Ebbsfleet manager Josh Wright is aiming to complete a hat-trick of cup upsets this season on Saturday.
The Fleet host higher-league Forest Green in the last 32 of the FA Trophy at Stonebridge Road.
Ebbsfleet manager Josh Wright will come up against Forest Green and Robbie Savage in the FA Trophy this weekend at Stonebridge Road Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC
They’ve already knocked out two National League sides in cup games this term, defeating Braintree in the previous round and seeing off Solihull Moors in the FA Cup.
Now they take on a Forest Green side that sit third in the table and have only tasted defeat three times in the league.
“We know how tough Saturday’s going to be but it’s a game that we’re excited for,” said Wright. “We’re on a good run of form, we’re in a good place and we’re ready.
“We’re planning and going through a lot of detail on Forest Green, of their threats and where we can hurt them, like any other game.
“We’ve proved already a couple of times this year that we’ve beaten teams from the league above and we’ve mixed it with even the league above that (against Grimsby in the FA Cup) when on another day, that result could have been different.
“But we know how difficult this game is going to be. They’re certainly one of the stronger sides in the division above and they’ve been in the league in recent years. They’ve got a really big, strong squad in terms of depth and quality and we’re going to have to be at our very best.
“It’s at home where we love to play and we know we’re so strong. With a good fan base that’s always behind us, it’s a game we’re really looking forward to and a game that we’re going out there to win, especially being a cup game.
“We all know that a cup game poses something slightly different to a league game for a few different reasons.”
Wright knows his players can take confidence from already overcoming two National League sides, with the performance against Solihull among the best they’ve produced this season.
“It shows that all the levels are so tight and competitive now,” he added. “Each step that you go up, you climb with more quality and you know there’s going to be more of a threat and more that you’ve got to deal with. But we’ve proven it already, not just once, but a couple of times.
“We know the run that we’re on and on our day, within reason, we can mix it with anyone and can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
“We’re confident at the moment. We’ve got a little bit of momentum and we’re motivated, if you like.
“It’s an exciting game for us and the football club because it’s a good test for us to show where we’re at. We’ve proved it quite a few times this year.”
The match pits Wright up against Forest Green boss Robbie Savage, whose high profile within the game adds extra spice to any game he manages.
The Fleet boss actually had the better of his opposite number during their playing days, completing the double for Scunthorpe when Savage was at Derby and losing out only once in four games.
“Hopefully we can back the double up with another win,” responded Wright. “In terms of Robbie, he does add an extra whatever you want to call it. He’s a great character and a great personality.
“I remember the games against him clearly simply because I was a young boy and he was an experienced pro with a name and, as good as he was in terms of his ability and everything he’d give you on and off the ball, he was also a character on the pitch.
“He’d run and control the game with his voice and his leadership. To me, as a young opposition player, he’d have a way of sort of affecting you in the mind, which is a big thing, but also in and around the referees.
“I had some tough tests against him, some really hard games. I knew I was in for a game from minute one, but I’ve got the utmost respect for him, what he did as a player and now what he’s doing as a manager.
“It will be great to test myself against someone like him and his profile, and go up against him in the dugout.
“It will be good to see him. I’m not sure how much he’ll remember me. It’d be nice if he did, but you never know. I’m sure he’s come across many people and many top people in the game.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for what he’s done in the game so far and what he’s continuing to do. It will be exciting to come up against him on Saturday.”
