We're all hoping for a repeat of that night, 13 years ago. Our side is stronger now than it was back then, and Chelsea are likely to rotate more players than they did when we turned them over in 2008. Since then, Chelsea have only lost once to lower league opposition in the FA Cup; throwing away a 2 goal lead at home, to lose 4-2 to league 1 Bradford City. Form is certainly likely to play some part in the game. Chelsea are improving under Tuchel, whilst the reds only victories in 2021 have come in the cup. Both my heart and head point to an away win, however being the hopeless romantic I am, I'm going for a 1-0 win, with Chaplin breaking his goal drought, in an Odejayi-esque fashion.
0-5. With a top six finish in the league by no means guaranteed, I think they'll take this seriously and have far too much for us.
Do we have to? I feel awful predicting we'll get hammered but I can see a red card and us losing by 4 or more goals.
There's nothing awful about an average second division side getting heavily beaten by a top 6 first division side full of world class internationals.
I actually think we might do ok. At Stamford Bridge last season we gave a good account of ourselves but made stupid mistakes that led to goals. This season I think we are bit more savvy and harder to beat. Do I think we'll win, no, do we have a chance, shīt yeah.
I stand corrected, all a blur this last 2 seasons. It was still a Struber team rather than Ismael though.
I can't help but thinking all this talk of making it uncomfortable and pressing Chelsea is to make them give us a few yards and allow us to play our football. Which we are quite capable of at times.
I think if you ask Chelsea who they would like to be playing and I don't think Barnsley will be near the top of their list. It's a banana skin for them and anything we can get out of the game is a bonus for us. We beat them in 2008, can we do it tomorrow? My heart says yes, but my head says no. As long as we give a good account of ourselves and get some valuable experience playing against PL players (they'll have a strong team out) I'll be happy
As much as I'd love a repeat of the 2008 result, I can sadly see a result nearer to the beating we took in 1997, so I'm going for Reds 1 Chelski 4