Bloor: It's a fantastic tie for the whole football club
I caught up with Eastbourne Borough manager Danny Bloor this week ahead of their FA Cup tie against Blackpool:
TK: Four league games into the season so far, how pleased are you with the start to the season?
DB: Yes, I’m satisfied and particularly pleased with the team spirit but there is plenty to work and improve upon as the season goes on.
TK: And the goal scoring form of Chris Whelpdale is impressive so far, was that something you tried to encourage to take the burden off the strikers?
DB: Not particularly, but of course it’s a major bonus when goals come from all over the pitch and not just one or two players.
TK: How easy or difficult is it to get the players mentally prepared to play in empty stadiums?
DB: It’s not been easy at all but it has meant really getting the boys fired up in the changing room. We have had to make our own atmosphere which so far seems to have worked.
TK: Do you feel that it has created a real togetherness amongst you, your staff, and the players?
DB: 100% as a whole group
TK: Turning attentions to the FA Cup, what was your initial reaction when Blackpool were drawn out of the hat to come to Priory Lane?
DB: It’s a fantastic tie for the whole football club and we are delighted to host a club with such an outstanding FA Cup pedigree.
TK: Is it tempered with a slight disappointment that spectators won’t be close to the action on the pitch?
DB: It’s the way the world is now in all aspects of our lives, we just have to get on with it but I know our supporters, the best in Sussex, will be supporting us from a distance.
TK: Bearing in mind the restrictions currently, is there a plan to scout the opposition before the tie?
DB: We had them watched on Tuesday night at AFC Wimbledon and we will watch them again at Burton on Saturday, I may go myself to watch them at home to Wigan on Tuesday night.
TK: Are you confident you can spring a surprise and take the club into the Second Round for the first time ever?
DB: How can you be confident, they’re a football league side! What we can be is very well prepared and committed to trying to cause a shock result. The pressure is all on Neil (Critchley) and his Blackpool team, they will be massive favourites to progress but in every round there are one or two upsets.
TK: Have the players been fairly grounded despite this big tie looming on the horizon?
DB: Honestly, before our win at Hampton on Tuesday night I banned all talk of the Blackpool game until after 5pm this Saturday following our game at home to Welling.
TK: What would it mean to the club as a whole to have a good cup run this year?
DB: Well I think we have already had a very good cup run so far this season but now we want more, we want the icing on the cake.
*Since speaking to Danny on Thursday afternoon Borough’s game has been selected for TV coverage on Sun 8th November ko 2.30pm live on BT Sport 1.