EXCLUSIVE: Wolves manager Dan McNamara on crunch FA Cup clash with Stoke City: “A bit of history” | OneFootball

When Wolves manager Dan McNamara is on the touchline this Friday as his side face Stoke City in the second round proper of the Women’s FA Cup, the television cameras won’t have encouraged him to change his attire.

“I’ve always said to the girls, if we get to Wembley, I’ll wear a suit!” he told SheKicks.net on Wednesday. “I’ll be going with my tracksuit again!”

This will be the first ever time a second-round match in the competition is broadcast live on TNT Sports, and the first time Wolves have been on television as well, but McNamara will be encouraging his team to treat it just like any other game. It’s an approach that has served them well so far this season, as they sit second in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier, a point behind leaders Burnley with a game in hand.

“I think it’s important we don’t treat it as a big occasion,” he said. “It’s a football game at the end of the day, and that’s what will be stressing to the girls.

“Obviously, it does have that element of the unknown, being broadcast live, but I think we’ve got to take it for what it is. It’s an exciting moment for the club, never been done for Wolves Women before, so it’s a bit of history for the group. 

“But ultimately, we’ve got a job to do on Friday night. We’ve had an outstanding start to the campaign, and we want to continue that into the weekend.”

The possibility of televising National League games

He admitted that drawing a relatively local rival, and one they have already faced twice this season, might not have been the ideal tie for them.

But he added that the touch of local spice and what looks set to be a closely-fought encounter did make him think it would be attractive to television.

And he even wondered if some tier three league games might be televised regularly in the future.

“It’s a huge moment, I think, for the women’s game, what they’re doing this year, especially in the FA Cup, and why can’t it be part of something bigger? Why can’t we start seeing big National League games over the coming seasons if there’s a call for it?

“I’m massively proud to be part of it, and I know the girls are really excited as well. Family and friends can’t always get to the games, but this time they’re going to get to experience something they’ve never done before.”

Dan McNamara: We want to win everything

The FA Cup is always magical – and McNamara hopes it will continue to give him and his players plenty more special memories, beginning this Friday.

“We want to go as far as we can in all the competitions. My challenge for the girls is always to be in everything after Christmas.

“I don’t like to have ambitions such as getting promoted to WSL2. That is one of our aims, but I think if you solely look at an individual focus, then there’s a lot to fail at. I’d much rather keep building towards something special and win games week on week in all competitions. And then, all of a sudden, you see how much positivity that you’ve had over the season, rather than just having one sole focus, which will then either be a success or a failure.

“We’ll treat every competition as we will, as we always have done. We want to ultimately win everything.”

He grinned, and speculated on the possibility of reaching the FA Cup final – and donning that suit he mentioned.

“I know some people might say that’s a little bit far-fetched, but Chelsea at Wembley – why not?”