The Hatters really are on a roll, the last six Championship games have seen five wins and a loss.
This Wednesday evening though, the Hatters will have to increase their ball game when they welcome Chelsea, to Kenilworth Road, for a 5th round FA Cup tie.
The West London side are one of the best teams around having recently won the World Club Champions trophy to two other recent additions, the Champions League trophy, and the European Super Cup trophy.
On paper, it looks like winning could be mission impossible, but we all know that, over the years, the FA Cup has seen many a shock.
So how could, in this instance, David beat Goliath.
In looking at the tie, I’ve highlighted 3 things:
1 – Patience – Chelsea like to play a pressing game, they like to keep the opposition pinned back in their own half, not giving players time on the ball, and forcing individual errors. When in possession, Chelsea use the ball wisely, they don’t give the ball away easily and work the opposition by moving the ball across the pitch. Luton, during the 90 minutes, may only have 30% of the total possession, they will need to be patient and, when they get the ball, use it wisely.
2 – Be Clinical – When it comes to chances, I don’t expect Luton to create a raft of opportunities. Chelsea’s style of play could restrict Luton to maybe two or three chances, at most. When one comes our way, we must be clinical, we must hit the net, we cannot fluff any golden opportunities, if we do, Chelsea will punish us.
3 – The Atmosphere – Kenilworth Road is a tight ground, the support are right on top of the pitch, Chelsea, in their trophy quests, have played in numerous arenas and should be able to cope with our quaint stadium, but you never know. If the support can get the ground rocking, for the full 90 minutes, Chelsea may become unsettled, errors may creep into their game, chances may come our way, so ramp up the noise levels, unsettle the opposition and you just never know.
But, in all honesty, it remains a huge task to beat Chelsea, but the magic of the FA Cup is always just around the corner, besides, there’s revenge for last season when, during the pandemic, they knocked us out in front of an empty Stamford Bridge, how about it lads?
I’ve highlighted just three points, but how do you see Luton pulling off a cup upset?
Please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
COYH’s
Middlesbrough v Luton Town?
Middlesbrough to Win!
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – It’s A Large Slice Of Humble Pie For Me.
Morning mh, I’m wondering what sort of team touché will be putting out. I know even his second squad will be full of internationals. But after yesterday it must give us a squeak.
I watched the EFL Final yesterday and I thought Chelsea were the better side, he will make changes to his XI but, like you say, even those that come in are internationals, they keep the ball so well, we can’t be careless with our possession, but its a cup game, anything can happen!
You forgot score more than them. 😉
🙂
what a great penalty shoot out. just desserts for that twat goalkeeper. i would love to see an upset but expect chelsea to shine. cup games always throw up suprises, so lets see. good chance to see difference in divisions, and money spent.COYH
As long as we put up a fight, then fair play, but under the lights at the Kenny you never no…no matter what side they put out, they won’t be comfortable at our fortress….
On paper not a cat in hells chance but this is football you never no come u hatters
a very tough night in store whatever team Chelsea play but we’ve been here before against the elite teams in the FA Cup, Liverpool in 2006 had to pull everything out of the bag that night to beat us in that epic 3 – 5 game.
Fingers crossed Nathan receives his manager of the month award for Febuary after Wednesday night 🙂 we don’t need the jinx that award comes with adding to an already uphill task
COYH
One thing I noticed about Chelsea is, they like playing it in their own box from goal kicks. Having seen how close Adebayo gets to keepers clearing in the league, this could be a major asset….if he is fit of course….
good point Alan, i also noticed that yesterday as well, the thing with Adebayo is he’s deceptively quick at covering short distances with those long legs and keepers wrongly assume they have longer on the ball than they actually do when he’s closing in on them.
Just hope he’s Ok to play as he was holding his thigh as he came off on Saturday
COYH