Town skipper Luke Chambers has revealed how he did his best to talk teenager Josh Emmanuel through his debut in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Brentford.
With central defender Christophe Berra suspended, manager Mick McCarthy opted to switch Chambers from his customary right-back role and replace him with 17-year-old Academy product Emmanuel, a one-time West Ham schoolboy, who only signed his first pro contract 48 hours before the Griffin Park clash.
Chambers said: "I’ll help anyone but I think Josh has got everything to be a top player. How he’s only 17 and the size he is I’ll never know. It’s probably because he never stops eating!
"He’s got tremendous talent, he’s physically up for it and ready to play, and he did himself no harm on Saturday.
"I thought he was tremendous and I was always going to be there to help him. I think he understood that and if there’s anything I can do to help improve him I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
The powerfully-built Emmanuel was one of four players making their first appearances for Town from the start on Saturday and Chambers was one of many critics of the playing surface in West London, pointing out: "It wasn’t great, not the nicest.
"They had painted it green and with every touch it came up. But we dealt with their threat very well. They had a lot of possession early on but the way we go about our jobs we are a difficult team to break down. We didn’t give too many chances away, especially in the first 75 minutes, and it was all very positive.
"A lot was made about them having a lot of changes but we had four debutants starting the game and another two coming on. The boys who started for the first time for us did absolutely brilliantly.
"We had two 17-year-olds, Josh and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, on the right-hand side so between them they were just four years older than me.
"They both did very well and as for the boys on the left — Ryan Fraser made an immediate impact and there was Jonas [Knudsen] with his long throws, which will be a real weapon for us this season.
"There were a hell of a lot of positives and we look like we can score goals, we carry a threat and we’ve got pace. There are a lot of things to look forward to and we can’t wait to get back out again and play against Stevenage.”
Tonight’s Capital One Cup first round tie could be a banana skin for Town, no strangers to first round cup exits in recent years, including a KO blow delivered by Stevenage at their own ground in 2013 when they triumphed 2-0.
Chambers admitted: "We found it tough when we played them two years ago at their place. It was a difficult game and we know it’s not going to be easy.
"There has been a change of manager and they had a difficult result to take at the weekend. The gaffer is making changes and it’s another game we should be looking forward to as a chance to get back on the winning road.
"It’s a long time since we had a good cup run but why can’t it be this season? We’re looking forward to it and we’ll be giving everything we can to get ourselves into the next round.”
Stevenage are managed by ex-England striker Teddy Sheringham and Chambers recalled the one and only occasion when he found himself up against someone who will be remembered for his exploits on behalf of a host of top clubs.
Chambers remembered: "I played against him when I was 17 and at Northampton. He was at Portsmouth and they battered us 5-2. I got his shirt — it was one of my first starts as a player — and that’s the only time I’ve come across him.
"It was a rarity for me because I’ve never really collected shirts. I never saw the point — I’m not going to put them up on the wall and I’m not one to organise everything so I don’t even know where half of them are at the minute.
"I’m sure he will do well in management. He’s had his apprenticeship at West Ham as a coach and I wish him all the best after Tuesday.”
Finally, tonight’s game could be decided in a penalty shoot-out if the teams are still locked together after 90 minutes and a further half-hour of extra time, and Chambers will happily put himself on the spot if required.
He said: "I’ll take one, yes. The last time I was involved in a penalty shoot-out was for Nottingham Forest against Notts County and we beat them.
"I took one then — put it in the top corner — so if it does come around I’ll be ready, as I’m sure all the boys will be. They will be confident. We don’t want to be out of the cup — we want to win another game to move us nicely into Saturday’s against Sheffield Wednesday.”