BOSS Ashley Vincent has had City’s shape for tomorrow’s FA Vase showdown in mind for some time.

Worcester head to lower-ranked Atherstone Town hoping to go within two rounds of a Wembley final in the national knockout competition (Saturday, 3pm).

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City started Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Tividale in Midland Football League (MFL) Premier Division with three at the back, a shift from the usual four.

Neither system is unfamiliar to City, though, and the plan is clear for the man charged with making the call.

“I have probably known since watching them play a couple of times,” said Vincent.

“The system we played on Tuesday, with the personnel we had out there, allows us to use three different systems. We have worked on that in other games and it is quite fluid.

“For me, the system doesn’t greatly matter, it is 11 against 11 and ultimately it is about coming out on top of your man on the day.

“Maybe that wasn’t the case in midweek, it was quite even but when you can match your opposition as we did on Tuesday we have enough in the squad to find that moment of quality.”

The Adders may be sixth in MFL Division One but have been banging in goals for fun under October-appointment Scott Rickards.

A whopping 64 goals have gone in during his 15 games in charge, which includes 10 in an FA Vase replay against Malvern Town and a 1-0 win at 2018 finalists Stockton Town in the last round.

“I expect them to be game,” added Vincent.

“They were 14 unbeaten until Saturday so have been on a good run and they will be confident.

“They will use the whole underdog thing, I am sure. I don’t buy into that, there is a step between us but it is a chance to get into the quarter-final of a national competition.

“Both teams will have a right good go – the team that deserves it will get through, I am sure, and I have to make sure we are mentally and physically ready for what lies ahead.

“Once the lads cross the white line they have to give me a performance like they did on Tuesday, an honest performance, the kind that might not always be eye catching but that gets the job done nine times out of 10.

“I have told them not to underestimate the power of that and to realise that it is sometimes the way forward.”

And Vincent ended with a message of gratitude for City’s fans with 300 expected to make the trip over to North Warwickshire.

“First and foremost I’d like to say a big thank you,” said Vincent.

“I know Atherstone will have a good following and the fact our boys have coach loads going to get behind us – and I am asking them to do that through the good, bad, indifferent times in the game – is fantastic.

“Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about and a quarter-final to go to watch.”