Stand-in skipper Liam Ridgewell is determined to avoid another shock defeat as Birmingham travel to League One Huddersfield in the FA Cup third round this weekend.
Ridgewell was part of the Aston Villa side knocked out by Championship Sheffield United in January 2005 and in the following season his team were hammered 3-0 by Doncaster in the Carling Cup.
Ridgewell, deputising as captain for the injured Damien Johnson, said: "People look at playing a lower-league team as a good draw but sometimes it can be a really tough battle.
"I've played against lower league sides and finished on the losing side when playing for Villa over the past two or three years. It is not a nice feeling.
"We've got to make sure we treat the game at Huddersfield like we are playing Manchester United or Chelsea."
Sulley Muntari admits it will be a wrench to leave Portsmouth after tomorrow's tie at in-form Championship side Ipswich.
Midfielder Muntari and team-mates Kanu and John Utaka of Nigeria and Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop head to Ghana next week for the African Nations Cup, which runs until February 10.
Their absence is sure to leave a big hole in Harry Redknapp's side.
Muntari, Pompey's £7.2million record signing, said: "Because we are doing so well at Portsmouth it is a bit like having to turn off the good music just because your mother has come into the room.
"But there is no higher honour than being picked for your country and in Ghana we have a special responsibility because we are the hosts - and one of the favourites.
"It is still hard, though, to leave your club when the results and performances have been so good."
Chelsea host QPR without several players due to injury and suspension but star midfielder Frank Lampard - one of their crocks - has reiterated his commitment to the club.
The England international has told fans there is no sinister motive behind his decision to delay contract talks until the end of the season.
Speculation over Lampard's future has been rife following his decision to suspend talks over a long-term extension to his current deal, which expires in 18 months.
Lampard, currently sidelined with a thigh problem, said: "Nothing has changed since the club and I decided that we wouldn't talk until the end of the season.
"But I don't want the fans to think there is anything sinister about it because I'm desperate to get it done.
"I want to stay at this club for the rest of my career. I do not think I would receive the love I get from the Chelsea fans anywhere else. I would love another six or seven years of it.
"On a scale of one to 10, Chelsea is a 10 for me in terms of importance."
Goalkeeper Tim Howard believes Everton have the squad depth to continue to fight on four fronts.
The Toffees, who host Oldham tomorrow, are currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League, have a Carling Cup semi-final to look forward to and are still involved in the UEFA Cup.
American Howard said: "It is a task in terms of trying to refocus and resetting your priorities.
"But we are looking forward to a good weekend and we are up for it. The boss [David Moyes] wants success on all fronts and everybody else wants it too."
Sunderland defender Danny Collins admits the side's league worries will not be far from their minds when they face Wigan at the Stadium of Light.
Both clubs are battling to pull away from the bottom of the Premier League and, although the pressure to some extent is off tomorrow, the game could prove a good test of both teams' resilience.
The Wales international said: "I was here two years ago and caught up in the disappointing season when we were relegated on 15 points, it was not nice to be part of that.
"It would be nice to get that monkey off our backs and stay in the league this year having had a good season, and hopefully that's what we can achieve."
The game will also see Sunderland boss Roy Keane lock horns with his old Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce, now in charge of the Latics.
Bruce may take the opportunity to rest a number of players following their midweek draw at Liverpool, particularly striker Emile Heskey, who could be key to the side's survival hopes.
Bruce said: "We have a few knocks, bumps and bruises, after the Liverpool game, and we must be careful. But I look at how we have done over the holiday period with five points from four matches and the lads have done exceptionally well.
"I am tempted to freshen up the side a bit, because there are people at the club I have not even seen play a first-team match yet. So this could be an ideal opportunity for me to see a few new faces."
