MILLERS ARE THERE FOR THE TAKING
ALEX GUDGER says Solihull Moors can rest with home comforts when big guns Rotherham United visit Damson Park tomorrow night.
In-form Moors have won nine times at home this season – the best record in the National League – which has propelled them into title contention.
Their League One opposition aren’t doing badly either, sitting pretty in the play-offs having taken 19 points from their ten games on the road.
But Gudger, the former Brackley Town centre-back who won the FA Trophy in 2017, reckons their impressive home record could be the difference as Moors bid to reach to FA Cup third round.
“It will be a difficult night, we know that, but it’s definitely there for us,” he told The NLP.
“Ultimately, it’s a free hit for us, there are a lot of people out there going by leagues, and on paper they should win.
“We’re more than capable of winning the game. There’s no pressure on us to deliver. We’ve got a great home record at the minute and anyone that comes to Solihull will know we win games there.
Landmark
“We’ll go into it as it’s another game, it doesn’t change the way we play or setup.”
Gudger knows what it takes to cause an FA Cup upset after sinking Gillingham in the first round with Brackley in 2016.
They were knocked out by Blackpool in the next stage but the 27-year-old believes this Solihull side have the quality to undo Football League opposition.
“We didn’t quite have that cutting edge,” he recalls. “With Solihull I really think there’s a massive scope for us to win games like this and be competitive in every competition – that’s the message from the chairman and the gaffer to be competitive for every trophy available.
“From experience I do believe it’s just on the night, regardless of the opposition. Who’s prepared right, who’s ready, who’s prepared to work harder and makes the better decisions.”
Tomorrow night’s game is another landmark moment for the club with it being their second consecutive run to this round as ambitious chairman Darryl Eales guns for a place in the
Football League.
Gudger was manager Tim Flowers’ first signing back in 2018 and, after signing a contract extension only two weeks ago until 2022, wants to continue the Moors success story. “The club has changed quite a bit with the chairman coming in with the new stand and a new training ground,” he added. “It’s really good, we only feel the benefits from that as player.
“I’ve just signed my extension with the club and looking to kick on now and get promotion this year. Tim’s a fantastic bloke and a great manager. He’s a winner, hook or by crook he wants to win. He’s implemented that winning mentality in the players.
“It’s a great club to be at.”