Alan Curbishley hopes his side can continue their goalscoring exploits from midweek in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday when Blackburn Rovers visit the Boleyn Ground.
After his side eventually clinched a 4-1 extra-time win against Macclesfield Town, the manager is aware Paul Ince's men will offer a sterner test and is looking for an improvement from his team. "I was looking for a better performance against Macclesfield, but certainly we have got to look for a better performance against Blackburn," he said. "They have demonstrated over the last three or four years they have been a steady, really competitive side in the Premier League. I think we have got a big game for all sorts of reasons at the weekend."
After the youngsters impressed on Wednesday, several senior players could return on Saturday. George McCartney and Craig Bellamy are in contention and Mark Noble is available after sitting out midweek with a one-match suspension. The manager was also delighted to see Carlton Cole show his fitness after coming off in last Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City while Scott Parker, Matthew Etherington and Lucas Neill will be fresh after being rested against Macclesfield.
While no doubt being pleased to key players available again, Curbishley was keen to acknowledge impact of Academy products Zavon Hines and Kyel Reid during the second-round Carling Cup win. "In all fairness I think the young lads pulled us out [on Wednesday]. They came on with fresh legs and fresh minds if you like and I was pleased for the two boys getting their goals. I thought Coley coming on looked sharp so we move on and it will be a totally different game at the weekend," he said.
Having played for and now managed West Ham United, Curbishley knows how passionate the Boleyn Ground fans can be and wants his team "to give them a bit more". He added: "I have come to watch games at Upton Park and at West Ham when the fans are behind you they are fantastic. I look at some of the times, especially in that [2006/07] run-in, where the crowd were fantastic; absolutely on a different level. They are West Ham fans, they want to see their team do well and win. So we have got to give them a bit more."
Former Hammers midfielder Ince returns to the Boleyn Ground as Blackburn manager - meaning Curbishley will have gone head to head with a trio of former Manchester United players in the first three top-flight games this season. "It is quite interesting the three teams we have faced, Wigan, Man City and now Blackburn are all managed by three old Manchester United players. Perhaps they are three similar characters in the way they set about it and you know that he [Ince] will be learning every day. He has had a decent start and we look forward to the game."