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Oldham feeling weight of expectation against Everton, admits caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk

Oldham take on Everton in the FA Cup after beating Liverpool in the last round

Pa
Friday 15 February 2013 11:50 GMT
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Oldham celebrate their FA Cup victory over Liverpool
Oldham celebrate their FA Cup victory over Liverpool (GETTY IMAGES)

Oldham caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk knows there is more expectation on his side to beat Everton in the FA Cup fifth round following their heroics against Liverpool.

The npower League One strugglers stunned Brendan Rodgers' Reds in the previous round, when they beat them 3-2 at Boundary Park.

Oldham, who have not made it to the quarter-finals of the competition in almost a decade, have been told to remain positive by Philliskirk, who took the reins at the club when manager Paul Dickov stepped down shortly after the win over Liverpool.

"We are under no illusions that we have to be at our maximum," Philliskirk told the Manchester Evening News.

"The goalkeeper and back four have to have stormers. We will need some luck and Everton have to be a bit below par.

"That is not being negative - there is always the magic of the FA Cup and this season there have been more surprises than in years gone by.

"We have to go in with a positive mindset. We are massive underdogs and have everything to gain.

"There is a little bit more expectation on us this time. Nobody gave us a chance against Liverpool which worked in our favour but the element of surprise has gone a little.

"It's a challenge the players should relish."

MK Dons will play npower Championship side Barnsley and Luke Chadwick is hoping to inspire the League One club to another memorable FA Cup victory.

The 32-year-old former Manchester United midfielder made his first start in several weeks against Doncaster on Tuesday after a knee problem had ruled him out since mid-December.

He told MK Dons Player: "The Barnsley game is going to be massive for the club and we owe it to the chairman, the manager and the supporters to put on a good performance.

"It will be an amazing achievement if we can get through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"We'll treat it like any other game, we'll prepare as we always do and we'll go out there and give the same sort of fight that we showed against Doncaster.

"Hopefully, then, with a bit more quality on a better pitch which we'll have at our place, we can win.

"If we do that and get a good draw in the next round then who knows what might happen."

Chelsea will play their fourth-round cup replay against Brentford after returning from Europa League action against Sparta Prague.

The Blues, who won the Champions League in May, exited the premier European competition as holders at the group stage and dropped into the Europa League.

They will host Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after they drew 2-2 against the League One side at Griffin Park, thanks to Fernando Torres' late equaliser.

Arsenal will take on Blackburn at the Emirates, Huddersfield face Premier League side Wigan and non-league Luton face Millwall at Kenilworth Road.

Manchester United, who drew 1-1 against Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 clash at the Bernabeu, will play Reading at Old Trafford on Monday night while Manchester City host Leeds on Sunday afternoon.

PA

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