We can upset the odds
Yemi Odubade can draw inspiration from one of the great FA Cup shocks as Maidstone look to upset Rochdale.
Stones striker Odubade was with Stevenage when they beat Premier League Newcastle 3-1 almost six years ago.
Graham Westley’s League 2 side cared little for reputations, got in the Magpies’ faces and sent them packing.
Odubade remembers it well and has some advice for his Stones team-mates as they prepare to meet League 1 Rochdale at the Gallagher on Sunday.
He said: “Treat the players like any other players. Don’t think that they’re two leagues above us.
“Go out and play our game, stamp our authority and who knows? There are upsets, there are giant-killings every year and if we can get that in our heads, we are more than capable.
“I know a few lads here could play in League 1 comfortably, it’s just the timing and decision-making that’s the difference.
“We have got some good players, Rochdale haven’t played on 3G in League 1, that’s another thing, so we have to use that to our advantage as well.”
Odubade scored in the shoot-out as Stevenage beat MK Dons on penalties at the start of their FA Cup run.
Victory over AFC Wimbledon followed, to set up a home tie against Alan Pardew’s Newcastle in round three.
Odubade said: “The build-up was huge. From the Monday, every single day at the training ground there were camera crews and photographers everywhere.
“We thought we had a good chance because we were a physical side, we felt we may be able to rough them up and we did.
“That’s what happened. They didn’t fancy it all.
“We got in their heads and won quite comfortably. It could have been four or five.
“It was an unbelievable feeling. I didn’t start but I did come on and to win that game was brilliant.
“To be fair, the Newcastle lads were brilliant after the game.
“They congratulated every single one of us and so did Pardew.”
Odubade goes into FA Cup weekend on the back of his 89th-minute winner against Macclesfield.
He’d only been on the pitch four minutes when he met Jamar Loza’s cross.
Odubade said: “When the gaffer called me to get ready he said, ‘go on and get the winner for us’ and I was like, ‘OK, I’ll do my best’ and my best was good enough.
“To be fair, I saw Jam running down the wing and I was like, ‘no one’s going to catch him’ so I was thinking I better make the box.
“We caught eyes so he knew my run and he’s put in a great ball – he couldn’t have put a better ball in.
“Some people try and go near stick but I knew if I hung back it was going to get to me eventually.
“They are the best sort of wins, last-minute goals, whether it be friendlies, league, cup. They’re all brilliant.”
It was Odubade’s first goal since his double at Torquay on his first Stones start.
He was dropped at Sutton and was on the bench against Macclesfield but, at 32, he knows how football works.
Odubade said: “I understand. The gaffer wants to freshen things up now and again. I’m totally aware of that.
“It’s good, it’s helping the team and pushing us in the right direction.”