NIGEL Adkins’ in-form Saints have been warned not to underestimate their FA Cup opponents this weekend – by a man who played for the club when they were humiliated by Shrewsbury 17 years ago.

Saints’ 2-1 aggregate League Cup defeat to the Shrews in 1993/94, the last time the sides met, went down as one of the most miserable in the club’s history.

And with good reason too – Saints were then in the Premier League while Shrewsbury were battling to get out of the fourth tier.

And the defeat over two legs was the first time Saints had ever lost as a top-flight side to a team from England’s lowest division.

Cockerill (left) said that defeat was a classic example of what can happen in a cup tie against lower league opposition and warned Saints must be switched on at St Mary’s this weekend to avoid another Shrewsbury shocker.

“You have got to make sure you are mentally right,” he stated.

“There are no easy games at any level and that night against Shrewsbury typified it.

“It just proved the point that cup games are just 11 v 11 and whoever wants it more will win.”

Full story in today's Daily Echo