By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-09-24 17:45:40 | Updated at 2024-09-30 09:29:52
5 days ago
Hello and welcome to third round coverage from the League Cup as the Premier League sides playing in Europe begin their campaigns.
Tom Cleverley has told his Watford team to play with no fear when they head to Manchester City this evening.
The Championship side go to the Etihad on the back of a 4-1 league defeat at Norwich City on Saturday but Cleverley has called on his players to rise to the occasion.
“It’s the first major test of our character and there’s no bigger test than Man City away,” Cleverley said.
“I’ve enjoyed the preparation for this game because it completely wipes the memory of Norwich very quickly.
“You like to think that our players will up their levels, because of where we’re going and because of how intense we need to be, and how focused and disciplined we need to be without the ball.
“I think it’s the kind of test we need right now to show that yes, we can show character without the ball, and we do have that structured discipline that we were so good at around the end of last season. We’ve lost our way a little bit on that in the last two games.”
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery admits the League Cup is at the bottom of his priorities this season which could open the door for League One Wycombe to cause an upset.
Emery’s men are juggling the Premier League and Champions League this season and that is where the Spaniard concedes his focus is on.
He said: “It is clear the priority is the Premier League, 38 matches, through it we have to get our first objective - try and be in the top seven and be consistent in playing in Europe. That is the most difficult way through the Premier League.
“The second most difficult is the Champions League and then we have to try to find something important in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The FA Cup is maybe more important than the Carabao Cup, but the Carabao Cup is a trophy and we are going to compete.
“Of course I am going to change some players but I am going to prepare a plan to win and to get a good way in this competition in case we can get through three matches and get an opportunity to fight for a trophy through it.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca plans to rotate his squad for the visit of an in-form Barrow, who sit 64 places lower in the football pyramid.
The Italian urged his fringe players to make the most of the opportunity.
“They are players that train every day very good but unfortunately I cannot give them chances,” he said.
“All the players that are not getting so many chances, tomorrow is a good chance for them to get minutes and to hopefully win a game.”
Leicester boss Steve Cooper insists he will field an “experienced and strong” team for their clash with Walsall.
A 4-0 second-round victory over League Two side Tranmere in August remains their only win of the season so far.
Leicester are winless from their first five Premier League games and will be aiming to gather some momentum against the Saddlers.
But Cooper, who may have one eye on Saturday’s Premier League match away to Arsenal, said: “It’s a game we want to win.
“It’s a game where the team we put out will be an experienced and strong one.
“Whether we decide to make changes or go with players who play in the league, it will be an experienced team and a game we want to win.”
