Oh yes the tie we did not want, Crystal Palace away in midweek! Not only do the Football League give us a trip to Selhurst Park on a Tuesday night in November, they condescend to send us there in the League Cup as well.
Coventry boss Micky Adams has defensive worries. Richard Duffy (calf), Marcus Hall (knee),Matt Heath (groin), Richard Shaw (head injury) and Neil Wood (ankle) are all out and Stephen Bywater and Wilo Flood have not been allowed to play by their clubs.
Clayton Ince is likely to start in goal if West Ham do not want Stephen Bywater cup tied which means Jonny Tuffey will step up to the bench.
Coventry boss Micky Adams has defensive worries. Richard Duffy (calf), Marcus Hall (knee),Matt Heath (groin), Richard Shaw (head injury) and Neil Wood (ankle) are all out and Stephen Bywater and Wilo Flood have not been allowed to play by their clubs.
Clayton Ince is likely to start in goal if West Ham do not want Stephen Bywater cup tied which means Jonny Tuffey will step up to the bench. Paul Watson, Andy Impey, Rikki Bains, Issac Osbourne, Kevin Thornton and Luke Webb are all likely to be included.
Adrian Heath said: "We are up against it a bit, but the young lads might be lucky enough to get an opportunity. "It could be a big night for them, but we are down to the bare bones. "The last thing we needed at this stage was another game, but we aren't going there to throw the tie away. "Rikki Bains is a big strong boy who can play at right-back or centre half. "Alan Cork says he has been doing well in the reserves and it could be a big day for him and something he won't forget. "This could be the start of a promising career for a handful of young players. "Luke Webb is a lovely footballer like his father (Neil) and very comfortable on the ball. "Whatever side we put out we want to win, as this is probably the best chance any club has of winning a trophy in our division. "A lot depends on the side they put out but the fact that these games have to be over on the night adds something to the occasion, as it stops people thinking they might nick a replay."
Crystal Palace will be without their star player Andy Johnson. The England international will find out today the result of his knee injury. Reports reckon the striker could be out for six weeks which will also see him miss England’s World Cup Qualifiers against Poland and Austria.
City played at Palace in the League Cup in November 2002 and were beaten 3-0 in a game best remembered for the pre-match fire works. That defeat was the second since the days of the Third Division South when City were beaten 2-0 on September 14th 1957.
Tickets for adults are £15 with specials deals for students and senior citizens seeing them pay £5 if they buy a ticket before the game. Juniors can get a ticket for £2.50 before the day of the game although those who pay on the day will have to pay £7.50. City fans will be house in the Croydon Advertiser stand behind the goal.
Crystal Palace,Selhurst Park, London,SE25 6PU
Main Telephone No: 0208-768-6000,Ticket Office: 08712 000071
How To Get There:
By Road:Leave the M25 at Junction 7 and follow the signs for the A23 to Croydon. At Purley bear left onto the A23 at it's junction with the A235 (to Croydon). You will pass roundabouts and junctions with the A232 and A236 as you pass Croydon, after which the A23 bears left at Thornton Heath. Here you must go straight over, into Brigstock Road (B266), passing Thornton Heath Station on your left and bearing right on to the High Street. At the next mini roundabout, (Whitehorse Road/Grange Road) go left into Whitehorse Lane. The ground is on your right.
Street parking. Sainsburys car park is also available for use.
By Rail:The nearest railway stations are Selhurst or Thornton Heath which are served by London Victoria main line station, Clapham Junction, London Bridge (every 30 mins) and East Croydon (every 15 mins). You can also use Norwood Junction station which is also served by Victoria, but is a little further away. It is then a 10-15 minute walk to ground. Please note that Crystal Palace station is nowhere near the ground.
Buses run by the side of the ground from all surrounding areas.