisle United.
Town have already beaten Carlisle’s fellow League 1 sides, Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra, and will be aiming to make it a hat trick to secure their place in the semi-finals of the north section in front of the Sky cameras.
Carlisle will be returning to the coast for the second time in succession after beating Town’s local neighbours, Morecambe, via the lottery of the penalty shoot out after a 0-0 draw last month to set up tonight’s quarter final clash.
Alexander admits he is expecting a tougher game against Graham Kavanagh’s side, but insisted his players are fully equipped for tonight’s challenge.
“We have had two cup games on the trot and we will be looking for a similar result to Saturday,” Alexander told Cod Army Player.
“That would be fantastic, but we will have to work hard because we are playing a team from a higher level, which we have done in the previous two games (against Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra).
“We equipped ourselves well in those two games so we will be looking to do the same again.
“Mentality will be saying that Gloucester gave us a competitive game, but obviously the quality of the player from League 1 will be slightly higher.
“I’m sure the approach will be the same and the approach has got to be the same from us as well.
“We have to go into the game competitive and look to win. We don’t do anything different, we do that with every game and tomorrow will be no different.”
Town’s manager is expecting a great atmosphere tonight, but also aired on the side of caution but saying he wants his players to focus on the game rather than the occasion.
“It all adds up to what will hopefully be a good game and I think it is two good teams as well. It’s one of those occasions that you love to be a part of as a player because there is always a different atmosphere at night.
“We have to got to try and focus on the things that win us games and that’s the bit that happens on the pitch, its about the 11 vs 11, the defending, the attacking and the set pieces.
“That’s what our focus is on now until kick off, and if we do those things right, then we know we are a good team.”
“We just look forward to each game that we play; we enjoy being around the match days, the whole preparation about it, the watching your players play and trying to beat your opposition.
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of that. Whatever competition in play in, or whatever opponents we play against, we look forward to the game.
“Our full focus in on Carlisle, nothing else, and as soon as that game is over with, win, lose or draw, we will look forward to the Northampton game and prepare for that.
“We are quite consistent with how we have been so far this season. As soon as we have played the game we take what we can from it and learn from it.
“We are fully focused on the game ahead and that’s what we will do from now until the end of the season."