This season's Carling Cup 1st round draw has seen all four South West sides drawn at home as they bid to reach the second round. A win could potentially see them paired with one of the Premier League sides who didn't qualify for Europe last season as well as Burnley and Hull City who both received byes.
Plymouth Argyle face a Notts County side that will be looking to put the disappointment of an opening day 3-0 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town behind them. After two first round exits in the last two years, the Pilgrims haven't won a League Cup tie since the second round of the 2007-08 competition when they beat Doncaster Rovers 2-0. In contrast, confidence is likely to be high amongst the Pilgrims squad following their opening day win over Southampton.
It is also worth noting that Argyle have reached the Semi-Finals of the competition (1965 & 1974) twice and the team that made it in 1974 featured current Head Coach Paul Mariner.
Another of Mariner's former sides will be battling it out in Devon as Ipswich Town travel to St James Park to face Exeter City. The Grecians haven't won a League Cup tie since 1993 and it would be one of the shocks of the round if they were to overcome Roy Keane's side.
Having reached the final of the League Cup several times as a player with Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, Keane will be looking to do well in the competition. He will also be celebrating his 39th birthday on the day of the tie.
Terry Skiverton will be looking for the first League Cup win of his managerial career as Yeovil Town play host to Crystal Palace at Huish Park. The Glovers gained a renowned reputation as FA Cup giantkillers during their non-league days, but in their last two League Cup ties they have conceded nine goals. This includes a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Norwich City, which came days after the Canaries were thrashed 7-1 on the opening day of the campaign against Colchester.
Torquay United manager Paul Buckle will also be looking for his first League Cup win as manager of the Gulls as they entertain Reading at Plainmoor. During his reign at Plainmoor, Buckle has guided Torquay to the FA Trophy final and enjoyed a number of successful FA Cup runs and will be looking to pull off a shock against the Royals.
The Gulls have been overdue a good run in this competiton, the last time they won a tie came against Bournemouth in the 2001-02 season at the Avenue Stadium, Dorchester. Their reward for beating the Cherries was a trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur, which saw them give a good account of themselves before losing 2-0.
