South Shields boss demands focus in bid for FA Cup first round place

Ian Watson has called for South Shields to focus on themselves as they look to reach the FA Cup first round proper with a home win against Spalding United on Saturday.

The in-form Mariners are favourites to land a place in Monday night’s first round draw when potential ties with former Premier League clubs Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City and Luton Town lie in wait. Watson’s men are also looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games as they host a Spalding side sat in fourth place in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

The Mariners boss has revealed he and assistant Carl Magnay have done their homework on the visitors - but will remain focused on coaxing the best possible performance out of their own player as they look to lead South Shields into the first round for the third time in the last six seasons.

He told The Gazette: “We have to focus on us but we always want to do that every week. We always look at the opposition and assess their strengths and where weaknesses could be and it’s no different in this game.

“As a club, as a team, we have to make sure the mentality is right and that’s not just in this game, that’s in every game we play. We are approaching it like it’s a cup final, we are making sure we are prepared, we are ready and with full belief in ourselves. We have to show our intensity and energy and we have to bring those or the opposition can hurt us.”

The threat posed by Spalding is clear to see with the Tulips arriving at the 1st Cloud Arena on the back of causing two major FA Cup shocks against step two sides Alfreton Town and Dagenham and Redbridge to tee up their visit to South Tyneside.

That is why Watson is wary of getting too carried away and wants his players to ‘be present’ in Saturday’s tie and forget about the prize that will lie in wait for the victors.

He said: “It’s a huge game at this point and the stakes are higher. The finances are important for clubs at our level but for the players it’s a chance to potentially play against a huge club and showcase yourself and see where you are against these big clubs. As coaches we want to do the same and that means Saturday is a real opportunity but we can’t focus on that, we just have to be present and focus on what we want to do.”

Support

One of the Mariners’ biggest games of the season so far coincides with the international break and that means Premier League neighbours Newcastle United and Sunderland are not in action as several members of their squad represent their countries. That has raised hopes the 1st Cloud Arena could play host to an increased crowd as the local community get behind the Mariners in their bid to land a spot in the first round once again.

Watson hailed the support he and his squad have received during the opening months of his managerial reign as the former Carlisle United and MK Dons assistant has led South Shields to the top of the National League North table.

With league crowds sitting either side of the 2,000-mark during the first five games of their league campaign, the Mariners boss is hopeful another sizeable crowd will be on hand as his side look to deliver another memorable occasion for their supporters.

“One of the big draws of coming to the club was the crowds and the unbelievable support they give us,” he explained. “The fans have been amazing with us, particularly those behind the goal, they get the place rocking. In terms of numbers, we want it to increase to reward the boys for the good start to the season and we are hoping that will increase on Saturday with the other clubs in the area not playing. It’s a big game and it’s a big game for the community and we want to give them more memories to enjoy.”

Personal

In an opening two months of the season full of positivity, Watson received another boost earlier this week when he was named as National League North manager of the month for September after also landing the same award in August.

That is hardly a surprise as South Shields are now the only unbeaten side in their division after securing eight wins and two draws from their first ten games in a run of form that has taken them three points clear of second placed AFC Fylde.

However, the Mariners boss shrugged off any personal accolades and stressed it was a ‘whole club effort’ to ensure a promising start to the campaign does not go to waste.

“Look, it’s not something I receive and think this is all about me,” stressed Watson. “This is something that I am just one part of and I’m just one person trying to help the club achieve what they want to achieve. The players are massively responsible in what we have done so far this season and at this football club everyone is equal. It’s recognition for the complete football club and it’s reward for the hard work that everyone is putting in to drive the club forwards. In reality, it doesn’t mean anything, all it does mean is that we have to keep working even harder to ensure there is a big reward at the end of the season."

Although the biggest reward of the season may have to wait until next May, the Mariners can land a sizeable one with a win at the 1st Cloud Arena on Saturday.

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