Why Wigan Athletic ace has mixed memories of the FA Cup - 'not something to really mess around with'
Young Akeel Higgins has experienced ecstasy and agony in the FA Cup already during his short career
Akeel Higgins has mixed emotions about the FA Cup ahead of Wigan Athletic's tough first-round trip to Boreham Wood this weekend.
Three seasons ago, the 21-year-old midfielder made his senior debut as a second-half substitute in West Brom's 4-1 victory over non-league Aldershot at the Hawthorns.
However, he's also experienced the other side of the coin, as part of an Exeter City side - managed by Gary Caldwell, with fellow summer signing Joe Whitworth in goal - beaten 10-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last term.
"It's a very special competition for everyone - especially me," acknowledged Higgins.
"My first game for West Brom when I was 18 was in the competition, and so it will always mean a lot to me.
"Last season, under the gaffer at Exeter, we drew Man City away, and that was a difficult afternoon to say the least!
"Being on the same pitch as some of those guys...some of the best players in the world...(Erling) Haaland, (Rayan) Cherki, (Jeremy) Doku, Bernardo (Silva), Rodri - a Ballon d'Or winner - can only be good experience.
"But they've put a few goals past a lot of teams over the years, so we were by no means the only ones.
“At least we scored the best goal of the game, so that’s something we could take from it!”
Higgins is just glad to be back on the field, after a hamstring injury has limited his involvement this term.
"Hamstrings are not something to really mess around with, and every time I'm on the pitch my confidence grows that little bit more," said Higgins, who has come off the bench in two of the last three games, after missing virtually all of September and October.
"The coaching staff and medical staff have been doing and saying the right things, and hopefully it won't be long before I'm back to where I was before.
"The injury I had...it took me by surprise, it was so innocuous, and it shouldn't have led to the damage it did.
"But everything happens for a reason, and you've just got to get on with it.
"Watching football is one of the worst things for a player, because you just want to be out there helping the team."