Weston warning ahead of cup tie
Walsall defender Rhys Weston has warned his team-mates they must avoid another early cup exit and cannot be billed as favourites for the trip to Accrington.
The Saddlers travel to Stanley for their Carling Cup first round tie after their opening day 1-0 win at Brighton on Saturday.
Weston knows they need to build on the Withdean win but insists they cannot be tagged as favourites, despite facing League Two opposition.
He said: "I don't think we're favourites, there are no real favourites at this stage of the cup.
"Obviously there's a divisional gap but I know Accrington will be up for it. It's a no-win situation for us.
"We'll be expected, on paper, to go and win the game. If we do no-one will be surprised but, if we get beaten, the vultures will be out.
"We'll be approaching it properly and in the right manner, but the facts are if we perform to the best of our ability we'll win the game."
Weston's cross led to Andrew Whing's own goal for the winner at Brighton, as the Saddlers dealt with the open Withdean Stadium.
The Fraser Eagle Stadium is more compact and the former Arsenal trainee reckons they will have to ignore their less salubrious surroundings.
He said: "I've been there once in a pre-season game a few years back and it's not a bad ground.
"It's a Football League ground - irrespective of where you play you have to approach the game in the right manner.
"It's a game of football at the end of the day - you have to go and do your job.
"We're looking forward to Accrington, because we need to build some momentum. The fact the game is so quick after the first game will be a massive help for us to get a cup run."
The 28-year-old should start against Stanley, but boss Chris Hutchings admitted he is considering changes.
Clayton Ince is in the Port of Spain for Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup qualifier against El Salvador tomorrow and will be replaced by Rene Gilmartin.
Mark Bradley is also away with Wales under-21's, who host Hungary in Wrexham.
Stephen Roberts could make his first appearance in eight months, while Alex Nicholls and Richard Taundry are also pushing to start.
But - whoever plays - Weston is planning to lead from the front, after his appointment as club captain alongside regular skipper Mark Hughes.
He said: "I'm not quite sure exactly what that means, but Hughesy has come in and taken the armband and rightly so.
"Mark is a young lad, quite unassuming but he leads by example. I am one of the older heads round the place, so I am more of a liaison than anything really.
"It's a nice responsibility to have, one I m embracing and looking forward to having over the course of the season.
"I'm one of the longest-serving players here now, so it may have been a sympathy vote from the staff!
"I don't know, I'm just pleased to be involved."
Weston also backed Hughes to be a successful leader – although admits he may have to help break the language barrier.
He said: "Hughesy is a Scouser so he needs help talking, which means I can translate!"
