Wanderers set for 20,000-plus to rock the Reebok in cup clash
8:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in Sport By Marc Iles
WANDERERS are expecting a bumper crowd to brave the weather for this afternoon’s FA Cup clash with Everton.
Despite the plummeting temperatures and snow forecast in the Horwich area, it is thought more than 20,000 fans will watch the fourth round match.
Everton reported earlier in the week that they had sold out their entire allocation of 5,000 but Wanderers have been encouraged by the pick-up from home fans, having earlier predicted a crowd of between 16 and 17,000.
Dougie Freedman feels his players have “earned the right” to enjoy the occasion, which marks the first FA Cup meeting between the two clubs since the Whites’ famous 3-2 victory at Goodison Park in 1994.
And the manager hopes recent defensive improvements will again be evident against a side gunning for Champions League football next season.
“I think there has been a certain change around the training ground this last two or three weeks,” he said. “The lads have worked very hard. We have laid foundations we can work from and you are starting to see what the team is about.
“I thought it was a very good performance at Sunderland followed up by a very good point at Crystal Palace. Two clean sheets and we can build on that.
“I certainly think we're moving in the right direction and a win against a Premiership team would give us more confidence.”
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