Dean Smith: We can write our names in history

Walsall can make history by beating Chelsea in the Capital One Cup, boss Dean Smith believes.

The Saddlers will take on the reigning Premier League Champions at a packed Banks's Stadium a week today in the third round of the competition.

Before then Smith's side have to navigate Saturday's trip to Peterborough where a win could see them return to the top of the League One table.

And with Chelsea surprisingly languishing at the wrong end of the Premier League, Smith believes all the ingredients are in place for a cup shock.

"Hopefully when we play them we will be top of the table while they haven't had the start they would have hoped for," he said.

"That is one of the ingredients that tends to go into a cup shock.

"We are doing well in our league and we have knocked two Championship teams out of the Capital One Cup.

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"Cup shocks haven't been too common at this football club and now my players have the chance to make a bit of history for themselves and the club.

"That's what football is all about, especially cup football."

Smith will tell his players to make the most of the opportunity they have earned by beating Nottingham Forest and Brighton to clinch a place in the third round.

"The game will be a great occasion with a full house at the Banks's," said Smith, who was at Stamford Bridge tonight to see Chelsea take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League.

"These opportunities present themselves when you do well. My players have done well by beating Forest and Brighton to get this far.

"This is another opportunity for them. The players know that and they are looking forward to it. I have got no fear at all.

"I have no doubt we will equip ourselves well."