KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' manager Russell Penn has urged his side "not to be nervous" and to just "go for it" when Premier League West Ham arrive at Aggborough for their FA Cup fourth round clash today.
Penn's excitement was palpable after Tuesday's 3-0 National League North win over Leamington as he finally allowed himself to look ahead.
But whilst nerves are expected against a side 112 places higher than them in the English football pyramid, the boss wants his players to be brave.
"They are a better team than us, we know that," admitted Penn
"They are going to have a lot of ball but I want us to enjoy it, be confident with the ball and when we get into good positions, let's have a go!
"I don't want us to be nervous but, naturally, they are going to be and adrenaline will be up to the eyeballs, but we have to kerb that because there is still a game to play.
"They are going to see 6,000 through the turnstiles, lights everywhere, flashing phones, but they have to get rid of that one second after kick-off because then it's game on and it's 0-0 until anyone scores."
Penn racked up over 150 appearances for Kidderminster as a player before taking the manager role on an interim basis in 2019.
At 36-years-old he is still a young coach but he already appreciates that going up against a manager like David Moyes could well be as good as it ever gets.
"Of my short career, it's the biggest occasion and it might be my best ever," Penn added.
"But I will take one thing at a time and welcome him, be polite, might get a bottle of wine in for him after but I cannot wait to welcome him, Stuart Pearce, Kevin Nolan and all his players on Saturday."
"I still can't quite believe they are turning up here. A Premier League side coming to a National League North side? Doesn't happen very often but, game on."
But he never does it alone.
Penn's left hand man Jimmy O'Connor has been with him all the way and the boss was keen to reiterate how important he is to the whole club.
"We have worked as a duo for the whole time, he supports me and I support him," said Penn.
"We do it all together and he has become a great guy around the place and he is part of the DNA here so I don't need to say anymore about how much he means to me and this club."
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