Tony Mowbray is relishing the chance to take on Premier League opposition in the FA Cup - describing Sunderland's fourth round tie at Fulham as a 'free hit' in the context of the wider season. The Black Cats' win at Shrewsbury Town in the third round last weekend led to a pairing with the Londoners at Craven Cottage in a fortnight's time.
Mowbray insists the priority for Sunderland has to be maintaining momentum in their Championship campaign and ensuring they remain within reach of the play-off spots, but that does not mean the FA Cup is an afterthought. This year sees the 50th anniversary of Sunderland lifting the FA Cup at Wembley when they defeated Leeds United in 1973, and Mowbray is conscious of the affinity supporters feel towards this competition.
"I know the FA Cup means a lot to this football club - it's 50 years this year [since Sunderland won it] - but we have to be realistic about the journey we are on," said Mowbray, whose side takes on Swansea City at the Stadium of Light in the league tomorrow. "We need to focus on making sure we get enough points [in the league].
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"In my mind, let's get to mid-fifty points to start with, and then let's hope we have still got lots of games left and then try to take it up towards 70 and if you get around there you are going to make the play-offs. Yet when this FA Cup game comes around, I won't be sitting here thinking 'oh, I should rest him and him and him', we'll go there and try to be positive and see if we can get a result.
"I think it's an exciting tie for us. The new Riverside Stand is amazing and to run out at Craven Cottage is a great experience.
"I looked at their team against Hull and they made quite a lot of changes - I don't know how they will approach the FA Cup, if they see an opportunity at home they might play a strong team and try to get it done. These games are like a free hit for us, really.
"We can go and be aggressive and confident and play like we can at our best - with no fear, not being on the back foot, not trying to keep it nil as long as we can because invariably these teams with high quality find a way to score. We'll go to Fulham and be attack-minded and aggressive and try to win.
"It's a good test for us."
Fulham finished top of the Championship last season to earn promotion to the Premier League. And Marco Silva's side booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-0 win at Hull City last weekend.
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