The first question to ask is, do we care about the Carling Cup?  I do but does Alex McLeish?  I expect we’ll find out when we see the team sheet tomorrow.  My belief is that we have a big enough squad to put out a decent team tomorrow without risking injuries to key players before the Tottenham game.  Anyway why would players need a rest only three games into the season?  It would be a good time to try a few different players out but it is important that we win and score some goals.  While we have had a decent start to the season we have not yet scored from open play so hitting the back of the net a few times will help improve confidence.

Some people say a cup run could be a distraction and that staying up is more important but I disagree.  It’s true that our best cup performance in recent years, where we made the last eight of both, happened in our relegation season of 2005-06 but I believe we would have gone down anyway.  Often a cup run can help as it gives the players a break from the stress of the league.  While we are unlikely to win a the competition a day out at Wembley will be something we will always remember and in my opinion worth risking relegation for.  No ones going to be telling their grandchildren in 50 years time about the day when Blues finished 16th in the league are they.

Having said that I expect their to be a few changes from the side that laboured to a draw against Stoke.  I expect Bowyer to play as he missed the first two but I would also not be surprised to see the likes of McSheffrey, Espinoza and James O’Shea getting a game.  Benitez could get his first start as he needs as many games as possible.  Maik Taylor will probably play in goal but the defence will be much the same as we have limited options.

We played (and lost to) Southampton at the same stage last year but since then they have been relegated and sit bottom of league one having been docked ten points for financial difficulties.  They will be no push overs and may be targeting a cup run for much needed income however I expect Blues to come through with a victory if they take it seriously enough.