Patrick Vieira planning to use first-team players for Oxford EFL Cup tie as Palace boss targets to go “as far as we can” in the competition
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says he is planning to predominantly use first-team players in their EFL Cup second-round tie against League One side Oxford United.
The Eagles travel to the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night after recording their first victory of the Premier League season against Aston Villa on the weekend.
Vieira’s side, which heavily featured first-team players, were knocked out of the EFL Cup last season in the second round after a 1-0 defeat away to Watford, thanks to Ashely Fletcher’s 89th-minute strike.
Karl Robinson’s Oxford side are 19th in the League One table and have only won once this season.
“Most of the first team players will play,” explained Vieira of his plans for Tuesday night.
“We will compete and want to go as far as we can – that is why we have training tomorrow.
“It’s important for us to recover properly because there is a game we want to win. Winning games builds confidence, and we need to keep going like that.
“When you look at the two performances against Liverpool and Arsenal, we had two good performances, but we didn’t win those games.
“Today [against Aston Villa], we had a good performance, and we managed to win. It’s important for us to maintain that.
“After a performance such as that, every single one of them will want to play again.
“It’s important to maintain that confidence and belief – the best way to do that is for players to play games. We are at the start of the season, so there is no tiredness.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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