Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez insists he will be giving the Carling Cup the respect he believes the competition deserves.
Sanchez made only three changes to the side that lost to Aston Villa at the weekend and the result was a 1-0 victory against League Two Shrewsbury.
Diomansy Kamara’s first goal for the club following his £6million move from West Brom was enough to give them the edge.
Sanchez said: “We fielded pretty much our first team as we are taking the cup seriously.
“We also travelled overnight so that our preparation was correct.
“This game was a potential banana skin but we controlled it. We kept a clean sheet and are through to the next round which is pleasing.”
Kamara settled Fulham’s nerves by heading sweetly into the corner in the 58th minute following a corner from Simon Davies.
The Senegal striker had seen an earlier effort come back off the bar following good work from David Healy.
Sanchez said: “It was good for Kamara to get off the mark. He has been close to doing so and that will be an important moment for him.
“I have to be pleased with the win as Shrewsbury are a good team and well organised.
“It is credit to their manager Gary Peters, who I know from our days together at Reading.”
Central defender Zat Knight was absent from the team as he is poised to move to Aston Villa.
“It is a deal that is good for him and us,” said Sanchez. “He is a Birmingham lad and Villa is his club.”
Shrewsbury should have equalised in the 83rd minute when Darren Kempson sent a free header wide of the post following a free-kick from Steve Leslie.
However Peters, who made seven changes to the side that lost to MK Dons at the weekend, was delighted at the way they went about their business.
He said: “There were a lot of players with a point to prove and they gave a good account of themselves.
“It was a tough game and we have got to take a lot of positives from the way we performed.
“The team worked their socks off and that is all you can ask of your players.”
