KEVIN KILBANE reckons Town’s future is in safe hands – or to be more precise, feet.
And the on-loan Hull man wants the club’s young stars like Anthony Pilkington and Lee Peltier to take up where they left off at Arsenal when Lee Clark’s side make a quick return to action at home to Carlisle tonight.
The latest clash with the Cumbrians – the fourth instalment in a five-part series which culminates with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern final second leg back at the Galpharm a week tomorrow – marks a return to the even more serious business of League I after Sunday’s enthralling FA Cup showdown.
Seasoned operator Kilbane remains hugely disappointed about missing out on a fourth-round replay against Arsene Wenger’s Premier League giants, who needed a controversial late penalty to clinch a 2-1 win.
But he believes the flair shown by the likes of Pilkington and Peltier – and the experience gained at the Emirates – will provide inspiration as third-placed Town chase a place in the Championship.
Wing ace Pilkington and Scouse star Peltier, who vacated his usual right-back berth to impress in midfield against Arsenal, are both contracted to 2014 after agreeing extensions.
And Republic of Ireland stalwart Kilbane, who at 33 has witnessed the emergence of a string of talents, has high hopes for the pair – plus a number of other Town players.
“Pilks and Pelts really stepped up to the plate, Gary Roberts impressed and Jack Hunt enjoyed a wonderful debut, and these are the lads who are the future of the club,” said Kilbane, with Town until the end of the season.
“They showed what they are all about and the challenge now, not just for them but for all of us, is to reproduce that kind of performance in the league.
“At the very least we want to ensure a top-six spot, but we are capable of automatic for sure.
“Brighton continue to go well at the top and Bournemouth had a good (2-1) win at Plymouth on Saturday, but we are on their coat tails, three points behind with a game in hand, and we’re desperate to put them under pressure and get into the top two.”
Brighton, fresh from knocking Championship side Watford out of the FA Cup, are at Bristol Rovers tonight while Bournemouth host Leyton Orient, whose reward for a 2-1 fourth-round win at Championship Swansea is a home fifth-round tie with Arsenal.
League I games: Tonight: Bournemouth v Swindon, Charlton v Colchester, Dagenham & Redbridge v Brentford, Exeter v Southampton, Town v Carlisle, Leyton Orient v Brighton, Oldham v Hartlepool, Peterborough v Sheffield Wed, Tranmere v Rochdale, Yeovil v Plymouth. Tomorrow: Bristol Rov v MK Dons, Notts Co v Walsall.
