Source: Northern_Echo
Quakers boss keen to claim another Cup scalp
Darlington take on League One Bristol Rovers in today's first round tie and FA Cup specialist Mark Cooper is relishing the prospect.[LNB] Some of Cooper's best days as a manager have come in the competition with giantkillings being his speciality while in charge at both Tamworth and Kettering.[LNB] He has overseen shock wins over Bournemouth, Lincoln City and Notts County, while he has twice won FA Cup ties at Hartlepool United, most recently a year ago this weekend.[LNB] I've got a decent Cup record over the last few years.[LNB] I really enjoy the FA Cup, pitting your wits against bigger clubs, working out how to get a result and how to set up against them, said Cooper.[LNB] I've told the players careers can change because of an FA Cup run. I got the chance to manage in the Championship at Peterborough because of the FA Cup.[LNB] Although it didn't last long![LNB] But I got the chance to be there because of having various Cup runs and doing reasonably well in the league.[LNB] I've told the players that if we win on Saturday we'll be on ITV that night, make sure it's you who's scoring the winning goal.[LNB] Cooper will hope his luck in the competition rubs off on Darlington, who have yet to win an FA Cup game at The Northern Echo Arena, having had four home ties since leaving Feethams.[LNB] Cooper added: Our players are testing themselves against League One players and I'm sure if you asked them a few would tell you that they should be playing in League One so this gives them a chance to go and show it.[LNB] You have to give your players belief, you have to come up with a way of playing that keeps you in the game for as long as possible, you have to identify your opposition's strengths and weaknesses.[LNB] Plus you need some luck and you need your goalkeeper to play well.[LNB] Bristol Rovers will have a long trip up here and hopefully they won't fancy it, the crowd will get behind us and we'll have a chance.[LNB] Darlington pulled off a surprise 2-0 win last Saturday at Wimbledon, who were unbeaten at home, but Cooper must make at least one change today as Liam Hatch is unavailable.[LNB] Peterborough have refused permission for the 26-year-old to play, so Kevin Austin is likely to return to the side against one of his nine former clubs.[LNB] He spent two years with Rovers after signing for them in 2002, making 61 appearances, including one as a sub in a 4-0 win at the Arena in October 2003.[LNB] Austin was on the bench last week, which is where right-back Paul Arnison may find himself today.[LNB] He has recovered from a groin strain which kept him out for three games, but Cooper was pleased with display of captain Ian Miller against Wimbledon.[LNB] One of the goalscorers last week, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, has been a star performer since joining on loan from Carlisle three weeks ago and Cooper believes a new system gets the best out of the attacking midfielder.[LNB] We've been trying to find a balance and a system that suits the players we've got,'' he said.[LNB] We've brought Bridge- Wilkinson into the club and he's a total football player. To get the best out of him we've had to find a system that could accommodate him and play as much as we could through him.[LNB] That's what we've done over the last few games and that's what we will try and continue to do.'' However, Cooper was disappointed to lose Danny Powell, whose one-month loan expired this week and MK Dons did not wish to extend it.[LNB] We would like to have kept him because of his pace, said Cooper. Everyone at the game last Saturday will have seen that once Wimbledon tried to chase the game we put Danny on and he caused a lot of problems with his pace.[LNB] It's a good asset to have but he's gone back to MK Dons now and that leaves us one body short.[LNB] Bristol Rovers will name a strong side today but they are without first-choice keeper as on-loan Mikkel Anderson has been refused permission to play by Reading. So 21-yearold Mike Green comes into the side for only his fourth appearance of the season.[LNB] The Pirates are 12th in League One 48 places above Darlington and a fortnight ago drew 2-2 at Hartlepool.[LNB]
