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Capital One Cup: Swindon plan to attack Chelsea in tonight's tie at the Country Ground

The League One side play a passing style of football

Pete Evans
Tuesday 24 September 2013 12:13 BST
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Swindon will not alter their eye-catching playing style despite coming up against one of the favourites for the Capital One Cup in Chelsea, according to manager Mark Cooper.

It means a sold-out Country Ground and the Sky Sports audience will get to witness Cooper's brand of passing football that he has unitised since being handed the reigns this summer against Jose Mourinho's star-studded line-up.

Their thrilling 3-2 victory over rivals Bristol City on Saturday was the latest in a string of impressive displays from a young squad and, despite the challenge that awaits from Juan Mata and co, Cooper will be sticking with what he knows.

"We want to go out and show what we're all about, which is trying to play football, get forward, score goals and be exciting," he said.

"We've worked on that, that's what we're going to try to do and make it the best game and best spectacle possible.

"Of course we can't go all guns blazing like we probably do on a Saturday, we have to be a bit more conservative, but we can't alter the style of play because that would be a disservice to the players we've got."

The former Tamworth manager will be without two of his attacking talents in Ryan Mason (thigh) and Ryan Harley (medial ligaments) but Tottenham loanee and England Under-20 international Alex Pritchard is available again after suspension.

Right-back Nathan Byrne will sit out the third game of his three-match ban and while Cooper's squad will certainly be stretched his opposite number looks set to unleash a number of his big names.

The Portuguese has already confirmed that Mata will start while the likes of Michael Essien, David Luiz, Ryan Bertrand and Cesar Azpilicueta are all expected to feature.

And Swindon captain Darren Ward says no matter which internationals end up lining up against the Sky Bet League One side, they cannot afford to be distracted.

"The concentration part of it is really important," he said.

"You can be sidetracked for many reasons - there are a lot more press there, the TV is there, there are a lot more fans - there are a lot of reasons why you can be distracted so concentration is very important.

"It's not going to be easy but, like every game, we're going to approach it properly. We'll do what we do best, it's a great test for all of us against one of the best teams in the world."

PA

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