League Cup: Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool

The Carling Cup, or any other external competition for that matter, is always a strange one. Blackpool never seem to take them seriously and consistently get knocked out in the earlier rounds.

For example, the team which faced MK Dons at this stage last season included the likes of Tom Barkhuizen, Ishmel, Rob Edwards, Danny Coid and Mark Halstead.

This season however it could well be different. The Seasiders now have two players per position for league fixtures and thus should be able to pick an eleven to take charge of cup fixtures.

And so Pool travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday looking to avoid an upset and progress through to the second round with what could be a 'cup' team for the 2011/12 season.

Goalkeeper Matt Gilks - who will return to Bloomfield Road following an injury on international duty with Scotland - is delighted with the quality arriving at the seaside.

'You look at someone like Phillips and you just think, 'What a fantastic signing`,' he said.

"He is a proven goalscorer with a proven track-record and I think he can still do a job at this level. There is no doubt he will notch a few goals for us this season.

"It just shows how far this club has come when we can attract players like Kevin and Barry Ferguson. Over the last 12 months the profile of Blackpool FC has gone through the roof and people actually want to come and join this group of lads.'

Probable squad (taken from owlsonline.com):

(4-4-2) Weaver, Otsemobor, R Johnson, Beevers, Reynolds; Sedgwick, O`Connor, Palmer, Jones; Morrison, Madine;

Subs from: R Jones, Buxton, Batth, Bennett, Modest, Prutton, Jameson, Semedo, O`Donnell, Oliver.

The former Rotherham and PNE wide midfielder has quality on the ball and has added experience which could prove key.

It's unlikely that anybody pushing for a start on Sunday (vs Peterborough) will play from the off at Hillsborough.

The only one could be Mark Halstead after the aforementioned injury to Gilks whilst with Scotland.

Possible team:

Halstead

Bignot - Llera - Hill - Harris

Martinez - Sylvestre - Bruna

Clarke - Sutherland - Ince

The striker came on and impressed against Hull City last Friday night but should get a go from the start at Wednesday.

Sutherland - who was signed on the back of a DVD - has an eye for goal after scoring twice in pre-season and could trouble the home backline.

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Sunday August 14, 2011

Peterborough United (H)

5:00

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