Im guessing what he is trying to say is that he would like to go to the match, which Will be considerably easier travelling to southampton than sunderland. I don't for one minute think he believes we Will be an easier fixture.
So, we beat Sunderland and then we play Chelsea 3 times in 1 month. They are going to be really sick of us
Thanks for the explanation...too early in the morning for me. I thought that he considered us an easier touch than Sunderland...forgetting which round it was. If we get through, playing Chelsea three times in a month will be a pain. However, I don't think we will lose three times...think we are capable of winning at least once...rather it was the league though. May be the Sky match, though they may be fed up with the fixture as well.
I think the three games in a month is the most mouth watering aspect of this match up. It will really test the managers skill as they adapt from one game to the next. Irrespective of win lose or draw I can see both managers changing tactics to match the occassion and the opposition line up - reflecting on the success or failure of the previous encounter(s)
Well one thing's for sure. If we do get through against Sunderland, we will approach each of the three Chelsea matches with pretty much the same tactics, regardless of the actual players we field in each game. Our success or failure will rest on the ability of the respective Chelsea teams to adapt to our game plan. A year ago you would have thought me insane to say such a thing, but the last few matches have shown that we can be pretty invincible if we stick to our game, whoever the opposition.
Chelsea and City are the teams with the depth and versatility to adapt to beat the high press. ManU should have been as well, but Moyes (although a good manager) doesn't have the European experience of Mourinho and Pellegrini. I don't thnk we will lose 3/3 to Chelsea, but tough games.
Both Bayern Munich and Barcelona often play a high-pressing game. Many teams don't have a way round them. I'm not comparing Saints to Bayern and Barca [well, ok perhaps I am], but if a team does the high pressing style well enough, the opposition have to play exceptionally well to beat it. That's not to say that it is unbeatable, but both Chelsea and ManC will have far easier games this season.
I recon the three Chelsea fixtures would have a win for each and a draw written all over them. I think I'd take the hit in the league to keep the cup dream alive.
Utd and City have a few dodgy players that they wheel out for cup games like Butner and Rodwell who may be good enough to play for a lot of teams, but their lack of playing time can be a major dis advantage. Whereas Chelsea have players like Mata, Cahill and Eto that are not making the first team, their strength esp final third is pretty scary.
Last season we took 4 points off Chelsea in the League and got hammered by them in the FA Cup. I think we are a much better side now, although it's fair to say Chelsea probably are too. I think we can at least equal our League performance and sneak a penalty-shootout win in the League cup.
Ahhh Buttner. Is it only a year and a bit ago we were aspiring to bring in this tremendous talent to fill the gaping hole at left back? Anyone do a Shaw / Buttner swap now? I jest of course.
