If anyone wishes to make a quip about the Johnstone Paints Trophy, don't do it within the hearing of Canary defender Michael Spillane.
For as the Canaries prepare to make their debut in the oft-derided competition with tonight's first round home clash with League One rivals Brentford, so Spillane will � with some justification � defend the 'JPT' to the hilt.
He has, after all, a Wembley winners medal sat on his mantelpiece � something that few of his Canary team-mates can boast.
One, of course, can � his big pal Chrissy Martin after the famed 'Luton Two' helped The Hatters win last season's competition in front of 40,000-odd Luton supporters.
This particular 'Road To Wembley' might look like a particularly unappealing footpath on nights like these, but the destination and the prize remains the same.
“Obviously some people don't look at it as a big trophy,” said the Republic of Ireland Under-19 star, ahead of this evening's re-match with the Bees.
“But when you're in the semi-final and have got a trip to Wembley to look forward to, that's when it suddenly becomes a big trophy. It's a good trophy and I'm looking forward to playing in it again.”
The Hatters' JPT triumph was secured via a thrilling 3-2 win over Scunthorpe United in front of 55,000 fans at Wembley; Martin grabbed Luton's opener; Spillane played the full two-hours at right-back.
It was, he said, the day of his footballing life. It was also, it appears, the night of his footballing life as Mick Harford allowed his players the chance to celebrate.
“Last year at Luton we had Brentford as well in the first round of the JPT and there weren't a lot of people there, but as you start getting through the rounds and it starts getting closer everyone starts to think: 'Hang on a minute, we can get to Wembley here�”
And what a day awaits.
“It was wicked,” he said, simply. “It was one of the best days of my football career � by a mile.
“The day � and the night after � was great. It was a great day and a great achievement,” said Spillane, as 40,000 Hatters fans reached for the party button. The suspicion remains that should the Canaries find themselves within sight of Wembley Way, tickets might be rather more hard to come by than for tonight's JPT opener.
“Luton took about 40,000 of the 55,000 that were there,” said the Canary Academy product.
“The atmosphere was wicked and if Norwich get there, then I'm sure they'll bring just as many.”
With City boss Paul Lambert promising further changes tonight as he takes another voyage of discovery in terms of just what depth of squad Bryan Gunn has left him, Spillane could yet feature at either centre-half or right-back after sitting out Saturday's win at Hartlepool following his mid-week, Carling Cup dismissal against Sunderland � the scars of which are probably likely to last longer on the face of on-loan keeper Ben Alnwick than they will on Spillane's disciplinary record.
“At the time I was really surprised when I got sent off,” said Spillane, as Fraizer Campbell took a tumble on the edge of the City box � straight into the face of the on-coming Alnwick.
“But seeing it back on the video, I can see why it was given. It was just one of those things; some refs would give it, some wouldn't.
“And I did say 'Sorry!' to Ben, but he was alright. Though when I saw his face after the game I felt a bit guilty � it's just one of them things!”
Who Spillane lines up with tonight may well depend on just what happens in the final five hours of this summer's transfer window.
Lambert was promising to play a waiting game on both Wes Hoolahan and Gary Doherty both of whom you sense are sat in the shop window as we speak; as they were over the weekend when they missed the trip to Victoria Park.
Alnwick, likewise, could be off elsewhere � a decision that rests with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp as he looks to wheel and deal with the best of them.
The one, apparently, going nowhere is Darel Russell. With both Matt Gill and Owain Tudur Jones sidelined, he comes back in from the cold and into the midfield reckoning. Goran Maric is, likewise, expected to get his first run out under Lambert's charge.
At least there will be no late nights; the JPT doesn't do extra-time. It will be straight to penalties if the two sides are locked level after normal time.
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