By dixon9
March 6 2009

This time last season we went out away to Barnsley in a shock FA Cup exit so we can only hope there will be no complacency during our visit to the Ricoh Stadium this time around. Apparently, the city is buzzing with anticipation for our visit and a record attendance for the new stadium is anticipated. Should be quite a match!

Sell-out record

Coventry sold their tickets for the match in a matter of hours with queues going right-round the stadium.  The attendance should be around 32,500 tomorrow for a club that has an average of 17,500. 

It does make you smile when you consider that some of these very fans might have been among those ringing up Talk-Sport of Radio Five Live deriding our big-club status and could also be singing the usual “Where were you when you were shi-t?” chants that no doubt will ring out now and then during the game tomorrow – I wonder if they will be capable of seeing the irony?!  Half of them will be “Only here for the Chelsea!”  

iiistoreeeee! 

Incredibly, this will be the first time our two clubs have faced each other in the FA Cup.  Coventry of course won the Cup back in 1987 with a 3-2 victory over our “old friends” Spurs. 

I remember the days of Highfield Road (proper football ground) although the Ricoh Stadium does look quite impressive in the photos. 

If memory serves, the Police up there don’t mess about and you could sense the cold hard stares as if they were just willing you to commit the mere hint of an offence so that they could drag you off to the nearest meat-wagon. 

We don’t have a good record up there – just three wins and six draws in 19 visits although our last visit in 2001 saw us run out 2-0 winners in the league. In 1997 when having forgotten our 2^nd kit we had to play in their second kit shirts – red and black cheques! 

Coventry City 

Manager Chris Coleman is a very astute tactician whom ex-manager José Mourinho held in high regard (in fact he once said that Coleman was his most difficult tactical opponent when the Welshman was at the helm of Fulham). 

The Sky Blues lost to 1-2 at home to Sheffield Utd in controversial style in their last match after a goal-line decision for the first goal conceded. 

They apparently like to “play football” and their squad comprises a blend of youth and experience. 

Scott Dann and Ben Turner man the heart of the defence, veterans Freddy Eastwood and Clinton Morrison form the spear-head (although it remains to be seen if they will play two up-front against us) along with Leon Best who tends to make his presence felt to opposition defences. 

The talented Leon McKenzie is out injured for the rest of the season so it will probably be left for Aron Gunnarsson to support the forwards and cause problems with his Ian Hutchinson/Rory Delap long throws. 

The slightly worrying news is that Coventry are supposed to be quite handy with set-pieces – still, this will be a real test to see if we are finally overcoming what has become an uncharacteristic curse for us in recent times. 

The good news for Chelsea is that their young and quick left back Daniel Fox is doubtful for tomorrow and could be replaced with Marcus Hall who isn’t the fastest around – putting Ricardo Quaresma on his side could bring dividends. 

Chelsea team news 

Left-back cover Paulo Ferreira is out for the rest of the season so let’s hope Ashley Cole doesn’t pick up a knock tomorrow – if so we could have to do something like put Malouda back on that side (although he did used to play in that position for Lyon). 

Both Essien and Carvalho are named in the squad although having only just come back I doubt that either would see more than 25 mins a substitutes. 

There could be quite a few changes to our previous line-up against Portsmouth with one eye on the forthcoming Champions League tie in Turin against Juventus on Tuesday.

A return for Deco will be delayed further as Hissink has ruld him out.  Youngster Manciene may get the nod ahead of Bosingwa for this one.  Belletti for Mikel Obi?  Quaresma for Kalou?

Anelka is suffering from his recent toe injury so it remains to be seen who plays either side of Drogba in a 4-3-3 – Malouda and Kalou?  Or could youngster Stoch get some playing time? 

The natural adrenalin of the Coventry team and the volume of the fans needs to be subdued as quickly as possible with an early goal – failure to do so and it could be a long afternoon for us. 

Chelsea possible line-up:

Coventry (from): Westwood, Dann, Turner, Wright, Gunnarsson, Doyle, Henderson, Eastwood, Simpson, Best, Osbourne, Beuzelin, Morrison, Marshall, Ward, Hall, Thornton, Cain.

Referee: Steve Bennett

A Replay would be played at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 18 March, kick off to be confirmed. 

The draw for the FA Cup semi-finals is on Sunday at 6.45pm and is live on ITV1 and Setanta Sports. 

Note:  I am currently filling-in for “Since 66” who normally puts up match related material as he is unfortunately unable to do so at this time.

Sent to Coventry: Chelsea FA Cup match preview

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 06/03/2009 19:10

50 Years Over 100 Years
06/03/2009 19:10

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CCFC Sid / CovSid67
06/03/2009 23:22

No offence fella, but I think if anybody will be singing “Where were you when you were shi-t?”, it will be the 14,000 that do, to the 14,000 that don't - Coventry supporters that have stuck by the club, when other have disappeared! And the worst thing about losing tomorrow is that our 'plastics' will disappear, and we didn't bribe them into buying tickets for the Sheffield United fixture, or tickets for future matches! Regarding tomorrows match, as my article the game states (Feel free to read it people!), the loss of Dan Fox for us is massive. He'll be in the Premiership very soon, as will Westwood and Gunnarsson. I hope we give a good account of ourselves, that's the main thing, but if we don't start well, I fear a bit of a cricket score....

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dixon9
06/03/2009 23:53

Well I wouldnt be feeling too pessimistic - think of Barnsley and Burnley!

Whatever the result I think it could be a real cracker of a match.

(and I take your point re your support).



.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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carefree
08/03/2009 08:48

Well done boys great result.There were some good performances out there.I was pleased to see Essien back on the pitch and played ok.I thought the goals were classy and well taken.
I think the guy who wrote about the game on the Chelsea site was clearly not at the game,he wrote.15 GOAL Drogba collects on the edge of the box and dances around Westwood,who leaves an open goal for our number 11 to smash in from a tight angle.Open goal,wasn't there two players on the line,hardly an open goal was it.
Then he says on 73 CHELSEA GOAL.Alex doubles the lead,tapping in from close range.No credit there for our goal scorers Alex especially who ran he`s Ar*e off to get in a position to score and what a goal smashed in with his left foot,not tapped in.

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guest
08/03/2009 11:04

Quote:

CCFC Sid / CovSid67
No offence fella, but I think if anybody will be singing “Where were you when you were shi-t?”, it will be the 14,000 that do, to the 14,000 that don't - Coventry supporters that have stuck by the club, when other have disappeared! And the worst thing about losing tomorrow is that our 'plastics' will disappear, and we didn't bribe them into buying tickets for the Sheffield United fixture, or tickets for future matches! Regarding tomorrows match, as my article the game states (Feel free to read it people!), the loss of Dan Fox for us is massive. He'll be in the Premiership very soon, as will Westwood and Gunnarsson. I hope we give a good account of ourselves, that's the main thing, but if we don't start well, I fear a bit of a cricket score....

always happens they come out the woodwork,,it was good game and cov played well, stupid mistake to give first goal away..

burnley v chelsea final,,be intresting

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carefree
08/03/2009 12:07

Lets hope so claret we owe you one,big test today though maybe replay yea.

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dixon9
08/03/2009 13:32

Will be rooting for your lot against Arsenal Claret! DON´T let us down!



.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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carefree
09/03/2009 07:34

Burnley were disappointing today there was no conviction.Should have gone 442 that's the only way to play Arsenal you could have got something out of the game.Arsenals goals today were special though but i think they were there for the taking today if it were anyone else playing them but too much for the Clarets.

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guest
09/03/2009 10:11

cant disagree c/f we were pretty poor,,players looked knackerd after all the games they have played,,expected that result tbh..its up to you now to beat them..

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dixon9
09/03/2009 12:01

...or Hull City.




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

guest
09/03/2009 13:51

yeh come on hull.

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