Carr's Cup Favourites

TONY Carr will send his Under-18 team up against Southampton in the FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final at Upton Park this evening, kick-off 7.00pm.

And the Hammers Academy Director insists preparations for the game have gone well.

"We've worked a lot on preparing the mental side of our game," explained Tony. "Doing work on the training ground had to wait until the weekend because we had other games to focus on.

"But we've been doing a lot of mental preparation, setting out our team and tactics and reviewing where we're going to be at out best.

"The preparations have gone well and everyone is looking forward to the game. It should be a great occasion and a fantastic night for the players."

Tony knows that Southampton will pose a serious threat to his side this evening, and admits that as it stands, they are the favourites to win the tournament.

"Southampton are definitely favourites for the FA Youth Cup, it's as simple as that," he admitted. "They are the team to beat and they've only lost one game, away to Arsenal, all season.

"But we're going into the game believing that we can do it. We've had some good performances in the competition this season and we know that we have to do what very few clubs have been able to do this season."

Although many believe the winner of this tie will have a great chance of lifting the FA Youth Cup, Tony exercises caution in writing other teams off.

"I'm sure there are a few other teams who might disagree with that," he said. "But it's a massive cup-tie and you get the feeling that it's the sort of game where whoever wins will have a great chance of going on to win the competition.

"But all we want to focus on right now is the game we've got in the Quarter-Finals, which is a huge game for both teams.
"Southampton are massive favourites going into the game, but favourites don't always win."