PAUL Ince knows the arrival of the TV cameras to the Moss Rose for Mondayés FA Cup tie with Walsall is the ideal opportunity for him to show the country he has got Macc Town going in the right direction.
But, despite winning the competition twice with Manchester United, he would happily sacrifice a place in the second round hat for three precious league points against fellow strugglers Boston United on November 18.
Nevertheless, the cup clash between League Twoés top and bottom clubs, to be shown live on Sky television, could add the vital missing ingredient lacking from the Silkmenés recent improved showings - self-belief.
It would also break the winless Silkmenés ignominious duck for the season in front of the watching millions, and keep the jamboree surrounding the club since Ince arrived in full swing.
An impressive display at Wrexham has left Ince in bullish mood, and he believes he has seen enough to suggest that victory over the Saddlers would be no upset.
Ince said: "Thereés been so much giantkilling in the FA Cup, thatés what makes it so special.
"I donét feel it would be an upset if we beat Walsall. I watched them play us in the league and over 90 minutes we were by far the better team.
"A lot of teams that Iéve played in have been struggling in the league, and the FA Cup has come as a bit of a breather.
"For me ités always nice when Sky come. They see all the big teams week in week out so ités nice for them to look at the lower levels and theyéve chosen us."
Perhaps the most high-profile game in Maccés recent history saw them play West Ham United in the FA Cup third round in 2002, and live televised appearances have been thin on the ground since then.
Inceés first game in charge against Mansfield Town added around 500 to the Moss Rose gate, and the club has handed out 2,000 leaflets in an attempt to bolster local support for the team.
Chairman Rob Bickerton believes the Cup tie has captured the imagination of the club and the town, following on from the arrival of such a high-profile manager.
He said: "Ités generated a lot of money for us, so we could certainly say that taking Paul Ince on as manager has been a commercial success and the profile of the club has increased.
"But our primary and only objective is for success on the pitch and weére expecting to win - weéve now got a great winning mentality throughout the club."
Ince said: "The game against Boston at home for me personally as the manager is more important.
"Iéd rather lose on Monday and then win on Saturday.
"But as far as the players are concerned of course ités exciting times. I will ask them to try and enjoy the occasion."
Midfielder Jordan Hadfield returns from suspension and Bury are yet to confirm whether they will allow Maccés loan star Matt Tipton to become cup-tied, although Ince may consider a few changes to keep the squad fresh.
