Manager Nathan Jones is relishing his first trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and has said he will pay the Emirates FA Cup the ‘ultimate respect’ with his team selection.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s meeting – which is live on BBC One – the gaffer was subject to plenty of questions from the media in this afternoon’s press conference but explained whilst anticipating a fantastic occasion, all concerned with the club will be treating it as just another game.
“That is not cliché, we want to be positive in everything we do but we can’t go in there gung-ho, we can’t be too negative. We have to prepare like we would if we were coming up against Chelsea in the league, it is no different.
“We’re preparing for this game like we would against Bournemouth, like we would against Brentford. Exactly the same way because we realise they are a Champions League team, but that is the test we really like.”
Differing from the third round win against Reading, Gabriel Osho will not feature for the Hatters after joining Rochdale on loan until the end of the season and Nathan said this about the move: “We thought long and hard about it because I thought he was excellent against Reading, it is just how much game time he is going to get immediately, coupled with the fact he could get anything from 15 to 24 games going out to Rochdale.”
One man who could be in contention, however, is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after the gaffer confirmed: “I don’t want to give anything away, but we have had permission if we want to select him, then he can play.”
And further on what team the Hatters may field on Sunday afternoon: “What I can promise you is that we will treat the competition with respect.” The manager admitted. “Whatever team we put out, because we have to think that we played Wednesday, we have a game five days later away against Blackburn, so we have to think about that. We will pay the competition the ultimate respect.”
Stamford Bridge is a ground Nathan Jones is yet to visit in any capacity and hopes it will be a memorable occasion for him and his team.
“I’m looking forward to going there. It definitely wasn’t a place I played regularly at because I wasn’t at the level and then obviously as an assistant, we were always in the Championship and then I came here.
“We hadn’t been fortunate enough yet to have drawn them in the cup (until now). It will be my first visit there but one I’m relishing and I’m really looking forward to the test.”
