Andy Crosby believes Tranmere are capable of causing an FA Cup upset as high flying Stockport arrive at Prenton Park.
Rovers will welcome the League One leaders to the Wirral on Saturday in the first round of the famous competition.
He said: “We’ve got the toughest draw because we’re playing against the highest ranked team currently in the competition but bring it on. Why can’t we cause an upset? Why can’t it be us?
“We obviously have to play really well against Stockport and they have to have an off day. But we need to think about what we can do to make them have that off day.”
Rovers have suffered a difficult start to the season but their recent upturn in form has seen them climb to 18th in League Two after only one loss in their last seven games.
Crosby is happy with this turn around but still believes there is more to come from his side this season.
He said: “I think we’re slowly and surely starting to build up a bit of momentum. We’ve only lost one game in seven but there’s been four draws in that unfortunately.
“We’re finding our way but are we where I want us to be? No, but the situation we found ourselves in the last couple of months I think has played a big part in our slow start. That’s a fact, not an excuse. Players being back available will definitely help us.”
Stockport manager Dave Challinor and his assistant Clint Hill will return to Prenton Park this weekend after spending a combined 13 years at Tranmere between 1994-2002.
Crosby praised them both and understands the importance of their time on the Wirral.
He said: “There’s a couple of former Tranmere players involved at Stockport who were brilliant for this football club and have managed to play their part in building Stockport back up from where they were in the National League and now sitting top of League One.
“They have a really good squad so it will be a big test for us and it’s a game that we’re going to have to play really well in to take anything out of it.
“Massive respect to Dave and what he’s built there and wish them all the luck in the world going forward, just not tomorrow.”
Stockport find themselves as the highest ranked side left in the competition, before Championship and Premier League clubs join in the third round. The Hatters are unbeaten in their last seven league matches, winning six times in this period.
Crosby, however, believes his players are capable of following in the footsteps of Tranmere’s former FA Cup triumphs throughout the years.
“Are we the underdogs? Of course we are, we’re a League Two team currently and they’re top of League One.
“But this week we’ve shown the players clips of Tranmere beating some big, big clubs including Premier League clubs both home and away.
“These are some brilliant memories for this football club in this competition. We’re one league apart, when the game starts let’s try and cover up that one league and do everything we possibly can to play well.”
