SIMON Francis says reaching the League Cup quarter-finals with Cherries was better than being involved in one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition.

Francis came off the bench and played his part as Eddie Howe’s men booked a place in the last eight with a deserved 2-1 win over Premier League West Brom yesterday evening.

It was another champagne moment for last season’s player of the year who helped former club Southend dump out holders Manchester United at the same stage in 2006.

Francis and current Cherries team-mate Darryl Flahavan both starred as the Shrimpers set up a quarter-final with Spurs after keeping out the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Freddy Eastwood’s goal settled the tie at Roots Hall before Jermain Defoe’s extra-time winner ended Southend’s League Cup adventure – which had started at Dean Court – at White Hart Lane.

Francis told the Daily Echo: “Without a doubt, this is better. At Southend, we were in the Championship at the time and weren’t doing very well. It was great to beat Manchester United but we ended up getting relegated that season.

“We are in there with some top teams and are two rounds from Wembley. The manager touched on it in his team-talk before the West Brom game and mentioned about Bradford getting to the final a couple of years ago. There is no reason why a team like us can’t do that and that is what we will be trying to do.

“West Brom had a strong team out and there were a lot of lads with a lot of Premier League experience. But I thought we matched them throughout. They probably weren’t up to the pressing and high tempo we play at and maybe didn’t expect it. We have shown both this season and last that we can match teams above us.

“I think the League Cup is a welcome distraction. The manager changed the team and the lads who came in were excellent and will be knocking on his door wanting to play. The lads who have been playing in the league have been doing excellently as well and we are on a great run.

"It is a good time to be in and around the squad because the manager knows that if there is an injury or suspension there are always players who can step in.”

Francis, who has helped Cherries win seven of their past eight games, added: “I would imagine some of the supporters are pinching themselves and so are some of the lads!

“It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks and we have hit the ground running since the international break. The manager made no secret about how hard we worked over the fortnight and we wanted to come out of the traps with a real passion and drive in the games.

“Having won in the style we did at Birmingham and then winning against a Premier League team, I think the confidence will be sky high going into the weekend.”