Ian Dawes addressed the media ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup first round tie against Accrington Stanley at Prenton Park.
Dawes spoke about Tuesday’s win at Harrogate Town, this weekend’s opponents Accrington Stanley and the magic of the world’s oldest cup competition.
Dawes said: “The big thing for us moving forward is number one, the players looking like a team on the pitch, both with and without the ball and number two, to play a little bit more relaxed when in possession.
“We want to enjoy having the ball more, be more positive and create more chances. We want to take the game to the opposition more often.
“When you are low on confidence, and things are not working out, you can go into a little bit of a shell, and you can be nervous in possession and make mistakes.
“One mistake can lead to another and then everyone is giving the ball away. The players on Tuesday realised they have to get over that, enjoy the game and if mistakes happen, we have to respond in a more positive manner. Play on the front foot and enjoy the game!
“The big thing for us now is momentum, we have to not take just the result on Tuesday but part of the performance into Saturday’s game. We know Tuesday’s performance wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a good start.
“There were some positive signs without possession but more with the ball, we created a few chances and arguably could have scored more on the night. We have to take that positivity into Saturday’s game and not fear anything of Accrington and go and take the game to them.
“The FA Cup is a fantastic competition. I was lucky a couple of seasons ago when I was at Blackpool, we played Arsenal in the third round and it was a great occasion for everyone.
“It is a competition where anything can happen. We know we have to be at our best to win the game because Accrington are the type of team that if you don’t turn up and be at your best, they will hurt and beat you.
“If we turn up with the right mentality, we can take the game to them and get a result.”