Welsh Premier League Football - Saints bid to defy Anderlecht odds

MANAGER Mike Davies admits the odds are stacked against his side, but says TNS will give it their best shot against Anderlecht tonight.
After winning a European tie for the first time in 12 attempts, the Saints host the 30-times Belgian champions at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground (7.45pm) and Davies says: "We must make sure we are still in the tie come the second game next week.
"We have an idea of how good they are and we're under no illusions that their playing budget is unbelievable and they have a fantastic squad.
"And for us this match will compare to Liverpool and Manchester City and be a great occasion - and just being in the third qualifying round of the Champions League is an achievement."
A giant-killing against Anderlecht would put the Saints into the hat for the next stage of the Champions League.
But even defeat would leave them contemplating some massive names in the Europa League play-offs.
"If we do go out, and the odds are against us, there are some cracking draws that we could get in the Europa Cup like Liverpool, Juventus, Manchester City and Aston Villa," added Davies, who watched his opponents win the Belgian Super Cup, the equivalent of England's Charity Shield, on Friday night.
"But we are focusing on Anderlecht and see what happens. They have some great players like the three-time Belgian player of the year Mbark Boussoufa who is something else.
"So they will be very difficult and we will give it our best shot."
Visiting coach Ariel Jacobs says his players will not under-estimate TNS and have learned the lesson of a shock exit to BATE Borisov at the same stage of the competition two years ago.
"All teams deserve respect. You know that, after four games at this stage you can reach the most important club competition in Europe, so football qualities and mental qualities are vitally important," he said at the club's press conference last night.
"TNS try to play in an un-British style, they try to build-up from the back, physically and mentally they will be prepared to run and pass over 90 minutes," he added.
There is intense media interest in the game with some 50 journalists and photographers accredited, including a party of 16 from Belgium, as well as three TV companies and several radio stations.
Tickets, priced at £10, can be purchased from the Wrexham club shop right up to kick-off.
Photo: Mike Davies watches TNS train at Wrexham on Monday.