A collective sigh of relief has been the general reaction to the performance and draw on Saturday but we’ll find out more about how close we are to being able to raise our heads fully above the parapet after Tuesday evening when Bolton come to town for another attempt at our FA Cup quarter final. We will hopefully be in for a less emotionally fraught evening than our last get together.
In what was played of the first game we saw an even encounter in which Bolton were given confidence by their early goal and our dithering defence. We started slowly, improved a bit but then got worse again to the point where I was willing for half time before tragedy so nearly struck.
Redknapp’s team selection will be interesting. Adebayor’s importance to the side was once more emphasised on Saturday but given that he’s just returned from injury he may be reluctant to risk him again so soon. Lennon is apparently not far from a comeback, for how long though is anyone’s guess. It wouldn’t surprise me if he picked something not too dissimilar from the first game maybe with Ade and Lennon on the bench. It’s a risk in my view to start with Nelsen, if nothing else the hands he seems to paw opposing forwards with as he jumps mean it’s only a matter of time before he gives away a penalty.
“Let’s do it for Fabrice” will no doubt be Bolton’s mantra. It’ll be in our interest to play down the emotional stuff before and during the game, we have after all done our bit against Stoke. We’ll see though. Owen Coyle will make at least one change from the first game, for obvious reasons, but has threatened a bit of rotation, presumably because staying in the Premier League is their real priority.
Howard Webb is once again the ref. Oh good.
Chelsea at Wembley await the winner. COYS!
By MF
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