Striker Martyn Waghorn has stressed Derby County need to show their 'no fear' mentality when they face Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round tomorrow.
The Rams have already showed this season that they can handle the pressure of playing against Premier League outfits.
Cup scalps against Manchester United and Southampton in both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup has seen excitement levels raise ahead of the Fifth Round clash on Saturday afternoon (12:30pm kick-off).
A place in the Quarter Finals of the competition is at stake and Waghorn is confident his side can play to their potential and cause an upset.
“It is a huge opportunity for the lads,” Waghorn said.
“The gaffer has come in and instilled a winning mentality and I think we have proved in the cups that we can go toe-to-toe with some big teams.
“It is almost a free-hit for us. They are a league above and they will be under the most pressure. We want to just go and play how we want to play.
“We will work hard as a team. We have got a lot of youth and a good mix in the camp to cause a lot of teams a lot of problems.
“We back ourselves as a team and we have a lot of confidence. If it has to go the whole way then we fancy our chances, but hopefully it doesn’t get that far.
“When the manager first came in he said he wanted to win as much and be as successful as he can. It is a good place to play football at Brighton so we are going to go there, give it our best shot and if we do we can challenge anyone.”
It’s been a short turnaround for the Rams following the 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Wednesday night.
“I think we are used to it with midweek and Saturday games,” Waghorn commented.
“In the Championship you play games Saturday and Tuesday quite regularly and over the festive period the games come thick and fast.
“We have tried to do everything right. We have eaten right, prepared right so we have given ourselves the best opportunity. The lads know what needs to be done. You can look at the excuses, but we won’t have one. We are all professionals and we are all looking forward to it.”
The 29-year-old frontman was the match winner for the Rams against Accrington Stanley in Round Four, whilst he also netted a goal and a penalty in the shoot-out victory against Southampton.
The Rams have enjoyed success in shoot-outs this season, winning two and not missing one spot kick in the process.
If presented with another chance from 12-yards, the striker would relish the chance.
“As a striker, it is another opportunity to score a goal,” he admitted. “I have missed penalties on the big stage; I missed one in the play-off semi-finals in the Championship a few years ago and I have learned from that. It is an opportunity to build on.
“The FA Cup is a special trophy and to me growing up I have always enjoyed the FA Cup games. It will be a great opportunity and if we get through it will be excellent.”
