With all the drama and publicity from the Premier League tonight's Carling Cup tie has had a low key build up. City's priority is on the League but personally I can never resist a cup competition and I hope we give it a good go this evening.
Malky will undoubtedly make changes, possibly even a whole team's worth.
With Joe Lewis, Mark Hudson, Matt Connolly, John Brayford, Declan John, Craig Noone, Joe Mason, Don Cowie, Jordan Mutch, Peter Odemwingie, Nicky Maynard there's an alternative Cardiff City XI from the side that started against Spurs.
Cardiff face a West Ham side that have lost their last two League games at home. Since the Hammers opening day victory over Cardiff they have drawn two and lost two of their next four games and are above Cardiff in the table on goal difference.
In the League Cup West Ham won at home to Cheltenham in round 2, Cardiff were winners away at Accrington Stanley.
MATCH FACTS (from the BBC)
Head-to-head
The two sides have met five times before in the League Cup, including in 1966, when West Ham won the two-legged semi-final 10-3 on aggregate and went on to lift the trophy.
West Ham have won the last four meetings with Cardiff in all competitions, including the Premier League meeting between the two sides in August.
West Ham
The Hammers have won eight of their last 10 League Cup matches played at Upton Park (W8, L2).
This match will be Sam Allardyce's 100th in charge of West Ham. His record so far is P99, W42, D27, L30
West Ham have not won any of their last four league matches (D2, L2).
Cardiff
Cardiff have won just one of their last seven away games in all competitions (W1, D4, L2).
The Welsh side have lost both their matches against London clubs so far this season.
They have won just one of their last 12 League Cup clashes against top-flight sides (including replays), with that victory (against Blackburn) coming on their way to reaching the 2012 final.
