MANSFIELD Town manager Keith Curle has lit the touchpaper for Saturday's game against the Silkmen, by declaring his side will win because they have "better players."
The former Manchester City defender made the bold statement after watching his much-changed side comprehensively beaten 4-0 by a rejuvinated, if full-strength, Macc Town.
He said: "Saturday we will see a positive response. I do not believe it will give Macclesfield Town any psychological advantage as we have got better players than them.
"I took the opportunity to rest a few players and use players who were in need of a competitive game and give them a chance to show me what they'd got. But the goals we conceded were worse than soft.
"Whether it's the LDV, a training game, a play-off final or a cup final, your principles have got to stay the same and we didn't stick to them."
Two goals from Jon Parkin either side of strikes from Tony Barras and Matt Tipton handed macc their biggest margin of victory this season and put them in the draw for the quarter finals for the first time in their history.
But Silkmen boss Brian Horton, who celebrated his 1,000th game in charge of a Football League team, said he would not be drawn by the comments.
"I don't understand why Curly (Keith Curle) said what he did, he will make changes on Saturday I'm sure, but who knows - I might make some as well.
"Winning is a habit, and it doesn't matter what competition it comes in.
"It's a lovely competition to win - believe me, and although there's some good team left in there, we fancy our chances at home."
The draw for the LDV Vans Northern Quarter Finals will be made on Soccer AM on Sky Sports this Saturday morning. Other teams in the hat are: Blackpool; Chester City; Hereford United; Oldham Athletic; Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham.
