Andre Boucaud has warned his Dagenham & Redbridge team-mates not to underestimate Southport in the first round of the FA Cup tomorrow (Saturday).
The Trinidad and Tobago international played his part in some shocks during his time at non-league Kettering and was quick to point out Southport are only a division below Daggers.
“It won’t be easy and in the FA Cup you see these lower division teams always beating teams above,” said Boucaud.
“Remember it is only League Two and Conference Premier, it is not like we are three or four leagues above them.
“They will be coming here with the grit in between their teeth to try and get a result.
“We just need to go into the game with the right frame of mind and get the right result.”
Boucaud wasn’t initially expected to be available for the clash, after he received an international call-up for the Caribbean Cup.
However, his flight was changed yesterday (Thursday) and manager Wayne Burnett can now select him.
The 30-year-old Boucaud did acknowledge, though, that he could still find himself out of the team, adding: “It’s obviously good that I think I only miss one game now (AFC Wimbledon).
“I only got the news on Thursday, so I am not sure if I will play.
“It is the gaffer’s decision who plays and if I don’t, it is understandable. But the main thing is we go and get the result. I don’t care who plays really as long as we get through.”
Boucaud has been involved in some successful FA Cup runs during his time in non-league.
He helped Kettering reach the fourth round in 2008/09 and a year later they reached the second round.
“I have been the non-league team against the league team,” he added.
“When I was at Kettering we got to the fourth round and played Fulham.
“We got to the second round and played Leeds as well, so I have had a few good runs.”
Boucaud believes form will go out of the window when Southport visit Victoria Road, adding: “We owe the fans some results and some better performances.
“It doesn’t matter what league you are in or what position you are in, if you are not up for it on the day, and the other team is, you are going to lose.”