Wycombe's Joe Jacobson targets another FA Cup scalp in Aston Villa
Joe Jacobson has told Wycombe exactly how to sink Premier League foes Aston Villa in the FA Cup, eight years after he played a part in dumping out Roy Hodgson's Fulham.
Jacobson blasted home a spot-kick as Bristol Rovers stunned top-flight club Fulham in a penalty shoot-out victory in 2008's FA Cup third round.
The 29-year-old full-back is eyeing another shock this weekend as League Two Wycombe host the Premier League's basement club at Adams Park on Saturday.
Former Cardiff defender Jacobson addressed his team-mates earlier this week, insisting cup upsets are "not that rare" and that Wycombe can put a struggling Villa team low on confidence off their stride.
"I think what that cup run with Bristol Rovers taught me is that it just puts the thought in your head that anything's possible," Jacobson told Press Association Sport.
"With the magic of the FA Cup, you see every year that there are upsets. And we want to be that one team, if we can, to be on the back pages.
"I've spoken to the boys about it and just said, 'Look, I've managed to beat a couple of Premier League teams in my time and it's not that rare a thing that teams in the lower leagues can beat Premier League teams'.
"You've just got to ensure you're right on your game, that you get that bit of luck that helps you through, and the ball, the conditions, all that can help and we've got to take advantage of it."
Jacobson and Bristol Rovers reached the quarter-finals in 2008, only to be swept aside 5-1 by West Brom. The former Wales Under-21 international will never forget knocking out Premier League side Fulham - then led by current England manager Hodgson - and holding his nerve to fire home in the penalty shoot-out.
Now Jacobson believes Wycombe boast the same kind of unity and spirit that underpinned Rovers' giant-killing exploits.
Villa have slipped to 15 matches without a win in all competitions amid a miserable relegation battle, with manager Remi Garde struggling to turn the tide in Birmingham.
Jacobson fully accepts Wycombe must produce flawless football to topple Saturday's visitors, but he still believes Wanderers can unsettle Garde's luckless side.
"We beat Fulham in the third round back in 2008, Roy Hodgson had just taken over and we drew 2-2 at their place," said Jacobson.
"It was a terrible nil-nil at our place but we managed to beat them on penalties, and I managed to score mine.
"We managed to go right to the quarter-finals and we were beaten convincingly in the end by West Brom.
"I've been telling the other players we've got to use every single advantage we can. I know they've been having a bad time of late, but they are still a Premier League team," he said.
Wycombe are set to be boosted by the presence of Marcus Beanand Paul Hyes, with the duo set to overcome ankle problems in time to feature for Gareth Ainsworth's men, although goalkeeper Matt Ingram misses out due to suspension.
"They've got Premier League quality, they've got international players. So if they turn up and perform to their best they're going to beat us.
"But we need to make sure that we play to our full potential, give it a right good go, play the game how we play and not change anything for them.
"And hopefully we can use the conditions, which haven't been great.
"The tight ground for them might be a little bit intimidating and something a little different.
"If we can get a bit of luck we need a few of these factors to go our way, and then why not? Why can't we beat Villa?
"That's how we've got to approach it. We've got nothing to lose, we're massive underdogs - but everyone wants to be that team that causes a massive upset."
Villa have been dealt a severe blow by the news that former Barcelona winger Adama Traore has been ruled out for up to two months with a broken foot.
Garde will also be without Carlos Sanchez and Alan Hutton through hamstring injuries, but Jordan Ayew and Ashley Westwood return from suspension to boost the Frenchman's options.
Garde is yet to win a game since taking charge at Villa Park, and has suggested the struggles are not solely down to him.
"My success is not here at the moment but in only two months it is difficult to solve a problem which has been accumulated for many years," he said.
"This is not an excuse. It's just what I see now. I am trying to do all I can with my experience and my network to change this.
"I don't want to spent too much energy on what should have happened. I was not brought in to judge what happened before. I am here to solve this problem which the club has had for quite a long time."
Source: PAR
