Yeah Chelsea really seem like our bogey team at the moment cant remember the last time we beat Chelsea always seems to be a draw. If we do make it to the final think it will be a dull final.
No problem. Pens. kelleher saves 3 and we are home and hosed. easy peasy lemon squeezy Who wants an exciting final anyway?
Id rather focus on the tough game we have tonight. It could be Kelleher's last game for us for example. Bradley needs a big performance again just to keep his name in the mix. (trent/bradley rather than trent/gomez/bradley) Quansah will want a big performance to keep his name in the mix. Again he'd rather be the third cb rather than being bumped to 4th by Gomez too. Competition for places is great. Esp when new hungry player are coming in and not just people we plan to carry. I expect gravenberch to start as well.
Just looked it up in our last 20 meetings we have beaten Chelsea 5 times in normal time and won 3 penalty shootouts our last win was Sept 2020.
not a very good record over what is largely klopp's tenure as it will include several cup ties what's the draws and losses?
I think it works out as 5W 5L 10D but 3 of the draws were cup finals. So we don't want it to go to penalties as by law of averages Chelsea should win the shootout
Jurgen Klopp have a good record head to head with Mauricio Pochettino, we need to see Fulham off first.
First 20 mins are massive tonight, because we are notoriously slow starters away from home and we know what Fulham's preferred game plan will be - as long as they get an early goal they can revert to type. We don't have much on the bench if things go wrong but we had enough two weeks ago. Hopefully it will prove to be enough again if required.
the Fulham side still want to press in the small pitch but really want to counter so it's absolutely vital we don't give easy stuff but picking around passing it like we are ahead in the game and don't need to attack. forwards need to provide options for a pass. a threat must be offered.
decent line up but we will see. it's funny elliot got all of 60mins at rw and since then is straight back to rcm. he really really didn't do well not having the ball. hopefully tonight he is a bit more positive and runs forward rather than endlessly recycling the ball. be positive would be my message to the lad. gravenberch needs to get involved defensively here. he will be vital as if he leaves it all to macca we will be in trouble.
Interesting our right side is Bradley and Quansah. Obv the area to target and with Willian and Robinson down that end will be big test for those 2. Need whoever plays rcm to really help out there.
