The second round of the Carling Cup will see AFC Bournemouth host League Two Northampton Town at Dean Coutt after the bank holiday weeked with a gentle reminder that complacency cannot be allowed to slip in given that the Cobblers dispatched Wolves in the first round.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo, manager Eddie Howe is quoted as saying: "We will need to be at our best if we want to progress. A home draw was what we were looking for and we were delighted to get one. The draw has given us a tough assignment and Northampton will be full of confidence after knocking out Wolves at Molineux last night. Having beaten Championship opposition away from home, they will fancy their chances against us and we will need to be on our mettle."
As for a run in the Carling Cup: "There are some great stories told in this competition and there are some great games which can be opened up if you manage to progress and why not go on a cup run to supplement our league form. Bradford reached the final not so long ago and what an occasion that is. It would be talked about for many years if that were to happen here. I am not saying we are going to do that but we would certainly love the chance to".
“When you have a squad the strength we believe we have then a cup run is essential to us to get the players minutes and keep everyone involved.