Wanderers hit the Trophy trail again on Tuesday night as they bid to regain the winning thread and reach the quarter-finals for the third season running, writes Pete Oliver.
The 2023 winners have an impressive recent record in the competition and face Lincoln City on Tuesday night with a place in the last-eight again up for grabs.
And, just as importantly, the Whites are looking to bounce back from a sub-standard showing at Rotherham United on Saturday which made it two wins and two losses in a four-game run which started with a 3-0 home success over Lincoln in League One at the end of December.
“The mood is good. It has to be. We've got a big game coming up tomorrow night,” insisted joint assistant-manager Peter Atherton as Wanderers re-grouped following their 3-1 defeat at Millmoor.
“It's important we analyse Saturday and the improvements we need to make. We have spoken about it but it's time to move on now and focus on Lincoln.
“Everybody is of the same mind. We all know we underachieved and it's up to us now to put that back on track straight away and Tuesday is the next opportunity we have to put that right.
“Winning is a habit. Whether it's cup or league we want to win games and if you can build up some momentum things can turn around pretty fast and hopefully tomorrow is the start of that.”
Boss Ian Evatt spoke a few home truths following the loss in South Yorkshire which left his side 10th in the table and four points outside the play-off spots.
Wanderers now have back-to-back home league games to come and Atherton hopes Tuesday night’s Vertu Trophy tie can get them back in the groove for those, as well as potentially keep open a route back to Wembley.
He told Wanderers TV: “Both teams will know each other pretty well. We played each other two weeks ago so that will be fresh in our minds. Lincoln will obviously be looking to respond well after losing that game but likewise, after Saturday's defeat and disappointment, we will be looking to put that right for ourselves.
“It will be a tough game but one we're looking forward to. We've had good success in this cup in the past few years so we will be looking to emulate that. We know the league is the priority but this competition brings good rewards and we're looking for a win just to build up some momentum.
“When you come to these stages (of the competition) there is certainly the carrot of Wembley in the background and we’re looking forward to trying to get there again. But the focus is on just the 90 minutes and trying to get the win and then we'll take it from there.”
Midfielder Josh Sheehan will be assessed ahead of the trip to Lincoln - whose run to the last-16 saw them finish second in their qualifying group and then win 1-0 at Morecambe in the last round - following eight games out through injury.
But the Whites will be without the cup-tied pair of Aaron Morley and new signing Joel Randall as they aim to put themselves two more wins from Wembley.
Watch Peter Atherton’s full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV