Kevin Watson says Colchester United’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur is a great opportunity for them to showcase their talents.

Two of Watson’s former clubs go head to head in the FA Cup this weekend, when the U’s take on Spurs at a sold-out Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Watson started out at Spurs before later in his career becoming a promotion-winner with Colchester, for whom he made more than 150 appearances.

The 42-year-old former playmaker - now assistant manager to Teddy Sheringham at League Two side Stevenage - says the U’s players must not be overawed by the prospect of taking on one of the Premier League’s leading sides.

Watson told the Daily Gazette: “I hope the Col U boys will go out and enjoy the occasion - they’re at home in front of a full house and on the TV.

“What they can’t do on the day is freeze or be in awe of the Spurs players, because if that happens it’ll be a very difficult afternoon for them.

“The eyes of the European football world will be on them but it’s a great opportunity for them to go out and showcase their talents.

“I think it will be a very welcome distraction for the Col U players and they can go out there and give it a real go.

“It won’t be easy for Tottenham and I don’t think they’ll just come and roll Colchester over.

“Colchester’s players have to be strong and get in and around the Spurs players and they can’t afford to have too much respect for them.

“It’s a great occasion for Colchester United as a club - for the fans, Robbie Cowling and the town.”

Watson sampled his own taste of fulfilling the role of FA Cup underdogs at Colchester when he played in their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea, in 2006.

The U’s took the lead at Stamford Bridge thanks to a Ricardo Carvalho own goal.

But Paulo Ferreira equalised and substitute Joe Cole scored two late goals, to finally see off Colchester’s strong challenge.

“No-one really gave us a chance at Chelsea,” said Watson, who was a key player in the U’s 2005/06 promotion-winning side.

“We took the lead and hit the post early on and had a couple of other chances.

“We were the dominant side in the first half but they got a fortunate equaliser and then brought on Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, which gave them a lift.”

Watson also sampled what it was like to be part of a team that were firm favourites in the FA Cup, in the early part of his career.

“I remember playing for Spurs in an FA Cup tie against non-league Marlow, back in 1993,” who trained alongside the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Darren Anderton and Gary Mabbutt at Spurs.

“I set up the last goal for Nick Barmby and we won 5-1 in the end but for quite a while, Marlow gave it a real go.

“I was a second-year apprentice at Spurs when they won the FA Cup, in 1991.

“As a young player, the training ground at Mill Hill was a great place to be every day with all of the stars there.

“I had a fantastic time at Tottenham and I really learnt my trade there.

“Working with coaches like Chris Hughton, Pat Holland and Keith Waldon really helped me.

“And I was so lucky to work under Terry Venables, whose ideas were way ahead of his time.

“It’s been a long time since Spurs won the FA Cup but Spurs have a good chance in both the league and the cup, this season.”

For all of the build-up to the U's game against Tottenham Hotspur, see the Daily Gazette.