By Matt Jones
January 27 2006

Comments from Whaddon Road, as Cheltenham Town are preparing to take on Newcastle United in this weekend's FA Cup fourth round clash.

Cheltenham boss John Ward: "Our incentive is an opportunity to pit ourselves against some of the best players in the country.

"You can't legislate for one moment of brilliance which can change everything and they have players who can do that.

"We can work hard to try and contain them when they have the ball and there are one or two areas where we feel we can find a goal.

"We've scored in 19 or our last 20 games so there's a goal in us if we can find the right areas."

Cheltenham Town keeper Shane Higgs: "Shearer (below) is an outstanding centre-forward, but I just hope he doesn't score against me.

"Whether you are facing Alan Shearer or a forward from our league, it's the same for me. I go into every game looking at it the same way.

"We are not going into the match just to make up the numbers. There was so much pressure on us to get through to the biggest game of our careers that we just want to enjoy the day.

"Our crowds have been a bit low this season, but the ground will be full on Saturday and there will be a great atmosphere."

Robins' skipper John Finnigan: "They have been getting a bit of stick (Bramble and Boumsong) recently, but they are not picked to play every week in the Premiership for no reason."

On Cheltenham's Nigerian striker Kayode Odejayi, he added: "Kayode's pace would cause anybody problems. He has the abilities needed to step up and cause Premiership players real problems.

"He has pace and strength, and pace is a thing that can cause problems at every level, so he will cause them a few problems - I am sure they will know they have been in a game when they come up against Kayode.

"But I think quite a few of our players could surprise a lot of people.

"Newcastle will have lots of possession, we can't get frustrated by that - we have to make it so they can only play in front of us."

Midfielder David Bird (who's wife Nikki is due to give birth at the time of the game): “Nikki has got her ticket and is insisting on being at the game, even though the baby is due the same day.

“She’s told me that the excitement of seeing me score against Newcastle would probably break her waters.

“That could lead to a scene straight out of Footballers’ Wives!”

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