The Cheltenham boss hasn’t had much luck against the Manchester based side over the years, having won just once in the 10 times they have met in his managerial career, which came in the FA Cup in the form of a 3-0 win whilst managing Newport County, back in 2021.
With his last encounter against them coming in mid-September, losing 2-1 away from home, Flynn assured his fans that his side aware of the challenge ahead of them.
“They’re a good team and have good players… they’re in a false position in the league with the squad they’ve got.
“We’re a different team now, even though we played really well there, we’re more solid and have more threat in us.”
He jokingly revealed his “hatred” for Salford in Thursday night’s fan forum, off the back of his poor record against the side, whilst speaking Friday morning on how his team can take advantage of their atmosphere.
“Salford isn’t the most supported club around the country, their crowds are quite low, so we’ve got to make it our own atmosphere in the way we play and the tempo we play at.”
However, he also noted the threat Saturday’s opposition pose, whilst also implying his previous FA Cup win against them will give him more confidence going into the tie.
“They’ve got some really good players at Salford, so we’ve got to be on our metal and be ready for everything they throw at us.
“I love the FA Cup, and they will be under no illusions about how important it is to myself, to the football club, and the supporters.”
Flynn has had some big games in the competition over the years, with big wins over clubs such as Leeds United and Leicester City, as well as games against Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, drawing 1-1 with the former back in January 2018 which earned them a trip to Spurs’ then temporary home ground of Wembley.
The Robins also have recent history with the latter, with the current Premier League Champions winning 3-1 at Whaddon Road in the fourth round of the competition in January 2021.
He expressed his desire to draw a big side once again this year, should his side win Saturday’s game.
“I’d love to see Pep again, but I don’t fancy going to the Ethiad when they’re wounded because they can really punish teams, and it’d be a lonely place when their backs are against the wall.
“So I think I’ll try and stay away from him for now,” he joked.
“For me the first choice would be getting Liverpool in the draw and going to Anfield, then I’d be living the life.”
Flynn, a lifelong Liverpool fan, was invited to spend the day at his boy-hood club by former manager Jurgen Klopp back in 2018, as he described the prospect of managing at Anfield as “a dream.”
As well as the occasion, he talked about how important the financial rewards would be, as well as talking about the current financial situation of the club.
“(The owners) are doing a really good job with limited resources, they’re never ever going to jepordise the future of the football club, they’ve got the clubs best interests at heart,
“We’re not blessed with money… it means we have to take more gambles than we normally would, and those gambles might pay fruition in terms of us developing them and selling them on for good transfer fees.”
He spoke on his wife and sons being in attendance, hoping they can bring him luck, and the importance of their support.
“Victoria and the boys will be there Saturday… I’m hoping Edward brings us good luck, he’s been on every journey with me,
“I think his first game as mascot was when I was at Newport and we beat Walsall, funnily enough I showed the Walsall chairman pictures of that when I went to Walsall,”
“He doesn’t want to miss Saturday so he will be there.”
