Reaction to Carling Cup Triumph

Palmer: "The players have made me and Peter (Shirtliff) very proud, we've been pleased with them all season, we are a young squad, and we are a bit niave and we are going to make mistakes, but that is what we are capable of. I take responsibility for the result at Peterborough, i should have made changes in the game, look at Dawson and Birchall, they went away for International duty last week, and they are going to be tired, but i talked to Peter and we agreed that you shouldn't change a winning side, maybe we should have changed that, but you learn things over a season. I'm proud of all the players, and i have been since the start of the season, and they got their rewards tonight, and i do think they have been unlucky at times this season, particulary Rushden & Diamonds here, where we battered them. I thought Baptise in midfield for his 1st game of the season was outstanding, and Giles Coke has taken a bit of critisim of me and he's gone out there and played like he can play. I wanted a bit of steel in the side, last year we kept 17 clean sheets, and i want to do that again. I'm pleased for the chairman whose given me a lot of backing, and everyone at the club, it's good when things turn out this way."

Stoke boss Johan Boskamp said: "The best team won and we have no excuses. "The penalties were disappointing but no matter how hard you work on them in training it is not the same as with a crowd. "I do not think the extra time will affect us on Saturday (against Crystal Palace). It is up to the players to see what they can do. But if they play like that it will not be possible to win."

Carlton was talking to STAGSWORLD straight after the penalty drama.