Derby became the eighth Championship side to crash out of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday evening.

Though the Rams did not field a full strength team, neither did their opponents, Portsmouth. The League Two outfit ran out worthy winners on the night.

Derby were somewhat fortunate to share the spoils at Bolton on Saturday, and Wednesday’s performance at Fratton Park will have done little for their confidence.

The Rams will of course host Charlton on Saturday, and by contrast, the South Londoners will be in buoyant mood after two solid opening matches.

Many Addicks fans viewed the club’s start to the season with apprehension, some even believing their team would struggle to take a point in August.

They may now be more optimistic that Saturday’s game at the i-Pro is not a foregone conclusion.

Derby manager, Paul Clement, is in his first job as a manager, after assisting Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

It will be a learning curve for the talented Clement, as he assesses his squad. The Rams fans have high expectations and will be anticipating automatic promotion this season.

Charlton are amongst the favourites to go down, so the pressure will be on Clement in his opening home game. Guy Luzon my think it is an opportune time to be playing his opponents.

The draw for the second round of the Capital One Cup will take place after the televised tie at the Keepmoat, between Doncaster and Leeds, on Thursday evening.

The draw will again be seeded, with the Addicks amongst them.

They will not face one of the 12 Premier League clubs entering the competition at this stage, and of their 24 possible opponents, dependant on the Doncaster v Leeds result, 20 or 21 will be from Leagues One and Two.

It will give Charlton a good chance of progressing to the third round, when the Premier League giants enter.

The events of the last few days should have lifted the spirits of the Valley faithful, and they will be eagerly awaiting the draw.