Defender urges team-mates not to take Newport lightly
LIAM Ridgewell has urged his team-mates to take tonight’s second-round Capital One Cup clash with Newport County AFC (ko 8pm) as seriously as the quarter-finals or beyond.The Baggies left-back knows what it takes to win the League Cup, having lifted the trophy with Blues in 2011.
And he insists Steve Clarke’s men will not be taking their sixth-placed League Two opposition lightly at The Hawthorns.
“I think everyone looks at those first games and maybe thinks they are easy - but they're not,” said Ridgewell.
“You have got to take them as seriously as when you reach the quarter-finals or semi-finals.
“I’ve gone all the way to winning the League Cup and it’s a great cup that takes you to Wembley.
“We’ll be taking it seriously – and I’m sure the gaffer will be as well.”
And the 29-year-old defender admits the cup competitions are realistically Albion’s best chance of winning silverware.
“It's definitely important,” he added.
“I won it for Blues when nobody gave us a chance.
“It's a big thing and when you get there it's the best day of your career, especially if you win it.
“It's obviously out of the question for us to win the Premier League or get to the Champions League, so obviously it's something we need to look to do well in.
“It's good to get a medal - it's a good competition to be in.
“If some other teams don't take it seriously maybe it gives us a chance.
“It will be a tough game against Newport and we need to make sure we do well in the game and get past them.”