BetMcLean League Cup quarter-finals
NAILED on? We don't do nailed on!" Before the first question is even over, Warrenpoint Town boss Barry Gray is laughing about the expectation around their League Cup tie at home to Limavady United tonight (8pm).
Even though the south Down side are bottom of the Premiership there's still more than a division between them and their visitors, who are third in the Premier Intermediate League.
Gray is honest about the pairing, having avoided the six other top flight teams in the last eight, saying: "It's a massive opportunity to get into the semi-finals, it's as good as we could have hoped for on paper, but in reality it never comes just as sweet as that. We have to give them respect to make sure there's no slip-up.
"It's a good draw for us - on paper. Everybody knows that. In saying that, they've already put out another Premiership team so you have to give them that respect and make sure you don't get caught in the same fashion."
The Roesiders lost 4-0 away to Larne in the first round, but the latter had fielded an ineligible player so were thrown out. Limavady then overcame former regular rivals Dungannon Swifts 3-2, having opening the scoring after just nine seconds.
So Gray knows to be wary, even though there's plenty in his side's favour, starting with the game being at their Milltown home: "Travelling away from home, especially midweek, is a pain in the arse, especially the distance they have to come.
"But I keep saying to our boys, 'Be careful', because we've been in this situation when we've played the so-called bigger teams.
"Limavady have nothing to lose. They've already got their scalp, with Dungannon, and that's only a week ago. They won on Saturday past again.
"If we take our eye off the ball I've no doubt that they'll punish us for that. But we see it as a massive opportunity for us - first of all in this cup, second to get a win and break our losing streaks, albeit we've had wins in cup competitions."
Those have come against near their level, the 'Point edging out two Championship sides, first neighbours Newry City 2-1 after extra time, then squeezing past Loughgall 1-0.
"The challenge for us is that they're not a team we're massively familiar with," says Gray. "They'd probably know more about us."
Yet the element of difference is welcome, he admits: "It's a good distraction for us because our league form has been poor, albeit that we've got better over the last number of weeks, but the results haven't reflected that."
On Saturday they only lost 2-1 away to Glentoran, after conceding twice in the opening quarter hour, then had a penalty claim turned down and also missed 'a sitter'.
Still, that was a 10th consecutive league loss after winning their opener against Ballymena United.
Next up in the league Gray will welcome his former charges Cliftonville, who top the table.
"It doesn't get any easier…," he says wryly.
That comment could apply in another sense to tonight's match - but Warrenpoint will still be wary.
Elsewhere tonight there are three all-Premiership ties, all 7.45 kick-offs.
Holders Coleraine host Glentoran, Cliftonville are away to Portadown, and there's 'the David Jeffrey derby', Ballymena United versus Linfield.
