FA Cup Quarter Final: Chelsea v Spurs

THE FA CUP
By dixon9
March 12 2007

“He looks mustard!” “Gutted we didn’t sign him!” “We should go for him in the summer!” etc etc etc… In recent weeks, around football grounds, pubs, offices and the web, the name Dimitar Berbatov has been on fans lips due to some very impressive performances in the White Hart Lane sides attack.

The Bulgarian striker reminds me a bit of a more robust Torre André Flo in his prime.  He’s quite a big fella, has an excellent, deft touch, can dribble with surprising balance for a man of his stature and most importantly of all, he knows where the goal is.  Of course, we’ve seen this so many times before - a player that promises so much and receives rave reviews in the press then inexplicably fades during the following season for example, however, I suspect this won’t be the case with this player.

 

Anyway, enough of me blabbing on about Berbatov…

 

This is a classic – a real football match.  A London FA Cup derby clash where south west meets north London.  Old rivalries and grievances which became more intense from a 1967 cup final and the loss of home grown players Messers Greaves and Venables (But hold on a minute!  How can that be if we have no HIIIIIISSSTOREEEEE???) whose eventual destination was to be White Hart Lane, are resuscitated with some anticipation.  

 

More recent treachery by the likes of a Mr Durie who moved to “McTottenham” and an even fresher wound caused by a certain Frank Arnesen who went to SW6 in a blaze of media coverage, only adds to the bad feeling.  Fathers in badly carpeted pubs with beer on their breath anxiously remind their newly initiated offspring why exactly the other side are to be scorned upon so as to ensure the “legacy” will be preserved.  One or two extra pre-match pints more than the normal quota are consumed and the thought of the Sunday roast and Yorkshire pudding kept warm in the oven is the last thing on the mind. Once inside the ground, the noise of the crowd has a much fiercer edge than normal and the players cannot but help feel the transmission of will from the crowd no matter their own origins.  Yes indeed, a real football match where the stadium transforms into a gladiator’s arena and the baying masses demand blood, victory and honour saved.

 

Jol is no mug and Mourinho revels in trying to anticipate and outwit his counterpart’s tactics.  It could well be the first half is chess-like in it’s approach with each team waiting to exploit that mistake and draw first blood – then is when the derby will viciously and suddenly crank into life and lesser disciplined teams lose their shape and chess turns into speed draughts! 

 

Could Jol adopt a “best policy of defence is attack” approach which has been responsible for recent favourable results?  Will he perhaps apply a more cautious strategy of leaving the speedy Lennon up front with instructions to switch flanks (he’s been more on the left recently) and perhaps with the equally rapid Defoe lurking in the centre?  Will he go all out with Lennon, Berbatov and Keane and reserve Defoe for when the adrenalin abates and midfield and defenders legs are weaker?  I’ve no idea but I’m sure Mourinho will be more than aware of the permutations and already gone through the scenarios in training.  In my opinion, young Diarra on the right and Ashley Cole on the left should be able to shore up the flanks reasonably well and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jol does instruct Lennon to stay more on the left flank so as to confront the lesser experienced Diarra rather than Cole.

 

Jol insisted that he would play his strongest side against Braga and almost kept to his word so maybe we can assume he will go all out for this match?

 

"This is probably a great opportunity for us, when you look at Chelsea's home record.  I don't gamble on the game, I don't have a glass ball. But we want to win all the games, then make an assessment and see how far we are."

 

Spurs have had a dramatic improvement in form recently and whilst they boast a fresh, dangerous attack they conversely possess a porous defence still not recovered from the absence of the talented Ledley King.  They remind me of a leaky bucket being hurriedly filled from a gushing tap – the water seeps out rapidly but the speed of the incoming water is JUST, JUST enough to ensure the pale remains full.  Certainly the lethal Drogba, a returning to form Shevchenko and the Mr master slalom expert, Robben could and should cause havoc in the Spurs rearguard.

 

Observations from Mourinho´s staff who have been watching Spurs for the last few weeks and the conclusions of Braga Sporting director, Eladio Parames, an old friend of José’s, will have already been incorporated into the dossiers handed to each Chelsea player detailing the strengths and weaknesses of his possible, direct opponents.  It will be a fascinating, tactical battle between two managers who hold mutual respect – so I doubt there will be any “They had to hold me back!  He doesn’t realise how strong I am!” in the post match press conference comments!

The possible incorporation of Terry frees up Essien to perform his powerhouse role in midfield BUT….but…..will our captain be fit?

 

"I've seen the specialist today (Thursday), I've passed all the tests and he's given me the go-ahead to join in training with no contact and no heading at the moment.  I'm aiming towards Sunday but the specialist is the man that makes that decision. First and foremost I need to come through the next couple of days' training unscathed and I'm just pleased to be back involved."

 

Apart from concussion, Terry previously had a an ankle injury which was bizarrely diagnosed as too serious to ensure his presence in the Carling Cup Final before given a miraculous and sudden “all clear” by our doctor, Brian English.

 

"There's still a little bit of pain and I played in the final with strapping on but its fine.  I'm doing extra work to stabilise that and am having massage treatment around the ankle as well."

 

If Terry isn’t fit then will Boulahrouz slot in alongside the outstanding Carvalho?  Will neither be cleared and Essien left to cope with Berbatov and Keane? Despite my earlier ramblings on Berbatov, he appeared to have picked up a knock against Braga anyway, so will he be reserved and Defoe dispatched to scamper around the tree-trunk legs of the Ghanaian with Carvalho keeping a watchful eye on our temporary centre-half who tends to drift out of position?

Mikel Obi is still suspended and besides the 50/50 Terry and Boulahrouz, we obviously still have Joe Cole missing.  Spurs have Zokora and Malbranque back and Jenas will be 50/50.  Ledley King still out along with Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee injury) but Danny Murphy (groin complaint) may recover in time for Sunday.  The temperamental but incisive Mido had a cyst on his knee but may also be available.

Chelsea from:  Cech, Hilario, Diarra, Terry, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Cole, Makalele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, SWP, Robben, Shevchenko, Drogba and Kalou.

Tottenham from: Robinson; Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Lee; Ghaly, Tainio, Huddlestone, Lennon; Murphy, Taino, Keane, Berbatov, Mido, Cerny and Rocha.

 

 

Anyone reading this preview will realise that I haven’t got too much of an idea who will be on each side, however, with regard to Chelsea and match prediction I’ll plump for the following:

 

Chelsea 4-4-2 with Cech, Diarra, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Robben, Drogba and Shevchenko.

 

Chess at the beginning but a first goal to open the game right up.  We’ll win 3-1:  Shevchenko (2) and Ballack.  Keane for them to make it 2-1.