WITH Watford being drawn out of the hat against Southend yesterday, Tommy Smith welcomed the idea of another cup run this season.

However, if the local lad ends up losing his place in the starting line up to a Watford star of the future, then he will be only too happy to step aside.

Speaking ahead of the tie and also looking back on Tuesday's 3-0 win over Gillingham, he said: "I'm looking forward to it, it was a great result on Tuesday in the cup and we'll be looking for more of the same.

"We had a great win at Molineux on the opening day and then to win again in the cup has given the place a real boost. I think it's important to keep the momentum going. The cup fixtures enable some of the lads to have a rest and gives some of the others a chance to play competitive football.

"We've always been good at bringing young players through and bringing them on and the cups are a great opportunity for us to do that."

More recently, the Carling Cup, and to an extent even the FA Cup, has seen managers of the 'Big Guns' fielding completely different squads to that which would normally line up in a Premiership fixture. In the past, this has been the case right up until the semi-final or even the final stage, but this is something that the Watford midfielder disagrees with.

"If I was a kid who had got us all the way to the semi-final or the final, then I'd want the right to keep my place in the starting line up. I admired Arsene Wenger in last year's League Cup final for sticking with the squad that had got him that far.

"His side pushed Chelsea all the way and only ended up losing 2-1 against a side of superstars. Despite the loss, he could still walk away with his head held high,

"On too many occasions the managers use the kids for the early rounds and then bring in the big hitters when the glamour ties come around. I've never really thought that was fair. Although I dare say the temptation of putting out your strongest side in order to bring some silverware home is all too appealing and no doubt the fans would want their best shot at victory, so I can see how it works both ways.

"It's great for a young lad's career for them to have the experience of playing against the big clubs, even if a few of the top name players aren't playing. It's still at an impressive stadium against some of the world's best players, even if it wouldn't necessarily be the strongest side that the opposition could put out."

For Smith, the cup competitions throw up a mixture of emotions and memories, some good and some not so happy.

"I've played in three FA Cup semi finals, two with Watford and one with Sunderland; unfortunately I've never made it through to the final.

"It's important to have a good run in the cup. Promotion to the Premiership is the priority, but it's always nice to do well in the trophy competitions because it gives the club a lift. It was buzzing here last season when we got to the semi final of the FA Cup and it would be great if we could have more of the same this year."

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