EFL Cup – Charlton host Forest Green Rovers

Championship side Charlton Athletic host League Two opposition as Forest Green Rovers in the first round of the EFL Cup.

Both sides find themselves in good form going into this fixture. Charlton sit second in the second tier, below Sheffield Wednesday by just goal difference, whilst Forest Green sit fifth after two games, with one win and one draw to their name.

The home side opened their campaign winning at Blackburn 2-1 before rolling over the much fancied Stoke City 3-1 at home to start the season with a 100% record. Former AFC Wimbledon striker Lyle Taylor getting on the scoresheet in both games.

Forest Green meanwhile, bested Oldham at home on the opening day before being pegged back late on against Walsall to earn a point at the Bescot Stadium.

Lee Bowyer

After that win over Stoke City, Lee Bowyer was already looking ahead to this fixture, saying;

“Sam Field will play and Jake Forster-Caskey. They are two lads that need to get minutes into them.

“I spoke to the fitness fella at West Brom and he was saying Sam hadn’t played many minutes in pre-season. So he’s a little bit behind. I don’t want to just chuck him in the deep end because you are always getting judged. I want to try and get him some minutes. He’s a quiet lad, so I need to break him in really with the group.

“He’ll play, Macauley Bonne will play, Chuks (Aneke) will play. There are going to be a lot of changes.”

Mark Cooper

The Forest Green Rovers manager said of his sides venture into the EFL Cup;

“Yeah, it would be nice to get through a round! But we don’t do well with the draws we always seem to get a tough draw, away from home and a big team, or a team on a higher level than us”

“It’s great for us to be going to the Valley, and playing such a good club like Charlton. They had a great season last year and the manager has done fantastically well. Two good wins they’ve started with, so it’s gonna be a tough game.”

“We will make some changes and hopefully the boys who get a chance can show what they are all about”