SM
Southampton vs. Liverpool: 9 hrs 54 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Liam Hogan insists Stockport will not hide in their shells against West Ham

:Headline: Liam Hogan insists Stockport will not hide in their shells against West Ham: ID:429821: from db_amp
The Hatters are into the third round of the competition for the first time in 14 years.

Stockport captain Liam Hogan is adamant the Vanarama National League side will not be overawed when West Ham visit Edgeley Park in the FA Cup third round on Monday evening.

The Hatters are into the third round of the competition for the first time in 14 years and have been paired against a Premier League side who they memorably defeated en route to the League Cup semi-finals in the 1996/97 season.

County won promotion to the old First Division – now the Sky Bet Championship – in that campaign before sliding down the football pyramid, and they were in the sixth tier National League North as recently as two years ago.

A takeover has brought renewed optimism to a club that now firmly have their sights set on returning to the Football League, while a cup run has given them an extra spring in their step, according to Hogan.

He said: "We don't hide in our shells and I'm pretty sure, looking at the lads over the last few days, that's not going to be the case because they've been skipping around training and wanting to show what they're all about.

"For us it's a massive game. The levels between us (and West Ham) are big but we're looking to go and show ourselves in the best way possible.

"A cup upset, I'd love to be involved in one. We'll go out there and complete the job that the gaffer has asked of us to the best of our abilities, and hopefully it will cause West Ham problems and might even be enough on the day.

"They'll have that extra bit of quality but it's for us to show what we're capable of and give the lads a bit of a free reign when we do get the ball."

Stockport, who sit fourth in the National League, edged out League One Rochdale in the first round then overcame Yeovil after extra-time to set up a televised tie against a Hammers side who currently sit 10th in the Premier League.

Hogan, who joined the club from Salford in February last year, said: "The cup run has rejuvenated us.

"We'll be on the telly again on Monday which is really important for the club – not just the players on the pitch but the staff and everybody that has worked to get us to where we are at the minute."

Hogan, who started for Salford as they beat AFC Fylde in the 2019 National League play-off final at Wembley, has never come up against Premier League opposition in a decade-long playing career.

The 31-year-old added: "This is the top of the game, the elite and where the boys are going to be pushing with their own performances and their own careers.

"To go and match yourself against the best that England has to offer – they've had a good start to their season, and we've had a good start to ours, it looks like a great fixture on paper."

amp_article__429821 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-01-09 13:26:41:
html db last update - 2021-01-09 13:26:41 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Liam Hogan

Click here for more stories about Stockport County

Share this article now:
Read more about Liam Hogan Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe19134243222143
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham20125330131741
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield19113530181236
5Stockport CountyStockport2096532211133
6Reading199463028231
7Barnsley208662926330
8Bolton WanderersBolton189362829-130
9Lincoln CityLincoln207762625128
10Blackpool197572931-226
11Mansfield TownMansfield187472222025
12Stevenage187471517-225
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough197393735224
14Charlton AthleticCharlton196671819-124
15Exeter CityExeter197391721-424
16Wigan AthleticWigan196581716123
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham186571920-123
18Leyton Orient196491920-122
19Northampton TownNorthampton205692129-821
20Bristol Rovers1963101728-1121
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1945102031-1117
23Burton Albion1926111630-1412
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1932141939-2011
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .