Pellegrini fears a Hammering
Cocu is continuing to give kids a chance as the Rams eye promotion and another memorable run in the Carabao Cup this season after they knocked out Manchester United last year.
Homegrown youngster Lee Buchanan, 18, is the latest teenager to step off the production line, having scored the winner at Scunthorpe on debut in the last round to set up tonight’s clash with bitter rivals Nottingham Forest.
Ex-Barcelona midfielder Cocu has brought stardust to Pride Park yet Buchanan says the new manager is down to earth and is committed to the club’s philosophy of producing young players.
Buchanan said: “The gaffer is very good with the senior players and the youth as well. He’s not too fussed about your age just as long as you are playing well.
“With the teams he’s played for and the number of international caps, you know he has had a great career, has great experience.
“You know whatever he does on the training pitch, he knows what he’s talking about because he’s been there and done it. He is really good with advice, very approachable if you need anything, and he’s always there if you have any questions on training and off the pitch as well. “He has got us playing good football, very technical, likes us to keep the ball and the players are all buying into it and enjoying it.
As a young lad, they tell you there’s a pathway, the history of the club is good at giving kids a chance.
“It took a little while to get there but there’s now quite a few of us at the same age coming through at the same time. I grew up as a Derby fan and it does make it feel more special.” Buchanan knows exactly what tonight’s cup tie with Forest means
“It’s so real now that it’s only a couple of days away so it makes it even more important to get the win. “A local derby against your rivals, you always want to play the best you can and get the best result.” Buchanan clearly did enough in the first round to convince Cocu of his ability, and he started in Saturday’s draw with West Brom in the Championship.
After earning his big break, promotion is in Buchanan’s sights this season. “It’s got to be with a club like this,” he said. “We were so close last season that it makes it that bit more in terms of wanting to make you go and achieve it, get into the Premier League and make sure we get the results.” The defender joined Derby at 14 having grown up supporting his local club while also admiring Rio Ferdinand. And he says the dressing room is “buzzing” about the arrival of another Manchester United legend, with Wayne Rooney set to join as a player-coach.
He added: “We can’t wait for him to come in January and I’m sure he’ll be a good influence. He had a great career as well so hopefully he can help all us young lads have a good season.
“I really admired Rio Ferdinand when I was growing up. I liked how much he loved his club – he played not just for himself but for the team as well.” MANUEL Pellegrini is demanding his West Ham players avoid another cup humiliation tonight.
Last season’s 4-2 FA Cup defeat at League OneWimbledon left the Hammers red-faced.
And Newport under manager Michael Flynn have a formidable cup reputation.
The bottom-tier club knocked out Leicester, Middlesbrough and Leeds in cups over the last two seasons, and Pellegrini, above, said: “It is a very worrying game.We know this team beat Leicester and drew with Tottenham.
“We got experience of this last season with Wimbledon. So we must put all of our minds into it.” CHRIS WILDER has told his Sheffield United summer signings to seize their chance tonight.
The Blades manager is set to play Oli McBurnie, Ravel Morrison, Phil Jagielka and Ben Osborn against Blackburn – and he is banking on them all to catch the eye.
Wilder said: ”It’s important for those not in the team to get some minutes. We expect to go well in this cup whatever team we put out.”
NOTTM FOREST DERBY