Opportunity knocks but Jimmy wary of Vale threat in Cup clash
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink sees a big opportunity for his Burton Albion side in the FA Cup today.
But the manager is fully aware of the threat Port Vale pose if his Brewers side are not at their best in the second round clash at the Pirelli Stadium (3pm).
Vale are fifth in League Two and expected to bring a big following to Burton for the game, with the winners reaching the third round where teams from the top two divisions enter the competition.
Hasselbaink has been encouraged by the Brewers’ recent performances in consecutive League One wins and is ready for a different challenge today.
“It’s a big opportunity,” said Hasselbaink. “We’re playing at home and everyone will think they’re in League Two and it will be easy.
“Me, the staff and the players can’t think that. We know that the FA Cup can cause upsets sometimes. If you’re not right you get punished, so we have to make sure we’re right from minute one.
“We need to really try and be at our best again. At our best, we have got the best chance at winning and being in the next round.
“It’s going to be a big question for us, to see how professional we are. How can we show them respect by making sure that we are at our best.
“We know that they are doing really well in their league, they have the momentum. They are feeling good, they’re winning on a regular basis, so they know what winning looks like and what has to be done to win.
“And because of those type of things, it doesn’t matter if they are in League Two, we have to be at our best and we have to play well.”
Hasselbaink also wants to see his side on the front foot from the start.
“We want to put Port Vale under pressure straight away so they aren’t comfortable, you don’t want to let them settle in,” he added.
“You don’t want to give them any hope. You want to pin them back straight away and don’t let them come out, keep them in their half as much as possible.
“Then the crowd will be behind you and give you more energy.”
Earlier this week, Brewers chairman Ben Robinson urged Albion fans to get behind their team at the Pirelli and Hasselbaink has echoed that.
“I hope the Burton fans really buy into it,” said Hasselbaink.
“The FA Cup is important for the club.
“We know that Port Vale will send their 2,000 allocation, we want to still outnumber them, at least, and, preferably, with as many as possible. Then, hopefully, we will have a really good atmosphere in the stadium, with the right outcome.”
If you’re not right you get punished, so we have to make sure we’re right from minute one Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink