The FA Cup has been kind to Martin Allen – but he won't be dwelling on the past as he embarks on a new chapter in the competition with Cheltenham Town this afternoon.

Allen talked yesterday of some of the special moments he has experienced in the competition after guiding former club Brentford to the fifth round in consecutive seasons.

He then quickly told all those within earshot to 'give him a slap' and bring him back down to earth if his mind started to wander from the task in hand.

That involves navigating a path past this year's first-round opponenets Oldham Athletic at Whaddon Road this afternoon, and Allen said: "Yes, this competition has thrown up some special moments for me.

"I would count them as highlights of my managerial career, but there is no point in dwelling on the past.

"They are special moments, consigned to the memory banks, and what I am focusing on now is about what we do going forward for Cheltenham.

"The FA Cup throws up special days, and this is the start of a new chapter for me in the competition with Cheltenham."

Allen caused one of the biggest upsets in the competition three seasons ago when the Bees beat Premier League side Sunderland in the fourth round, but he is under no illusion as to the size of the task facing his side against a Latics team tipped to be in play-off contention come the end of the season.

"We have to take it all one step at a time," Allen said.

"This is a tough game for us.

"We have to concentrate solely on getting through to the second round – the third round, fourth round, Wembley and Europe will have to wait."

If Allen could guide his team through to the next round and perhaps beyond, it would certainly help strengthen his bargaining power in the January transfer window.

Allen, however, has a restricted budget and believes an extended FA Cup run would help boost his transfer dealings in the New Year.

He said: "It certainly would.

"Not only does the FA Cup throw up brilliant days, it can also earn the club good money if you enjoy an extended run.

"In January we have to look to improve, and we are working tirelessly to identify players.

"I am grafting long hours and my mobile phone bill is going to be massive. I am trying to improve the starting XI because I believe the squad as a whole is strong enough.

"Everybody knows I have to reduce the size of the squad and we are also working hard with the commercial department to try and create extra revenue in other ways."

Central defender Diallo will officially become a Robins player in January after agreeing an 18-month contract.

And Allen has urged 'one or two' of his other loan stars to persuade him that they are worth permanent deals. He said: "There have been some indications from one or two of the clubs that I could make some of them permanent in January.

"Some of them have done well for us and some of them can do better.

"They are all here for another two months, so that gives me plenty of time to make decisions on some of them."

Cheltenham Town (from): Higgs, S P Brown, Diallo, Kenton, Gallinagh, Caines, Duff, Wright, Ridley, Murray, Payne, Montrose, Westlake, Bird Finnigan, Watkins, Fathers, Owusu, Connor, Spencer.