Jarrod doing the (early) presser with Nige today. please log in to view this image Bowen up first... "Going into the changing room, they say a winning changing room is the best to go into. To win by two goals and get a clean sheet, which we’ve struggled with this year, was a real bonus." "Chelsea are a massive team, but we all know anything can happen - its 90 minutes of football. We know they're the favourites, but as I say we all know anything can happen in the FA Cup." "The lads are used to playing Saturday and Tuesday, so the games coming up is not a problem. The FA Cup is still important. This Club got to the final a few years ago and to get the FA Cup on your CV would be really good." "This is my first season playing in the FA Cup, so Chelsea away would be a nice way to carry it on. We’re coming up against some of the best players in the world and that’s what you want to do as a player, I’m relishing it." (on Ryan Mason): "We’ve all been waiting to see the outcome and everyone was gutted yesterday. Ryan's such a nice bloke, but you've got to put your health and life first. It goes without saying that we all wish him well for the future." Adkins up... (on Ryan Mason): "Ryan came in and addressed the players and it was emotional. It was private words, but hopefully what he said will carry with those players for the rest of their career. We wish him really well for the future." "He’s explored everything he could to get back but unfortunately he’s had to make this decision. Ryan and the medical people did everything possible to give him the chance to continue playing. He's worked so hard and he knows he’s done everything he can." "It's going to be a real challenge at Chelsea - but one that everyone is relishing. We are going there under no illusions, but it’s the FA Cup so anything is possible." "We play Friday, Tuesday, Friday so it’s relentless and we’ve been stretched with the injuries in the squad. It’s a juggling act and we are trying to get the most out of each player, but there is a togetherness here. It is challenging, but we are enjoying it." "The FA Cup is something I have always respected and you always want to be involved. It’s going to be a tough game, we know that, but we have to make it as tough as possible for Chelsea as well." "Every week I am going to be changing the team now, I’ve told the players that. I’d like some consistency in the team, but you just can’t do that with the number of games we have coming up." "We picked up some injuries at the weekend and those players haven't trained yet this week, so it's going to be an interesting challenge. We have to go there and believe we can get a positive result. Importantly, we also have to play with no fear!" "Michael Dawson is not training today but did a little bit yesterday. Kamil Grosicki hasn’t trained. They could both be involved against Chelsea, but there is a chance they both won’t be as well. We'll have to wait and see when the teamsheet is handed in." "Abel Hernández trained with us yesterday for the first time and is like a new player for us. Stephen Kingsley has been back in training with us as well, which is big positive. Will Keane is like a new player for us as well having just come back from injury himself." "We don’t want to make all these changes. I’d love to be able to say this is our strongest team going there, but I know Friday night we’ll be playing players out of position because that’s the way it is." "I don’t have a problem with that, we’ll deal with it, but the team Friday will be our strongest possible because we want to give ourselves every opportunity. It will be great for some of our players to play at Stamford Bridge against some world class players." "For us, there is nothing to lose. On paper, everyone expects Chelsea to win - but football isn't played on paper! We've got to go there and represent Hull City with pride and give the fans that go down to support the team something to shout about." The end.
In eager anticipation that I might get the call up, I have got rid of years of caked mud of my 'Kaisers' and applied copious amounts of dubbin. I have found a corset that should tighten up my excess pounds (only one or two you cheeky bastards), just hope none of those Cockernees rushes to swap shirts with me at the end of the game. Found an old asthma inhaler, but am having a little bit of trouble pushing my hernia back in. Ready and willing for the call to arms Nige.
Bowen on protests and fans' frustrations We feel the negativity and there will always be that when you’re not getting results. The protests and stuff, we leave that to the fans as that’s not something we can affect. There is always abuse or negativity around football grounds, that’s just football.
Suppose it depends how the question was phrased, but do the players think it's us v them? Let's hope they are a bit more savvy and realise its the twats in charge that we have the complaints with?
I think most of the players, Meyler in particular (due to his constant contact with the fans), know exactly what the score is.
I reckon we're looking at... ------------McGregor Meyler Dawson MacDonald Clark ----------Stewart Irvine ----Bowen--Toral---Wilson --------------Keane
I think Marshall will start again. Evandro may play instead of Toral. Who plays centre back if Dawson isn't 'fit'?
As Dawson was training yesterday, but was rested today, I suspect the aim is for him to start. If not, we're a bit ****ed, it will have to be one of the U23's, maybe Brandon Fleming?
It will be double figures. Will that show the Allams and the football pundits, commentators and general public what a ****ing mess they have made of the club?
The way he was bouncing around on sky sports last night while watching Spurs would suggest a certain amount of fitness
I normally like to play strongest team in the cup and go for it, but in our current situation I was hoping Bowen would be nowhere near it, injury to him and we are ****ed
Meyler at RB for me. Dawson has to play, there is no one else. I quite like the Bowen/toral/wilson three behind a striker.