Chasing the dream

James Wesolowski: the midfielder (left, in action in the 1-1 draw at Roots Hall), says Athletic know what they have to do to get the better of Southend tonight.

Reds fan Wesolowski focused on cup-tie replay
CLARITY of vision will be vital for Athletic tonight as the team bids to land the prize of a prestigious FA Cup third-round tie at Liverpool.

Even for as big a fan of the Anfield club as James Wesolowski — who grew up idolising former Kop hero Michael Owen from afar in his Sydney birthplace — the tricky but essential task of first seeing off Southend at Boundary Park (7.45pm kick-off) is not one he is losing sight of.

“It was my dream draw to get Liverpool away and when Dean Furman rang to tell me, I didn’t believe him at first,” said the 24-year-old midfielder, who first started following the Reds’

fortunes as a result of them wearing the same colours as his then-favourite rugby league team, North Sydney Bears.

“He then sent me a picture with our name after Liverpool’s and I was pretty excited. But as soon as the Southend game comes, everyone will simply focus on defeating them. That is the same for any team when you are out there on the pitch.

“You blank out everything else and that is what we have to aim to do. If we manage it, and play to the best of our abilities, then we can beat them. You can’t take your mind away from what you are doing on the football field.”

The clash preceding this second-round replay finished level at Roots Hall as Ryan Hall’s goal equalised a terrific strike from Wesolowski.

“It was a game of two halves at their place,” the Aussie added. “We were the better side and then in the second half they made a few changes and caused us problems. In a way it was probably a blessing that happened, as now we know what we have got to stop and what we need to do to win the game.”

Since the teams last met, an encounter which landed Southend with a club-record-equalling 17 games without defeat, tonight’s visitors have embarked on a mini-slump. Defeated 2-1 on home soil by Swindon in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Paul Sturrock’s side went down 3-0 at Cheltenham on Saturday — a result which sees them drop behind Crawley at the top of League Two.

Still, Wesolowski is expecting a difficult ride: “It is the same incentive for both sides,” he said. “We know they will come out all-guns blazing and that we will have to be at the top of our game to beat them.”

The third-round tie awaiting the winners is likely to be played on Sunday, January 8, as a result of city neighbours Everton having already secured a Saturday afternoon spot for their home game against Tamworth.