Southend United skipper Kevin Maher today admitted the Shrimpers were relishing the prospect of facing West Ham in the opening round of the Carling Cup.
Looking for a knock-out - Southend manager Steve Tilson is looking forward to squaring up to local rivals West Ham in the Carling Cup first round Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Blues were paired with their illustrious East London neighbours yesterday and Maher revealed the tie, to be played during the week of August 23, had also helped boost the club's pre season training.
"It's given all the lads a real lift and an extra incentive to put even more into training at the moment," said the former Tottenham Hotspur trainee.
"Obviously the league is our priority and we're all psyched up to have a real go at it this season.
"We want to finish as high up the table and the West Ham game is just a bonus.
"Obviously we're all looking forward to it and it's a very exciting game for us.
"It's not that far to go either so I'm sure we will take thousands of fans and they will really cheer us on -- it's going to be a really good night."
Maher, the club's longest serving player, added he was hopeful of causing an unexpected upset but admitted it was going to be tough for his League Two outfit.
"It was probably the hardest possible draw we could have had," he said.
Published Friday July 9, 2004
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