Express & Star

Dean Smith: Walsall can rock Chelsea

Published
Last updated

Walsall boss Dean Smith wants the Banks's Stadium rocking for tonight's visit of Premier League champions Chelsea.

more

Jose Mourinho's multi-millionaires arrive in town to defend the Capital One Cup trophy they won back in March.

A sell-out crowd is expected for what promises to be a hugely-memorable night with John Terry, Radamel Falcao and Pedro all likely to feature.

And Smith has called on passionate Saddlers fans to roar their team on to what would be one of the club's greatest-ever cup shocks.

He said: "I want the Banks's rocking and I want to pull off a cup shock. It should be a really good night.

"We know we are going to have to be at our best and have 11 players playing at eight or nine out of 10, but if we do that we have a chance.

"We have not had a big draw like this for a while and it certainly captures the imagination."Having a game where it's a sell-out really gets the juices flowing.

"Whatever team they put out will be full of internationals, but in any game of football there is a chance for a shock and we'll give it everything we can to try and win."

Walsall secured their place in the third round of the competition by seeing off Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Brighton.

For Chelsea, it's their first outing in the tournament since last season's final and Smith has promised Mourinho and his players they are in for a difficult night.

[related_posts title="More on Walsall v Chelsea"]

He added: "They are in for a tough game. Our work ethic is very good and we will try to play the right way. We have got an identity at the football club in the way we want to play and the values we have.

"I've got no doubt we will give a good account of ourselves. This is a massive opportunity for my players.

"We always talk about opportunity at the football club and this is a chance for my players to create history for themselves and the club."

Despite Smith's warning, Mourinho insists his players are fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

But the former Real Madrid manager is still expected to field a a weakened side with a visit to Newcastle to come on Saturday before another trip to Porto three days later in the Champions League.

He said: "Walsall is a cup game, a cup that we won and a cup that we don't want to throw away. We want to try to win. It is one more difficult match."