We need to put teams to the sword, says Fleet boss Liam Daish

Sunday 31st October 2010

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish says he wants his strikers to show arrogance in front of goal and put away the chances that knocks AFC Wimbledon out of the FA Cup on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet travel to Kingsmeadow full of confidence as they stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games following their 2-1 away win at St Albans City yesterday, courtesy of goals from Calum Willock (his eight goal of the season) and Tom Phipp’s fourth of the campaign.

The Kent side remain in the top six in the Blue Square Bet South table with 22 points from 12 games and are only six points adrift of leaders Braintree Town.

AFC Wimbledon, meanwhile, dropped one place to second in the league above - the Blue Square Bet Premier - following a 2-0 home defeat by Darlington in front of 3,954 fans yesterday - but Daish doesn’t fear Terry Brown’s side going into the First Round showdown.

The last time that Ebbsfleet United reached the First Round of The FA Cup was in November 2008, but they were defeated 1-0 away to Crewe Alexandra.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Daish said: “It will be a really tough game. I just want to be a part of a good Cup game and we play our part and we go out there and see where it takes us. The lads will go there as underdogs, we’ll go up there and have a right go at it.

“The spirits good, I just hope we have a little bit of the rub of the green.”

When asked whether the game against AFC Wimbledon is winnable, Daish replied: “They’re all winnable but it’s going to be a difficult, but who knows? We’ve proved that we’re not bad away from home, we’ve played how many games now? Which we’ve lost two all year.

“If we’re not confident going into this game, I don’t think we’ll ever be!”

Reflecting on their win at Clarence Park, a result that ensures The Fleet remain unbeaten on the road, Daish said: “It’s another away win and our record away is extended.

“I said to the lads’ at half-time we really want to turn those hard luck stories in the final third into goals. We’re getting into great areas, good play and we really need to kill teams off with that final cross, shot, whatever and show a little bit more composure, be a little bit more relaxed, arrogance, whatever it is and really put teams to the sword.”

Meanwhile, members of MyFootballClub have relented on their policy regarding Daish's transfer dealings.

Last week the fans' website, who own 70% of the club, voted that all signings had to be voted on by members.

They received criticism from supporters and club secretary Peter Danzey that this put Daish at a disadvantage.

Now a new proposal has been passed that only signings with a transfer fee, or those that exceed the playing budget, will go to a public vote.

Only 459 of MyFootballClub's 3,000 members voted for the proposal, with just 66 voting against.

Pete Langton, MyFootballClub's society board chairman, told BBC Radio Kent: "We have no interest in disadvantaging Liam. I spoke to the member who put the original motion forward and that was not his intention.

"His intention was to engage members and get more people interested and aware of what was going on at the football club."

In the past player sales have gone to the vote but Daish has never had to put a potential new signing to the members, and Langton does not see them ever rejecting any player.

"No I don't think so. Liam has got an extensive knowledge of a lot of players. The only circumstance I can see of us saying 'no' is if money is too tight," he added.

FA Cup wins over Cray Wanderers (at the second attempt), Needham Market and Boreham Wood has banked the Stonebridge Road club £24,500 in prize money and recorded highlights of this match from ITV will bank the club a further £6,750, along with a further £18,000 in prize money if they get through this round.

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent www.bbc.co.uk/kent

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

AFC Wimbledon v Ebbsfleet United

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Round

Saturday 6th November 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm

At Kingsmeadow Stadium, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 3PB