ACCRINGTON sharp-shooter Lutel James is determined to give friend Ian Hughes a torrid time on Sunday.
The pair played together at Bury but now they have gone separate ways with defender Hughes playing for Stanley's FA Cup opponents Huddersfield Town. James is determined to shine on the BBC's Sunday match of the day - and upset Hughes.
"I want to make sure he has a nightmare game," said 10-goal James. "I don't want him to enjoy it one little bit. I want to make sure he has a horrid game. I know he is a friend but I just want to make sure we win."
James played for Bury at Manchester United in the Worthington Cup and has the experience of being involved in a huge cup clash. And the 31-year-old wants his team-mates to keep calm and not let all the attention get to them.
"I think it did affect us in the Sky game against Aldershot with the television cameras there. We have showed it did, by playing a lot better since. We can beat anyone at home but it is how we handle ourselves - that is our problem.
"There isn't a lot of difference between the Third Division and Conference but we have got to keep our heads. It is a big occasion for the fans, the players and the club but we have got to be able to handle it."
Another former Shaker is Jon Newby who James used to play up front with at Gigg Lane - although Newby will be missing with a cartilege injury.
"He would have been a threat but I think the likes of Steve Halford and Robbie Williams can snuff out any threat Huddersfield would offer - they are good defenders and could play in the league."
James has chipped in with ten goals so far but is still yearning to be back up front rather than on the right wing. This is the position he has played in the last few games - and proved a star there scoring a number of goals.
"I don't mind the work I have to do on the wing it is just that I want to score loads of goals and it is harder to do it from the wing. John (Coleman) knows I want to go back up front but he knows he can trust me to score goals from the wing and work back when needed. But I just want to score - I want to be alongside Paul Mullin, Justin Jackson or whoever up front!"
But, whether on the wing or up front, he has his sights set on getting one past the Terriers.
"It would be nice to get a goal on television but I don't mind which team we are playing, whether Hereford or Huddersfield - I want to score and I want to win. If there is one thing I hate it is losing."
