Northwich are real threat to Imps

By former Lincoln boss Steve Thompson

Thompson was Lincoln boss from 1990 to 1993

As a manager, I would say in public that I would rather play the likes of Northwich Victoria than Leeds United, Millwall or Southampton.

Deep down though, I would rather face those teams because you know what you're going to get.

Ideally you also want a home tie, so Northwich will be delighted that it's at their ground - it gives them extra revenue on the gate, but more than that there's home advantage, a pitch and facilities that they're used to.

I watched Northwich play Charlton on television in the previous round and I think Charlton were below par but Northwich played really well.

What happens in those games is that the lower-league side raise their game and play above themselves, they find an extra yard of pace, an extra bit of skill.

This is potentially a bigger banana skin for the Imps than Telford, which I thought was quite a tough game until they got a two-goal cushion.

"You're hoping if you're a small club that sooner or later it'll be Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea that you're up against"

Steve Thompson

Telford are mid-table in the Blue Square North and at the match I asked someone why they weren't top of the league.

"They don't play like that every week" was the reply, and that typifies the FA Cup.

That's what you have to overcome - the euphoria of the moment - and I think Chris Sutton will be appreciative of the Imps supporters who go to the game.

You do like to hear them getting behind your team and Lincoln have great away support, and I think they see it as a great adventure as well.

But it's a match which you view with trepidation as a manager. If you win, it's great and if Lincoln can get into the third round proper it will make things easier for Chris Sutton because a good draw means more money in the coffers to strengthen the team for either this season or next.

That's what directors and chairmen look at - the revenue. They like a cup run.

They'll ask you what your aspirations for the season are and you'll typically say "I think we've got a chance of the play-offs", and they'll reply, "What about the cup competitions? We need a good run in the FA Cup."

As a manager you hate it when a non-league team beats you. You tell yourself that if you lose to Leeds or Norwich it's not a disaster because they're a big club, well financed and going places.

If you lose to the non-league team they're the giant-killers and you're always remembered as the manager who lost to them.

Thompson made 181 appearances in five seasons with Lincoln City

I've seen it from both sides. I also played for Boston United in the FA Cup and as the underdogs you want to show the pros that you could make the grade if you're a youngster, saying 'you're no better than me' and promising to put them in their place.

I've never really been lucky in the FA Cup, apart from at Sheffield United where I reached the semi-finals, which is probably my proudest moment as a manager.

I played for Lincoln against Billingham Synthonia and it took a 30-yard goal from Shane Nicholson to win the tie and it was a really tough game.

I was in the Lincoln team against Telford in 1984 when we lost after a replay and I broke my leg in a tie against Port Vale and was out for nine months.

But it's a great competition, and when you get through and you're waiting for the draw for the next round you know everyone's glued to the TV.

You're hoping if you're a small club that sooner or later it'll be Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea that you're up against and that's the mystique of the Cup.