JAMES McKeown would love to land Manchester United in the next round of the FA Cup – or failing that, Peterborough United.
The Mariners host Northampton at Blundell Park tomorrow for a tantalising Second Round encounter.
The prize for the winner is potentially huge – a trip to Old Trafford, Anfield, the Etihad Stadium or the Emirates, perhaps.
'Only' the League Two Cobblers stand in the way of a place in Sunday's third round draw.
Town's keeper McKeown says the players appreciate exactly what is at stake, and the impact a victory over Aidy Boothroyd's side could have.
"Promotion will always be our focus, but the cups will again be very important to us this season," he told the Telegraph.
"If we beat Northampton and get a big draw in the third round then that will be a big lift for the club and the whole town.
"Even if we get Manchester United and get hammered 6-0, you'd like to think the excitement from the build-up can help us achieve our goal.
"Times are hard, especially at this level. It's not all what people read in the papers, in terms of millionaire footballers and billionaire owners.
"We're playing from season-to- season. So if you can get a good draw and get some money into the club then it will benefit us all and might allow us to bring in a couple of additions."
As with the fans, the Town players' minds inevitably wander ahead to the third round and what might be – and McKeown is no different.
"I'd have to plump for Manchester United," he said on the topic of preferred opponents.
"But at the same time a little part of me would love to play against Peterborough, just because I used to play for them.
"For everyone else that would probably be a rubbish draw but it would be great for me!
"You never know though. If you get a winnable game against a lower league side then you could even make it into the fourth round.
"It's all 'ifs and maybes' at the moment, though. We've got to get past another League Two side. To do it against Scunny was one thing, but to do it again is going to be very tough."
The Cobblers are currently languishing in 23rd position in League Two, but have won three of their last five games in all competitions.
"It's not very often that Conference teams get through to the third round having to beat more than one league club," added McKeown.
"So it's going to be a very tough game. I know they're not having the best season, but they made play-offs last year and can't have become a bad team overnight.
"They'll probably see this as a very winnable game themselves.
"You would probably still say they are favourites, just, because they are the league club.
"But there are only four or five places in it, with them near the bottom of League Two and we're near the top of the Conference."
He continued: "Even going all the way up to the bottom of League One, there isn't a massive difference from the top sides in the Conference.
"Also, we're at home, and if the Blundell Park crowd are anything like they were against Scunny then that could switch the advantage in our favour.
"If we beat them it would have to be classed as an upset, but it's a pretty tight one to call."
After dumping local rivals Scunthorpe United out of the competition at the last stage, McKeown and his team-mates sense this could be a special year for the Mariners.
"For every fan and all us players, the Scunny game is one that will live long in the memory," the 24-year-old said.
"To draw with your nearest rivals at home and then go and beat them at their place is something special.
"People say the FA Cup has lost it's magic, but I'm not sure.
"It might have if you support Arsenal, and you watch their reserves lose 1-0 in the early stages.
"But after our win at Scunny, if we beat Northampton and land a big Premier League club, people will be interested in the cup again."
