MX23RW : Friday, March 29 10:51:21| >> :120:80099:80099:

James Chester hopes the win over Watford can help Stoke grow in confidence

James Chester hopes the win over Watford can help Stoke grow in confidence
© Reuters
The Potters won 3-1 at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night to reach the fourth round.

Stoke defender James Chester believes beating Watford in the Carabao Cup will breed confidence in the ranks of the Sky Bet Championship outfit.

The Potters won 3-1 at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night to reach the fourth round of the competition for the third successive year.

Nick Powell put the visitors ahead before Ashley Fletcher levelled – only for Sam Clucas and Josh Tymon to strike late on and send Stoke through.

Michael O'Neill's side sit fifth in the table but lost at beleaguered Derby at the weekend and Chester wants to build on the win at Watford to get back on track in the league.

"It's not an easy place to come, Watford came up comfortably from the Championship last season," he told Stoke City's in-house video service.

"I think it's important for the momentum of the club in general. We got a disappointing result at the weekend but we started the season really positively and it's important we are keeping up victories and keep improving on our performances."

Chester has yet to feature in the Championship for Stoke this season and has been restricted to appearing in cup games.

But the former Hull and Aston Villa centre-back feels the fringe players who were given their chance as six changes made by O'Neill cannot have harmed their prospects of forcing their way in.

"Hopefully, that is the advantage of having such a good squad," he said when asked if the team had given O'Neill food for thought.

"We started well this season so that'll be up to him who he picks but we showed that if we are needed, we are already."

It was a bittersweet evening for Rob Elliot – the experienced goalkeeper on the losing side as he made his long-awaited Watford debut.

The 35-year-old joined from Newcastle in January and has had to be patient for his opportunities, which could once again be limited following the Hornets' cup exit.

"I'm really proud," he told the club's official website.

"I've been here a while and not really had a chance because the lads have done so well.

"I haven't played in a long time and I've really missed it. I haven't just come here to be number three, I try and push the lads everyday in training. I was hoping for a little cup run but that wasn't to be.

"Stoke came here with a game plan and stuck to it well, but there were so many positives to take.

"It's just very disappointing with the result at the end because we did more than enough to win the game."

ID:464844:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4033:

Click here for more stories about James Chester

Click here for more stories about Stoke City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Watford manager Xisco Munoz on September 11, 2021
Read Next:
Xisco Munoz bemoans Watford's luck after 'incredible' Carabao Cup exit
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!