| Saints can buck Euro trend, says Davies |
| Thursday 02 July 2009 |
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ASSISTANT manager Mike Davies believes The New Saints can finally buck the trend by securing long overdue success on the European stage.
Having fallen at the first hurdle in their previous 10 European attempts, the Saints arrived in Iceland this week in optimistic mood as they prepare to take on Fram Reykjavik today in the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup. Davies is not under-estimating the size of the task, but was heartened by what he saw on a spying mission to Iceland last week. “They are obviously a decent side with a decent set-up, but having watched them I do feel we’ve got a good chance,” he said after watching Fram lose 2-0 at home to high-flying FH Hafnarfjordur in the Pepsi-deildin domestic league. “Looking at some of the sides we’ve played before in Europe, Fram don’t look to be as strong, but having said that we need to go there and give our best. “Although we’re always at a disadvantage playing at this time of year, our preparations have gone well and we are confident.” The Saints trained in Iceland's national stadium, the Laugardalsvollur, with defender Steve Evans and new midfield signing Chris Seargeant expected to shake off injury niggles. Meanwhile, former Chelsea youths Joe and Sam Tillen both ply their trade with Fram Reykjavik, and insist that the top eight teams in the domestic league could comfortably play in League Two while the top few would provide decent opposition in League One. “I think the teams here try to play more football than in England, especially the lower leagues,” said Sam. “Most teams play 4-3-3 here too rather than 4-4-2.”  Photo: John McKenna and Alex Darlington train in Iceland's national stadium on Wednesday night. |