The first round of the League Cup usually takes place as a midweek fixture early in the season. A change of plan this year has seen it scheduled for the weekend before the opening Championship game. I like that idea, it’s a competitive fixture rather than a friendly, but one that most clubs won’t be that fussed if they lose.
I was joined by my daughter Soph, as well as Tom and Harry. She had come along to the box the previous weekend for the Espanyol friendly and enjoyed it, so made a quick return. Before that, it might be fifteen years or more since Soph was last in the Riverside and Espanyol was probably the first time I’ve been to a game with both of my kids since Eindhoven.
She was soon back in the swing of things, probably helped by us opting to sit down in the North Stand rather than having to stand up all game at the other end.
The change of schedule seemed to work as despite it being a Friday night game and live on ITV1, more than eighteen thousand fans turned up. There’s a bit of a buzz around the club at the moment with the new signings. For this game our two new Americans started as did Will Lankshear.
All of them look as if they will be regular starters and that’s what I want from a new signing. Forget about signing players for the bench, that can be filled by those displaced from the first eleven by the new fellas.
We played well and clinched the victory with a well taken goal from Will Lankshear. It’s early days, but he really does look like someone who might solve our problem with converting the many chances that we create. If he does, then promotion is a distinct possibility.
Trail of the Lion King 
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