"If it's war you want, then war you shall get!'' That was the message from the Boulevard camp to rivals Vasco yesterday, as the Blazers prepared for what promises to be an intriguing clash for the Martonmere Cup Trophy tomorrow at National Stadium (3 p.m.).

Despite having lost twice already this season to the Portuguese club, Boulevard's outspoken centre-back Leroy Stevens, taking a line from Buju Banton's latest hit recording, emphasised there would be "no easy road'' to glory for the favourites.

"We're looking for a war and I promise it will be a battle,'' said Stevens, relaxing with team-mates near his mother's Curving Avenue home. "I'm not putting on my boots to lose, I'm strapping up for a battle.

"As a matter of fact I'm bringing my work boots, because it ain't going to be no picnic up there.'' "Revenge is sweeter than victory!'' chirped Vernon Eve, another of the Blazers' veterans hoping for a victory celebration come Saturday evening.

Harsh words emanating from a side that already has felt the wrath of a rampant Vasco outfit in two previous encounters this season and a side who were similarly defeated in last year's final.

However, Stevens was quick to paint the recent failures more as a result of needless errors by Boulevard, rather than Vasco's superiority.

He did concede tomorrow's opponents to be a dangerous side, one with a potent attack, but emphasised they were "quite beatable''.

"The two games we lost were because of goals we gave them, not ones that they created and it's just a matter of shoring up certain areas and correcting mistakes,'' explained Stevens. "True, they have the most on form front-line at the moment. They're just a lot of non-stop running, but if we stay up on them and make them play and ourselves play as a team, defending and attacking, you won't even notice them.

"The main thing is discipline, shut down your man and if a chance comes along take it.'' Coach Albert Smith was not nearly as bodacious in his comments, preferring a low key approach while stressing the importance of playing to the team's strength and capitalising on openings.

"We need to put our early chances away... chances can make you or break you,'' said Smith. "We just have to play hard.'' It appears certain the challengers will have to make at least two changes to the squad from the one that fought Dandy Town to a 2-2 stalemate last week, with captain and midfielder Dwight (Payback) Warren and full-back Albert Caisey unavailable due to religious commitments -- both are Seventh Day Adventists.

Possible replacements include Shivaughn (Bazooka) Smith for Warren, while Eve, if recovered from a leg injury, could come in for Caisey in the left-back slot.

Still, whatever squad Smith produces they will be hard pressed to unseat Vasco, unbeaten in eight matches, winning seven of them.

Vasco head man John Rebello was yesterday hopeful that playing on the "carpet'' in front of several hundred screaming fans would provide motivation enough for his men to continue that string.

He was well aware of the complacency accompanying a team on a roll such as Vasco.

"It gets harder and harder to keep the guys on edge and not start to cruise,'' said Rebello, who has guided the club to a pair of FA Cup titles in the past two years. "I would like to think that playing at the National Stadium and defending what is yours would make them want to step up their game and be motivated.

"This year the roles are reversed, with Boulevard trying to take the trophy back and we'll have to work hard to achieve our goal.'' Rebello pointed to improved team unity and the general camaraderie that now exists between the players as the major reason for this year's success, something that was not evident in previous campaigns.

The main event will be preceded by the consolation final featuring North Village and St. George's.

ON THE WARPATH -- Boulevard stalwart Leroy Stevens.