Norwich City supporters across Norfolk had hoped for a fixture more interesting, fresh and unpredictable than their fifth trip to Vicarage Road in less than four years. In Hertfordshire the groan was undoubtedly similar, if slightly quieter thanks to its lack of a Tuesday night pilgrimage.
Add to the mix the fact that the competition is far down the Canaries’ list of priorities as they attempt to mount a Championship promotion charge with a new head coach and 11 senior summer signings, and those hardy 1,700Â supporters making the trip could be forgiven for feeling slightly indifferent.
But for a small set of individuals this encounter – otherwise not much more than a footnote in the ‘2025–26 Norwich City F.C. season’ Wikipedia page – could be career defining.
For those currently on the fringes of Liam Manning’s senior squad, those envious or angry as they watched an opening day defeat from the Carrow Road stands, this could be a final chance to show exactly what they’ve got in yellow and green. There are only three other fixtures left before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Players in that group who have unequivocally decided that their futures lie elsewhere might not get a bigger shop window – ones still hoping to force their way back into the frame are unlikely to get many minutes in the league. In both cases the incentive is there to make an impression on Manning.
1,700 City fans will travel to Vicarage Road (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
Emiliano Marcondes, for example, is one who has flitted between useful aid and definite departure going into the promotion push. After speculation and an openness on all sides to do a deal early in the window, a quietening of that noise leaves tonight’s game an important one for him.
So too his ally Anis Ben Slimane, whose £1.2million permanent arrival looks foolishly premature in the context that City could have waited until this summer to trigger it and that he’s missed their last two matchday squads. If he’s handed a place in it against the Hornets then that will be the time to prove his worth.
Oscar Schwartau is under little threat of a summer exit after his new boss singled him out for praise in his unveiling press conference. But the early promise of that unprompted eulogy has faded as attacking signing after attacking signing arrives and he’s subsequently knocked down the pecking order. Watford gives him a chance to push himself back up it.
At the back there are already plenty of names needing a boost: Shane Duffy will hope to increase the level of Championship interest in him, Brad Hills ditto while Ruairi McConville aims to avoid another season of bench sitting and deputising at a crucial stage of his development.
Matej Jurasek is also under pressure to deliver, having been deemed unworthy of a slot in Manning’s best 20 players for the opening day defeat to Millwall. He showed what he could do in a pre-season opener against Northampton, but can he do so with the slightly higher stakes of the League Cup?
Head coach Liam Manning left Matej Jurasek out of his side for Saturday’s meeting with Millwall (Image: Adam Harvey/Newsquest)
Even the likes of Marcelino Nunez, who are undoubtedly among City’s starting options but have also been blighted by the swathe of transfer business completed by sporting director Ben Knapper, will want to either resurrect their claims or earn moves away.
Second-choice goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw has a chance to really provide competition between the sticks, with Kellen Fisher and Ben Chrisene waiting in the wings at full-back.
The sheer number of players for whom this is a big occasion spells out how bloated the squad is ahead of a cull that will likely come as the window nears its end. Those hoping to avoid it will be keen to prove their worth, the others looking for the best possible new home on the other side.
Consider that and what felt like a rather dull follow-up to Saturday’s big occasion has higher stakes than readily apparent.