Manager Steve Evans believes Crawley have the wherewithal to cause an FA Cup upset against Stoke this weekend.
The npower League Two outfit welcome the top-flight side to their Broadfield Stadium home on Sunday for an FA Cup fifth-round tie.
It is the second successive season Crawley have made this stage of the competition, having bowed out at Old Trafford after a tough battle with Manchester United this time last year.
Red Devils boss Evans knows Stoke will provide a different set of challenges on Sunday, but thinks there is a realistic chance of causing an upset.
"I think everybody in football will recognise the size of the task, but the people that set expectations are not owners, not supporters and not managers," he said.
"The people that set expectations are players and our players over the past 18 months have continued to set higher expectations by their performances and their results.
"I can't say it any louder or clearer that we respect Stoke City, but we certainly don't fear them.
"We know we could be on the reverse of a 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0 scoreline because we are playing a Premier League side.
"But they could be on the end of a 1-0 defeat, couldn't they?"
Crawley overcame Bury, Redbridge, Bristol City and Hull to reach the fifth-round against Stoke.
Evans knows Tony Pulis' side provide an all together different task and joked his players are considering using stilts in a bid to quell City's physical threat.
"When we went to Manchester United last year we said we were going to go and play, pass the ball and attack them," the Glaswegian said.
"People thought we were silly to say that but that's how we played and we know that while history shows they beat us, we were unfortunately beaten.
"We cannot take the view that we must match Stoke City physically because they will beat us up.
"If you're not 6ft 3in you don't get a trial. They're a big side, they're extremely well organised and they are very efficient from set plays.
"We need to combat that but we also need to try and adapt to our style, which is compete as much as we can physically but try and play.
"If we can make it a football match as opposed to a physical match then we have more of a chance."
Evans was at the Britannia Stadium on Thursday to witness Stoke slip to a Europa League round of 32 first leg defeat to Valencia.
The Potters travel to face Crawley before the return leg in Spain looking for a win in the midst of a poor run of form.
"I came back last night and watched a recording of the game," Evans said.
"I heard Craig Burley say that Stoke City's next game was away at Crawley and Valencia's is away at Barcelona.
"We know the type of teams Stoke have been beaten by. We know we're not at the same level as them.
"It is 11 v 11 at 12 o'clock on Sunday and we're going to do our very best to get to the next round.
"I am sure with the run Stoke City is on, probably one of the last places in the world Tony wants to take his team to is West Sussex on Sunday."
New signing Rene Gilmartin could make his Crawley debut on Sunday after joining on loan until the end of March.
The Watford goalkeeper will battle it out with Michel Kuipers in the absence of Scott Shearer, who requires knee surgery.
Crawley will be without cup-tied attackers Karl Hawley and Billy Clarke, while fellow frontman Matt Tubbs - who scored the decisive goals against Bristol City and Hull - left last month for Bournemouth.
Pulis will certainly not be underestimating the task his side face.
The Potters boss, whose side were beaten by Manchester City in last year's final, said: "We did fantastic in the cup last year and we want to have another cup run if we can.
"They're always difficult games. Our biggest thing is to make sure the lads recover in time. They're a good side, the way they play, they've had a great season so far and it'll be a really tough game."
Matthew Upson could be involved after serving a European ban, while fellow centre-back Robert Huth will sit out the second of his three-match domestic suspension, but goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is likely to keep his place.
Pulis must check on the fitness of midfielder Dean Whitehead after he sustained a nasty gash to his leg in a challenge with Tino Costa that the Potters boss felt should have produced a red card.
Source: PA
Source: PA