NIGEL Clough says it is important the Brewers win this evening and expects a tough challenge in the Carabao Cup against Oldham Athletic.
The Brewers manager said ahead of tonight's clash: “We want to try and get through in the cup, that’s our aim and it is important we don’t lose. This time last year we played Bury and we won in extra time and went onto face Liverpool at home. Even though the result went against us that night against Liverpool, it was a great experience for everybody at the club. If we get through, you never know on Thursday night when they do the draw we may get another big side visit the Pirelli.
“The FA Cup still has its magic feel to the competition but the Carabao Cup is a competition where teams can realistically go far with a few wins with bigger sides often playing weaker sides, when I managed Sheffield United we got into the semi-finals. If you get through the early rounds and get a few kind draws and a bit of luck you can go far into the quarters and so on before you know. We will be doing our all to win.”
On the challenge that Oldham will give his Brewers side, Clough said: “The players should be under no illusions on how difficult it will be, Connor and Matty Palmer who have both played for them in the past will appreciate how difficult it will be. We played in pre-season against two similar sides in AFC Wimbledon and Shrewsbury Town and lost both and didn’t score in either of those games. We will have practiced our penalties in training and will remind the lads about the new penalty system in place.”