AS Latics prepare for their first taste of the FA Cup this season - and in some cases the first experience of the competition in some of the players’ careers - when they take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road tomorrow, they will be hoping to channel positive cup vibes.

For the Carabao Cup has provided some of the highlights of the season, with dramatic penalty shoot-out wins over Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley.

It led to a third round trip to Brentford, which did not go quite so well, losing 7-0 to the Premier League side.

But Curle feels Latics can give a good account of themselves as they face League One opposition for the second time this season, just as they did against Accrington.

Ipswich are a side in form, though, with three wins from their last four in League One, including an emphatic 4-1 triumph at Wycombe in midweek, which ended the Chairboys unblemished start to the season at home.

Tractor Boys boss Paul Cook said: Ipswich Town boss is already looking beyond Latics, having set his sights on an FA Cup third round derby with Premier League neighbours Norwich City.

Despite failing to beat the Canaries in 12 meetings going back to 2009, and having two divisions between them, the Tractor Boys chief is dreaming of a big upset.

The former Burnley and Stockport County midfielder said of the clash with Oldham: “It’s a great tie and the FA Cup is special for everyone.

“For me as a manager I’d love to get to the third round and I’d love us to get Norwich at home. I think that would be great for us all.

“That would give our fans the massive matchday feel we maybe haven’t had for a bit. There’s nothing like having big games at your home stadium.”

Curle was aggrieved Cook was looking beyond the first round, but added: “He probably saw our score at Brentford.”