Enlarge imageBy Rob Stewart
NEWCASTLE (Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness says his side must respect minor league Yeading if they are to avoid an FA Cup upset in their third round tie at Loftus Road on Sunday.
United’s miserable Premier League form and their historically bad record against minor league sides could lead to an upset by the part-timers from west London.
"We are going into the unknown but I think the keyword is respect. We have to show them respect and if we do that then we’ll be fine but if we don’t we could easily become unstuck," Souness told reporters on Friday.
"We’ll be playing on a ground (the home of Queens Park Rangers) we are familiar with so that takes a bit of the unknown out of the equation.
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"There is always the potential for a giant-killing act. We’ve just to make sure we’re not victims this weekend.
"I am sure that Yeading’s number one aim will be to test our resolve and really see how much we are up for the fight. But on that point... I am sure we will meet the challenge head-on when the gauntlet has been thrown down in front of them."
Newcastle have a poor record against minor league opposition dating back to their shock 2-1 home defeat to Bedford Town in the third round in 1964.
In another huge upset they lost 2-1 to Hereford United in a replayed third round tie in 1972 when a rocket shot from Ronnie Radford, one of the most famous FA Cup goals in history, sealed their fate.
They also needed a replay to beat Hendon 4-0 in 1974 while Stevenage Borough also took Newcastle to a replay in a fourth round tie in 1998.
Souness is set to hand debuts to new signings Jean-Alain Boumsong, who joined from Rangers, and Celestine Babayaro and says their defensive experience will help United avoid a Cup shock.
"Jean-Alain will also be ready to expect in-your-face aggressive football because that’s what the British game is all about and what makes it interesting to watch but he will be used to the type of challenge he’ll face against Yeading," added Souness.
"Celestine is familiar with English football and the FA Cup so there will be no surprises for him."
Yeading striker Errol Telemaque, who works as a plasterer and earns 100 pounds a week playing for the club, can’t wait to face a United side who are likely to be once again without Alan Shearer.
"We have nothing to lose, they have plenty to lose. If we beat them I imagine Graeme Souness would lose his job," he said.
