They will be in the kind of shoes we were in

Last updated : 02 January 2010 By Tony Scholes
Ince, now in his second spell as manager of the Franchise, said: "I've been involved in the FA Cup before and I've seen games where, if the Premier League team doesn't turn up and play, we're a good side and there's no reason why we can't cause an upset.

"There was always a fear of losing to a lower league opposition and having the embarrassment of being a victim of one of the banana skins. As the bigger team, you tell your players to do the right things but, when they go out there, that doesn't always happen and suddenly the lesser team are in amongst you and that's where upsets happen.

"We'll go out and enjoy it, but we'll be going out there to win it. It's a chance to pit our wits against Premier League opposition and we'll see where it takes us. If you can't relish playing against Premier League players you shouldn't be playing football."

Asked about Burnley's away record this season, Ince added: "That counts for absolutely zilch, it's like a derby game, form counts for nothing. They play good football. I saw them against Portsmouth a few weeks ago and they absolutely battered them but ended up losing the game. I couldn't understand it.

"They've got some good players like Chris Eagles and Kevin McDonald and they're a good footballing side. If anything that'll be good for the game.

"We were different class against Huddersfield and Stockport and, if we can replicate that here in front of a big crowd, then who knows what might happen?

"There's no pressure on us to win the game and it will be interesting to see what kind of team Burnley turn up with. Their priority will be to stay in the Premier League and sometimes that can work in your favour, but we'll address that when we see their team."

Burnley reached the fifth round last season having gone out at the first hurdle in the three previous seasons and Owen Coyle is looking to have another cup run and doesn't want the Clarets to be victims of a giant killing.

"I have said to the players that they will be filling the shoes we were in, so they will be fired up," he said.

"They will be in the kind of shoes we were in when we were in the Championship playing bigger clubs, so we know it's a tough game. They will want to take our scalp so we have to make sure we are at our best and if we are we can win the game and that's what we have to look to do.

"For me the FA Cup is the best national cup competition in world football, bar none, and that's why I want to make sure we have a win in it.

"I loved the cup runs I had as a player and we had a great run last year as well, beating QPR and West Bromwich Albion who were a Premier League team, and then going to the Emirates to play Arsenal. The fans, everybody at the football club and myself as the manager love the FA Cup.

"Paul Ince has some very good players so it will be a tough game but I certainly want an extended run in the FA Cup."

Speaking about his squad he said of Richard Eckersley, David Edgar and Brian Easton: "You don't pay £250-£300,000 and get ready made players for the Premier League. We spend that money on young players we feel we can develop and evolve.

"We do have injuries and suspensions so there will be a freshness to our team because they are enforced changes. Whether we decide to freshen up one or two other areas is something we'll look at.

"But whoever pulls that jersey on they will be fit enough and ready to wear the jersey with pride and be of the quality we expect wearing a Burnley shirt. You only have to look to the example of Michael Duff, who had been sat waiting patiently on the bench. His chance came and he has done ever so well.

"We have got good players waiting in the wings and it's up to them when they come in to wear their jersey with pride and show the quality that brought them to the club in the first place.