Non-leaguers aim for upset
The Twerton Park non-leaguers are confident they can cause an upset in Cleethorpes – and avenge a Round Two defeat to the Mariners 57 years ago at the same time.
And after an unbeaten run of five games, Bath boss Adie Britton says he will be 'disappointed' not to claim a league scalp against Town tomorrow with all his players raring to go.
Britton said: "Everyone is desperate to play.
"We had a training session on Tuesday and it was as competitive as it has been all year, everyone was going at 100mph.
"We won't be lacking for enthusiasm tomorrow, that is for sure, and we will be going there to win.
"In our minds, certainly in mine, it will be disappointing if we don't win.
"No disrespect to the opposition but we have to go into the game with that frame of mind.
"It is the way we approach every game, even when we were playing the likes of Dover with only 11 fit players.
"This is the most talented squad we have had in my four years at the club and we have shown we are more than capable of playing good football.
"The thing to be seen is whether we are good enough to be effective against a team from two divisions above us."
Britton says the most important thing is that his players 'do not freeze' on the big day.
And he says it's a great chance for them to shine on a bigger stage and put themselves in the shop window.
He went on: "I'll be honest, we were looking to get someone like Leeds United or Charlton Athletic down here and make a real big splash.
"But we have still got a league club and it is not impossible that we can go there and win.
"They have only won once at home this season and they are struggling so we have a chance.
"It will be a good test for them as players and for us in the management team too.
"I believe we have got four or five players who could play at a better standard if they had full-time training – and by that I don't just mean Conference Premier, I mean Football League.
"This game is an opportunity for them to put themselves in the shop window.
"For one or two of them this is their last chance. When you are 26-years-old, you are at the stage where you can get picked up or never get back in the league again.
"If we play exceptionally well on Saturday and Grimsby have a bad day then we have a big chance.
"We will give it a real go."
While most of Bath's players will relish the chance to play at a league ground of Blundell Park's stature, following their overnight stay in Lincolnshire, Britton does have players more accustomed to the big time.
Romanian midfielder Florin Pelecaci, who signed in September, has played in the Champions League during his career, while Portuguese right-back Sido Jombati played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in Sporting Lisbon's youth team.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ryan Robinson, who missed the start of the season through injury, is a former Blackburn man.
And he's excited about the big cup tie after being part of the Forest Green Rovers team that dumped out Rotherham two years ago.
He added: "We'd like to think this is a good time to be facing Grimsby.
"They are not having the best of times and we are playing well.
"It is just 11 against 11 and all we can do is go there and make sure we give a good account of ourselves."
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