Hartlepool manager Graeme Lee reveals preparation secret ahead of Crystal Palace FA Cup tie

Hartlepool United manager Graeme Lee has revealed he's had several friends and contacts within the game reach out offering analysis on Crystal Palace ahead of their FA Cup tie on Saturday.

The League Two side will go toe-to-toe with Patrick Vieira's Premier League outfit at Selhurst Park in a bid to reach the fifth round, having already overcome opposition from divisions above them in each of the last three stages of the competition.

The Pools, who are the third-lowest ranked side left in the FA Cup this season, are going to need all the help they can get if they want to beat Palace, with boss Lee admitting in his pre-match press conference that he'd been in contact with several people at the 'top level' of the game willing to offer their support.

"In our league, there are one or two threats you're trying to nullify - they're going to have many more which is why we need to be on our game," said the 43-year-old.

"I've been fortunate. I've had friends in the game at that top-level who have passed on their analysis from the Premier League games [Palace] have played.

"There's loads of footage out there and there's loads of footage that I've been passed on by contacts in the game, which is fantastic.

"I think almost everyone - you've got friends in football - but most people love a little bit of an upset, so if they can help you out they will."

Lee will be hoping his side can spring an unlikely upset on Palace on the weekend but they will have history on their side. Hartlepool managed to beat the Eagles the last time the two sides met in the FA Cup, overcoming them 1-0 in the third round back in 1993.

Despite it being almost 30 years since that famous result, the Pools' boss says he has to believe that he can beat