Grimsby Town manager Michael Jolley says the Mariners need to concentrate on themselves in their Emirates FA Cup third round tie with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday (5.30pm).
Town face Roy Hodgson’s side, who sit in 14th-place in the Premier League, at the weekend, with the Mariners aiming to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2000.
And Jolley says it’s important that his side focus on their own game plan, and concentrate on themselves.
Speaking on iFollow Mariners, he said: “We’re all excited and looking forward to the match. It’s obviously a different kind of challenge for us, playing against a Premier League team.
“But the FA Cup is always exciting, and we’ve done well in the games we’ve had so far.
“They’re a fantastic outfit – I think they’re a really good Premier League team, with some top, top players, and a fantastic manager.
“They’ve got multiple options, in terms of the team they can select from their squad, and whatever team they do select, it’s going to be a very strong team, so we’re not under any illusions about the size of the task that faces us.
“But we need to concentrate on ourselves, concentrate on our plans for the game, and try and execute them as best we can.
“On any given day, it’s 11 v 11, and we will be trying to represent Grimsby Town and our supporters in the best possible way that we can.”
And Jolley said that, with the support of the 5,500 travelling Town fans, anything is possible at Selhurst Park at the weekend.
He said: “I know we’re taking a lot of fans down to London to support us, so hopefully it can be a really positive day.
“We’re so grateful for that, and our fans are incredibly passionate people, and they’re proud of their football club.
“It’s nice for them to have this game, and we really appreciate the fact that they’ll be there in so many numbers.
“And we’d ask them to stick with the lads, and get behind us as best they can. It’s going to be a tough game for us, but with our fans cheering us on then all things are possible.”
