League Cup quarter-final build-up – Crosby says “the underdogs don’t always lose”…

Port Vale manager Andy Crosby says that despite their underdog status, Vale will be looking to cause an upset when they play their League Cup quarter-final tie on Tuesday night.

The Valiants start the game as second-favourites against Championship side Middlesbrough but Crosby says the team need to concentrate on events on the pitch.

This club has a rich history of beating big teams. You can win. Things have to go right for you but we can compete in this game…

He told the media: “We can’t get involved in playing the occasion. It’s a football match against a team who are higher up than we are. A Championship football team who have got a rich history, who won on Saturday, who are on a good run of form with a  squad full of good players.”

Crosby says the result isn’t a foregone conclusion saying: “There’s always an upset. The Underdogs don’t always lose.

“We’ve won our last two League games which obviously increases the confidence of the players. The fans have seen us score six goals in the last two home games. They’ve seen us put in, in my opinion the best performance of the season on Saturday.

“The last time I can remember that atmosphere was when we played Swindon in the play-off semi-final. The fans created an atmosphere which put us on the front foot and we need that on Tuesday night.”

Asked about his team’s chances he said: “We’re going to have play at our best and Middlesbrough are probably going to be some way off their best but we have a chance. I want them to play the game. I don’t want them (the players) to be overcome by the occasion. This club has a rich history of beating big teams. You can win. Things have to go right for you but we can compete in this game.

“This is a one-off game. A chance to get into the last four of the competition. We deserve to get to this stage. Both clubs know what the rewards are.”