MICHAEL Carrick says his players fully appreciate and understand the importance of Middlesbrough's "special" Carling Cup success in 2004 - as his players prepare to face Chelsea tonight looking to write their names in the the club's history books.

Boro have made it to the last four of the League Cup for the first time since they lifted the trophy in Cardiff 20 seasons ago, but Carrick and his players won't settle for what they've already achieved.

The head coach says he's "realistic" and isn't yet allowing himself to think about whether his Championship side could actually pull of a stunning repeat of their 2004 success. And he knows Boro are big underdogs against Mauricio Pochettino's Premier League big spenders - but the head coach and his players are relishing what has the makings of being one of the great Riverside nights.

"This is the type of game that doesn’t come around very often," said Carrick.

"The FA Cup was a big occasion and a really good game to be involved in, but it was the first round of the competition for us. This one is different, so much work has gone into it, how many times will the boys find themselves in the semi finals of a major competition throughout their careers? Some will, some maybe won’t. It’s an unbelievable opportunity and one we’re really relishing.

"Winning this competition is a major part of the history of the club and was a massive, massive success, so I'm fully aware of what that means to the supporters and so many people connected to the club. That's what you can achieve if things come together.

"From the club's point of view, that (2004) is a huge, huge day for the club and I remember it, yes. Gareth (Southgate) was playing, Juninho was playing. I've seen the pictures up around here and I know what it means to people.

"I've said it a few times, that's the impact football can have, you can create special, special memories and special days for people.

"Listen, we're realistic. I'm not looking and thinking this is our big, big chance of winning something. This is our next opportunity of trying to go through this next game and then further along the line, something might happen. But we mustn't get too carried away just yet.

"2004 is a massive part of the club’s history and it should be celebrated. Going into this game, it’s purely about what we can do, what the boys can do, what they need to do. There’s the magic that that brings, we’ll take one step at a time."

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Chelsea are stuttering through their Premier League season and are 10th in the table but they head for the Riverside on the back of a three-match winning run and thumped Boro's rivals Preston in the FA Cup last time out.

Carrick said: "We have watched them a lot. They’re very dangerous. You can see his (Pochettino's) ideas coming across more and more, individuals are starting to blossom in a certain way.

"He’s a top coach, he’s proved that over a long time. His teams are very hard to play against, that’s the challenge we face."