Buckle: There are no favourites for Wembley clash

HATTERS boss Paul Buckle was of the opinion that York's FA Trophy victory over Newport County at Wembley last weekend can work both for and against the Minstermen, writes Mike Simmonds.

Buckle was in the crowd as City won the match 2-0, but although is aware they have experienced winning at the home of English football, he was delighted to get a first-hand view of Town's opponents in action.

He said: “I think it will help them, they've sampled it, kept a clean sheet and they've won the game. We know those things, but at the same time, it's a totally different game.

“I learned loads. You really can paint a picture for the players after seeing the opposition, that's the good thing about this break, you get a chance to prepare.

“I think Newport pushed them all the way to the end and there's going to be chances (on Sunday), there's no doubt about that.”

Town will not have been in action for 13 days since losing 2-1 at Wrexham in the play-off semi-final second leg, but Buckle wasn't perturbed by this length of downtime as it mirrors his successful Wembley win with Torquay United in May 2009.

The boss continued: “I was ready for that break. That happened to me before, the last time I was in a play-off final at this level, we had 13 days off.

“We've just worked back, get the players prepared mentally and physically for the Sunday.

York have had a match in between at Wembley as well. That would help them, we're aware of that, but we concentrate on what we're doing here.”

Town's preparation for the match is going to be nothing special either, as apart from visiting Wembley prior to the game, they will treat it as any other away clash.

The boss said: “We thought about staying put and travelling on the day, but with the crowds we decided against it.

“We want the players to feel some sense of occasion, that's important. We always stay away for the majority of away games, we're comfortable with what we're going to do preparation wise.

“I think we just concentrate on ourselves and do what we have to do to win the game. We're not going to caught up with families and national anthems, all that's lovely but we have to win the game.

“The strikers have got to concentrate on scoring goals, goalkeeper and defenders on stopping goals and the midfield on working up and down all day and that will never change in football.

“That's my focus, that's where we're at and we won't be changing any of our preparation. We go to Wembley, we won't be wearing anything different, just go to win the game, go there to try and get on the front foot, take the game to them and get the lead as quickly as possible.

“It's been planned out from the second we got through against Wrexham. I want to give the players the best chance of preparing on the day mentally and physically, so we'll go and have a look at Wembley on Friday and that's when our real preparations will start.”

With Town suffering a heartbreaking defeat at this stage of the season last year, as they were beaten on penalties by AFC Wimbledon, Buckle has also readied his team for any eventuality.

He continued: “I've been to the play-offs on a number occasions as a manager and as a coach, I picked up a lot of experience on the way through and am leaving nothing to chance.

“We've covered everything, to have been on the run we've been on and to beat the teams we have and be in the final, we must be doing something right.

“So we're very organised. Penalties is something I've got my own theory on and I'd like to keep that to myself if you don't mind.”

The Town boss was quick to pay respect for City, especially as they have dominated the games against Hatters results-wise, but thinks that on current form, his side are a match for anyone.

Buckle said: “They finished above us, played at Wembley once already and won. When you look at something you look at past form or position in the league and I think our past form is excellent.

“It's been tremendous, and not been against lesser clubs with all due respect, it's been against tough opposition and the boys have stood up for it. I've seen a lot of different qualities in our team over the last few weeks.”

For the manager too, he is an old hand at this situation now, winning one play-off final and losing one while at Torquay, while he has also suffered defeat as an assistant boss at Exeter City.

On the Wembley experience, Buckle added: “It's a great place, but only a great place if you win, there's no doubt about that.

“I've got experience of winning there and losing there, so will use that on the day.

“I think if afterwards, you can hold your hand on your heart and say you've given everything and I mean everything on the day and leading up to it, you can live with yourselves.

“That's why I feel confident and am excited to be leading the team out at Wembley.

“I've come to the club to be successful. I don't want to rest on my laurels, I want some more success in my career.

“Luton certainly deserve success, I've asked the players to smile before every game and will be asking my players to do that at about quarter to three on Saturday.”

To read a special eight page play-off preview, see the Luton News/Dunstable Gazette on sale this Wednesday, while for all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our Hatters Microsite.

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