WE go into the FA Cup this lunchtime when we travel down to Merstham for our first round tie.

I will admit that when the draw was made I had to look it up to see where it was.

But since then we have been very thorough in our preparations, as we always are.

We have been to see them play, have talked to scouts and got reports.

By the time kick-off comes around we will be 100 per cent switched on.

It has been strange for me this week because everyone keeps talking as though we are the underdogs!

I understand where that comes from – it’s a big game on TV and outside of Oxford everyone else watching is going to be cheering on Merstham and hoping to see an upset.

That’s why so many Oxford fans were watching Eastleigh against Swindon last night!

We have to deal with that pressure and make sure that our attitude and professionalism are spot on.

I think we can draw on our experience in two very different FA Cup games last year.

Firstly, we went to Braintree and had to dig deep before we could finish them off in a replay.

They fought for everything, they had a game plan and they raised their game.

Merstham will do exactly the same today.

We were then lucky enough to draw Swansea at home in the third round and showed what you can achieve, even if you start the game as massive underdogs.

We were three divisions below Swansea, but they had an off day, we played well, and we caused an upset.

It put us on the map, it lifted the whole club and the memories will be with the fans for years.

We celebrated and enjoyed the moment but trust me, those Swansea players will still be haunted by that defeat.

We have to use that as further motivation to make sure we come off the pitch smiling this afternoon rather than heads down and humbled.

We should have Ryan Ledson back in the squad and possibly Wes Thomas after a niggling calf injury which we hope has finally settled down.

But whoever plays will wear the shirt with pride and be doing all they can to get us through to the draw for the next round.

IT was good to see Rob Hall and Ryan Ledson score in a friendly we set up against Nike Academy up at St George’s Park this week.

The facilities are fantastic and it is a worthy centre for our national teams.

All clubs are encouraged to make use of the pitches and we got what we needed from the game – sharpness for a number of players who may be involved today.

Unfortunately it came at a cost with Sam Long picking up a hamstring injury.

Sam is a fantastic lad and a model professional who remains an important part of the squad here.

We will be sensible with his recovery, but you know he will be back in contention as quickly as possible.