Sam could be secret weapon The League Cup is surely a trophy we could win one day. Be nice wouldn't it? That ambition seemed to get some push back this season when we were drawn out of the hat directly after Chelsea in the 3rd Round.

They could put any manner of their squad players in and it wouldn't matter and unlike Arsenal and Man U previously, Mourinho takes every competition seriously. "If a trophy is there to be won, then we are trying to win it," Mourinho's number two Steve Clarke said today.

So what have we got to lose? Wouldn't we rather see us get beat 4-2 but give them a bloody good game or shall we play it tight but eventually succumb to a 1-0 defeat?

Obviously Smertin is not available but it remains to be seen if others are rested. I fancy us going 4-4-2, at least initially with Bothroyd starting up front with Bent. I think Kiely will play and El K seems a more likely option (wrongly in my opinion) in the role of Smertin than Holland or Hughes.

An alternative proposition, and one I would be excited about, is to play Ambrose in the middle alongside Murphy with Lloyd Sam out wide. Sam may well be our little secret weapon.

Despite Spector being decidedly uncertain at left back on Saturday, I would persevere with him. Powell will not be a better bet against Robben or Wright-Phillips. Oh, I don't know why we are the slightest bit worried....

It should be a good atmosphere though. It was nice to hear that we sold our allocation, I understand that the game is a sell-out. I will have it on the radio.

Come on you Addicks.  ¶ 00:55