Manager's bold approach for cup tie
Paul Dickov is hoping fortune favours the brave as Latics prepare for Sunday's FA Cup with Budweiser, fourth-round tie against Liverpool at Boundary Park.Latics' manager will adopt an adventurous approach against the Barclays Premier League giants.
"If we sit off them, especially with the talent Liverpool have in their side, then we will struggle," he explained.
Dickov pointed to the way his team took the game to npower Championship Nottingham Forest in the last round when they caused an upset at the City Ground.
Latics went with three attacking players who were pushed up and went man for man on Forest's three centre back.
Dickov says his players must believe they can pull off a giantkilling act as they did against Forest.
He continued: "I have told the players that there is a shock in every round of the cup and, if there is to be one, let it be us.
"All we can hope for is a bit of luck. We need them to be not quite at their best while we play to our maximum potential."
Dickov believes Liverpool will field a stronger side than in the last round at non-league Mansfield Town where they scraped home 2-1.
Latics' manager says whatever team Liverpool field it will be an enormous challenge for his team.
"We know we are up against it as Liverpool have a fantastic squad of top players who can all play in the Premier League. And irrespective of the team they put out, it will be difficult," he continued.
Dickov recalls last season's 5-1 defeat at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup and the lessons learned in the art of finishing.
"When you are playing against top teams you have to take your chances, something they did and we didn't," said Dickov who added the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game.
Dickov says Boundary Park will be a cultural shock to Liverpool in terms of the facilities compared to other grounds they visit.
"All I can say is that they are top, top professionals who will be able to handle what is put in front of them," he said.
Dickov says there is no pressure on his players and he hopes they go out, enjoy the game and do themselves justice.
"It is not often clubs at our level play a Premier League club live on national television so hopefully my players can show everybody what good footballers they are," he explained.
Dickov says it will be great to have a first full house at Boundary Park in his two-and-a-half years as manager adding it is great for everybody connected with the club.
He concluded: "Times have been tough recently and it is a tie which can bring the fans and players together again.
"To have a sell-out attendance of over 10,000 will be magnificent. We want to repay our supporters by going out and having a really good go."