David Cuffley Manager Paul Lambert will go back to the scene of one of his big European nights as Norwich City bid to pull off a Carling Cup shock against Premier League opponents. The Canaries' reward for beating Gillingham 4-1 in round one on Tuesday is a second round trip to Blackburn Rovers in the week starting August 23.
David Cuffley
Manager Paul Lambert will go back to the scene of one of his big European nights as Norwich City bid to pull off a Carling Cup shock against Premier League opponents.
The Canaries' reward for beating Gillingham 4-1 in round one on Tuesday is a second round trip to Blackburn Rovers in the week starting August 23.
Lambert was in the Celtic side that won 2-0 at Ewood Park in a UEFA Cup tie in November 2002, a result that completed a 3-0 aggregate second round victory - with Martin O'Neill's team going on to reach the final.
Last night's draw represents a tough assignment for City with a long midweek trip to face Sam Allardyce's Rovers outfit hard on fans and players alike, but Lambert is relishing the challenge of pitting his wits against one of English football's most experienced managers.
He said: “It's a fantastic draw for us, they are a top Premier League side and we're going to have to go there and play in that environment.
“It's been a while since the club has been in the Premier League so we'll enjoy going to a Premier League ground. I've been there before and it's a terrific place to play football, with a fantastic pitch. It'll be a tough game but I'm looking forward to it.”
It will be the Canaries' first trip to Blackburn since the Premiership campaign of 2004-5, when goals from Paul Dickov (2) and Morten Gamst Pedersen gave the hosts a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The two sides' only previous League Cup meeting came in October 1992, when City lost 2-0 at Ewood Park in the third round, a few weeks after losing 7-1 on the same ground in the Premier League. Alan Shearer and David May were the scorers.
The date of the tie and ticket details have yet to be confirmed.
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