FA Cup 6th Round: Barnsley v Chelsea Match Preview
The FA Cup
By dixon9
March 7 2008
Grimethorpe, Bogthorpe…some of the towns or villages that will be seen signposted by those who’ve chosen to drive up who couldn’t get a place on the free travel provided by the club due to the unkind late kick off. This is mining country (or it was) but before any scoff at the names they’d do well to remember there was a time when this lot hammered us 4-1 (or was it 4-0?) in the FA Cup 3rd round.
That was a terrible day and almost ranks along with that rain soaked 3-1 hammering given to us at Ashton Gate against Bristol City also in the FA Cup 3rd round.
I’m sure Graham Roberts scored an own goal (or missed a penalty – or was it both!) and we were left with another upset result to add to our glittering array of cock-ups. Still, we got revenge later in the league at Stamford Bridge when Dixon scored 4 in a 6-2 win (???).
Some nice people up there in miner country though. At the time, our support was quite, shall we say, “notorious” and we were warned beforehand that we wouldn’t be allowed in any of the local pubs.
For a change, we actually arrived up there early and after confirming all the pubs had boards on display with “No Chelsea” chalked up on them we decided to head to the ground. Walking aimlessly around for a while some doors opened (at the base of the stadium I think?) and a head poked out. We stood motionless and a thick local accent ushered us in. We were a bit bemused – some of us wore colours – why were we being invited in? Maybe we were going to get a shoeing once we were through the doors?!!! In we went anyway and there was some kind of official supporters working mans club. Extremely cheap beer and not a hint of animosity. We were the only Chelsea in there amongst around 200 Barnsley supporters!
Their best player, Curry, was in there all suited up – I think he was injured and therefore couldn’t play. Still, nice people and but maybe they knew what was about to happen out there on the pitch a few hours later!
Back to today we should also remind ourselves who they beat in the previous round – Liverpool no less. Your typical, brave, “up and at em” performance on home soil, urged on by the baying local masses? Nope! At Anfield! So, whilst we are favourites to go through it shouldn’t be a stroll in the park and bearing in mind Grant will probably use this game to give those who haven’t played for a while a run out it may be closer than we think.
Barnsley will be missing both Macken and Nytanga as they are cup tied.
Van Homoet, with an ankle problem is 50/50 and will have a late fitness test but Muller, Anderson de Silva and Reid are all ruled out.
For our part we will be missing Cech in goal so I’m expecting Barnsley to test us with crosses although they’ll probably have to keep the high balls away from Alex who should slot in for Terry.
Shevchenko? Hmmm…good question. He played for the reserves in midweek and must be nearing full fitness – I reckon he’ll be on the bench.
There are rumours that we may play a near full strength side AND experiment (at long last!) with a 4-4-2 formation with Drogba and Anelka up front. If only that were true! Maybe…just maybe it will be 4-4-2 instead of the usual 4-3-3 but with rotated players?
We should win this – but we’ll know we have been in a match. I can see them scoring first as well…I’m not even going to try and guess the line-up – I’ve no idea what Grant’s going to do.
They´ve a very decent pitch up there and in the stands It should be a cracking atmosphere!
Davey:
"Anything's possible. We've already beaten Liverpool at Anfield, so why can't we beat Chelsea at Oakwell?"Chelsea are world-class and on a different planet compared to what we are used to.
"But my players have a belief that every time they take to the football pitch they can win."
Barnsley 0-6 Chelsea (Vialli hat-trick) and Barnsley first home game in the Premiership.
I am so looking forward to going to Oakwell tomorrow and I have no worries about Chelsea getting to a Wembley semi-final - no disrespect to Barnsley's result at Scumpool - but we are a quality side, Premiership title winners twice in the last three years and Barnsley beat Liverpool.
Again Chelsea FC has done the biz to help the fans get to Oakwell for a TV silly o'clock kick off time - at least it aint 6pm on s Sunday nite!!!
Roll on 12.30 pm Saturday when my train leaves.....
COME ON CHELSEA
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Most reds fans expect us to lose but we have done well against all the top teams in this division.
Chelsea are a different class though and I'm expecting a 4 - 0 thumping by you lot.
Most fans want this match out of the way so we can secure our place in this division and re-build for next year.
All the best - should be a cracking atmosphere!
Not with you Dave.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
SINCE 66 on the back of a yellow shirt - will be at Oakwell about 2.45pm
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Will it make any difference? - he could be coming up with Roman in his helicopter tomorrow.
Helicopter is not a preferred mode of travel by the way.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Flatcaps and rollups.1 Multimillionaires.0
Time to spend another £200 million!!
