FA Cup: Ronald Koeman to name strong Southampton team for third-round clash with Ipswich

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is dreaming of lifting the FA Cup, a competition he says he would love to have played in.

The Saints have a tricky third round clash with Championship promotion chasers Ipswich on Sunday, but confidence is high on the south coast after their impressive 2-0 victory over Arsenal on New Year’s Day.

Along with thousands of other football fans in the Netherlands, Koeman grew up watching the famous old competition on television and, having taken over at St Mary's in the summer, the former Barcelona European Cup winner cannot wait for his first live taste of FA Cup action.

"When I was a young kid watching the FA Cup finals in Holland, it was always a special day and maybe if I have one of the dreams, then maybe it is a dream to be playing in an FA Cup final," said Koeman.

"I spoke once to Ruud Gullit (about it), and he had one FA Cup final as the manager with Chelsea, and it was very special (for him).

"But it is a long way to Wembley, we will have to beat a lot of teams, so it all starts on Sunday."

Every game we take seriously, we did that in the League Cup, and we will do it in the FA Cup.

Last season, to the disappointment of many Southampton fans, former boss Mauricio Pochettino named a weakened side for their fifth round tie at Sunderland and paid the price, Saints losing 1-0.

Expectations are high in Hampshire and unlike many stadiums around the country on third round weekend, St Mary’s will be full.

Koeman is not expecting to make any major changes for Sunday's tie, having fielded strong sides in Southampton's run to the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.

Southampton will have done their homework on Ipswich as Koeman looks to build some momentum in 2015.

"We have to analyse the games of Ipswich to prepare the players," he said.

"It will be tough against Ipswich, they are a good team, a strong opponent and one of the leaders in the Championship.

"Every game we take seriously, we did that in the League Cup, and we will do it in the FA Cup. I hate losing, the team is good, the freshness of the players is very positive."

"We gave the youngsters already some minutes in the Premier League, it is not different. I gave (defender) Matthew Targett the confidence and the time to play in the League Cup, but I believe in young players.

"I don't like to change the side a lot because I believe in the spirit of the team and what we are doing now."