Checkatrade Trophy offers lure of Wembley for Florent Cuvelier

The Saddlers begin a journey which they hope will end at Wembley when they face Albion’s under-21s side at the Banks’s Stadium tonight.

Both teams have been drawn together in Northern Group E alongside Midlands rivals Coventry and Shrewsbury.

Previously known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, the competition has received heavy criticism from supporters due to the involvement of 16 under-21 teams from Premier League and Championship clubs.

That has lead to many fans opting to boycott games with Walsall recording their lowest ever attendance at Bescot Stadium last season when just 925 people watched their clash with Oldham.

But with Walsall boss Jon Whitney set to give some of his squad players a chance to impress this evening, Cuvelier has told his team mates to see the match as an opportunity.

“Ultimately the Checkatrade Trophy is a chance to get to Wembley,” the midfielder said.

“But whether it’s the league or the cup – it’s an appearance and a chance to impress.

“You have to grab it. Every game we play we go out to win and we want to go as far as we can in the competition.

“We have got a some young players and this will be a great experience for them.

“It’s crazy to think at 25 I’m considered an old player.

“But we have lot of good, young players. I have been there myself so I am always willing to help. They bring a lot of energy.”

Cuvelier, who was born in Anderlecht, made his second start of the season on Saturday as Walsall played out a 1-1 draw with high-flying Peterborough.

And after being hammered 5-1 at Rotherham in their previous outing, the midfielder now wants the game to spark an unbeaten run of results.

“Rotherham last week was embarrassing,” the former Stoke man said.

“My family are in Belgium and they always ask me how did the game go?

“When I told them we lost 5-1 it really hurt. You feel embarrassed as a player. As a team we all felt that.

“But we knew we would react against Peterborough.

“I think we were really unfortunate not to get the three points.

“In this league it’s very important you don’t lose too many games in a row.

“It’s all about momentum and one point on the board is better than none.

“Now our next four fixtures in the league are difficult. But we have already shown this season we are a match for anyone. Every game in League One is difficult but every game is winnable.”

While Walsall are yet to win an away game in 2017, they can boast a hugely impressive record at the Banks’s Stadium this calender year. And Cuvelier believes that is now starting to play on the minds of their opponents.

“Our he form is very important,” he added.

“Opponents will look at our record. If you travel to take on a team and you know they never lose there – it makes you think.

“You know you are going to be in for a tough game.

“It’s difficult to know why the form has been so different away.

“But we learned a tough lesson at Rotherham. That won’t happen again.”