Sheffield Wednesday: Carvalhal retains a sense of perspective in defeat

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal prior to the Capital One Cup, Quarter Final at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 1, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Stoke. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

A raucous 4,500 travelling contingent of Wednesdayites travelled to the Potteries and despite seeing their side going down 2-0, Carvalhal insists that they should be happy at the cup joy-ride which they have witnessed this season.

Fine victories over Arsenal and Newcastle United have represented a rewind to better times for the Owls, while whetting the appetite for further high-profile encounters as the Owls seek to return to what they consider to be their rightful place at the top table of English football in time for their 150th anniversary.

On his side’s 2-0 exit at the Potters, Carvahal said: “I’m unhappy because we are out but I am happy about what we did in the whole competition.

“We put out two strong teams in Arsenal and Newcastle and I must congratulate my players - and our fans, who were amazing again. Our best player was the fans.”

Meanwhile, Stoke chief Mark Hughes believes his side are capable of going all the way in the Capital One Cup this season.

The Potters booked their place in the semi-finals with Tuesday’s comfortable win with Hughes talking up Stoke’s prospects as they look to emulate the run that last saw them play in the League Cup semis - the 1971-72 campaign in which they won the competition.

Asked if he felt his men were capable of claiming the trophy this time, the Stoke manager, whose side progrssed through goals from Ibrahim Afellay and substitute Phil Bardsley, said: “Yes, I think so.

“Southampton we beat a couple of weeks back, last season we did the double over Everton and beat Manchester City, and Liverpool, I seem to recall, we beat in the last game of the season, so we have got a chance.”

The Welshman - whose team defeated holders Chelsea in the previous round - added: “It’s the first time we have got to a League Cup semi-final in 40-odd years, so it’s been a long time, but now we’re there it’s a case of trying to get to the final.

“We’d love to do that and if we can get silverware, all well and good. We’d be delighted if we could.”