Soccer: Hoddle warns Saints to be wary of Rovers

Glenn Hoddle has assured Southampton fans that he will not let Tranmere cause another FA Cup shock in Saturday's fifth round clash at The Dell.

Glenn Hoddle has assured Southampton fans that he will not let Tranmere cause another FA Cup shock in Saturday's fifth round clash at The Dell.

Tranmere have claimed a host of Premiership scalps in both the Worthington Cup and FA Cup in the last two years, most recently in their 3-0 fourth round win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Hoddle even admits that he would rather have faced a Premiership side in the fifth round than the Wirral giant-killers.

"In my view, Tranmere are the most dangerous team left in the competition," said Hoddle.

"They have a tremendous record in cup competitions over the last year or two and the way they beat Everton at Goodison Park in the previous round shows what they can do.

"They are still beating big clubs and we will need to be fully focused to make sure we do not go the same way.

"We have to be extremely wary of them and there is no way I will allow my players to go into the match thinking they are already in the next round.

"In many ways it will be more difficult playing against Tranmere than if we had been playing a bigger team. If we had been drawn against Arsenal or Chelsea I could guarantee the players would have been up for it.

"But after beating the two Sheffield clubs in the previous rounds there is the danger that we may think Tranmere will be as easy to see off."

Hoddle is determined to ensure his team get past Tranmere at the first attempt as he does not fancy a trip to the north west for a possible replay.

He said: "We have the benefit of a home draw and we have to take full advantage of that. A replay at Tranmere could be a big problem."

Southampton had no problem beating Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday in previous rounds and have been in great form at home.

They have not been beaten at The Dell since the end of November and have not conceded a Premiership goal at home in all that time.

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