Brabin wary of wounded animal

Hatters are 3-0 in front from the first match at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday and are clear favourites to progress, but Brabin was desperate to keep everyone’s feet on the ground.

He said: “I know they’re going to be a wounded animal. They’re going to come out, they’ve got nothing to lose, but at the same time I’m sure they’ll be wary we can catch them on the counter attack if they’re a bit gung ho.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves. Wrexham are no mugs, they’ve got in the play-offs, all credit to them.

“It’s going to be a tough game. They’ve got nothing to fear and nothing to lose. They’re going to come here and we’ve got to make sure we do the right things.

“We’re expecting them to change their system a little bit, but we’ve just got to look after ourselves and make sure we dont get complacent and show the same attitude and commitment we show day in day out and I’m more than confident we’ll get the right result.

“In terms of pressure, I suppose it’s easier for Deano (Dean Saunders), but I’m sure he’d rather be in my position. He’s got plusses and I’ve got mine. I’m certainly happy that going to the next leg we’ve got a 3-0 advantage.”

Brabin has previous experience in this sort of situation himself when he was in charge of a Cambridge United side who produced a tremendous comeback against Stevenage Borough two seasons ago as after losing the first leg 3-1, they won the second 3-0.

Four of Hatters squad were also part of the side too, with Robbie Willmott, Dan Gleeson, Danny Crow and Paul Carden all playing their parts, so Brabin is guarding against complacency.

He said: “I’ve been in the situation where its gone the other way and I know from experience the tie’s by no means over.

“We were 3-1 down and ended up winning. It happens and it’s just a nervous thing when you’ve got nothing to lose. An early goal and all of a sudden it’s a different game.

“We’re not foolish to get carried away with it. The job’s only half done. The biggest part for me is to make sure there’s no complacency.

“We won’t be thinking about Eastlands. The pressure is on us a little bit more as people will think it’s a forgone conclusion, but it’s not.

“I don’t want to dampen the spirits of the supporters, but we haven’t done anything yet, we’ve just given ourselves a little bit of a foot up into the next game.”

Potential final opponents AFC Wimbledon have a similar lead going into their clash with Fleetwood Town on Wednesday after winning the away leg 2-0, but Brabin refused to be drawn into any Eastlands encounter.

He continued: “I genuinely, honestly, hand on my heart haven’t looked any further than tomorrow’s game. It’s very important that we focus on this 100 per cent and I’m just fully focused on the game against Wrexham.”

Although winger Claude Gnakpa has been struggling with a slight foot injury, Brabin didn’t shed any light on the likes of Danny Crow or Amari Morgan-Smith’s fitness and confirmed he hasn’t considered resting players with one eye on the final.

The manager continued: “We’ve got one or two knocks, but everyone’s trained, so hopefully I’ve got a clean bill of health.

“I don’t really want to go into too much detail about players who are or aren’t available, but we’re delighted with the squad of players we’ve got available.

“They’ll be no resting. Every game I’ve played I’ve picked a side I think can win at that time.”

With Kenilworth Road expected to be full to the rafters for the first time this season, Brabin is backing the supporters to play their part too.

He added: “The connection between the supporters and the team has been getting stronger and stronger. It spurs the players on and if that helps pushing the players that extra yard and extra inch, then it’s all welcome, and I want them to be the same for another two matches this season.

“The lads were gutted they couldn’t get out there and show their appreciation (at Wrexham), but for obvious reason, it wasn’t easy for them to do that.

“A couple of them got out there and savoured the atmosphere. I was lucky myself to get out there and to do the press and the atmosphere at the moment is fantastic.”