Ablett: We will give Tooting respect (From Sutton Guardian)

Ablett: We will give Tooting respect

3:20pm Friday 6th November 2009

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Stockport County boss Gary Ablett reckons the Hatters will end Tooting & Mitcham’s fairytale FA Cup run tomorrow - as long as they give the Terrors respect.

Billy Smith takes his Ryman Premier side to Edgeley Park tomorrow as Tooting return to the First Round proper for the first time since 1977.

And former Everton and Liverpool star Ablett insists his side will not be taking the Terrors lightly.

He told Stockport’s website: “It is a massive game for us.

“If we have the right attitude and treat Tooting with respect we will win the game quite comfortably - I have no doubt about that.

“But if we underestimate them then it could become a pretty even game.

“If we do that we will become our own worst enemy.

“We will give Tooting the respect they deserve - I went to see them play at Eastbourne Borough and they did very well.

“The quality of their first two goals at Eastbourne was superb - they would not have looked out of place in the Premier League.

“So we know they are dangerous given a chance.”

Stockport are mired in a poor run of form that has seen them win just one game at home this season, and lose their last three.

But naturally as the League One side they are still heavy favourites to progress, and Ablett feels it is all down to the start.

He added: “We need to begin the game with a good tempo - start as fast as we can and pen them into their own half.

“If we take the game away from them as quickly as possible it will make our job a lot easier and should ensure us winning.”

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