There is always the fear of the unknown in every sphere of life and even in our game of football. We you are confronted with an unfamiliar foe, in an unfamiliar arena, then there is an hidden element of fear to a certain degree. Even when playing with a family foe, there is always the fear of the unexpected according to the popular saying that "once beaten, twice shy"
The first strategy normally adopted by football players and teams who find themselves in this situation is to play cautiously until they are certain enough that the opponents are not ready to take advantage of the situation.
If the unfamiliar foe playing on their own terrain employ the same cautious tactics, which in football is regarded to as the sit back approach, then it is the time for the visiting team to stamp their authority by taking the game to the unfamiliar foe in an attempt to lure them out of their shell.
The best strategy a football team could possible adopt in this situation is to take the game to the unfamiliar foe right from the blast of the whistle. This will ensure that the foe retreat until such a time that they can overcome the early scare.
If however the foe, continue to surrender control, then it is the time for the visiting football team to consistently mount pressure upon pressure till such foe cracks up or are at able to show a weak point.
The weakness should be used to an advantage. This is the best tactics adopted by most football managers' , players'. The element of surprise in football can work for or against any football team at any point in time depending on the tactics adopted by the manager, and the emotional stability of the players' to perform under pressure. This is the defining factor.