After Saturday’s FA Cup exploits – when Chelsea put in a professional performance to see off Preston North End – Chelsea are now nearing a return to the nitty-gritty of Premier League action. Wednesday’s visitors are Alex McLeish’s rapidly improving Birmingham.
It won’t be an easy game – just a month ago Birmingham ground out a nil-nil draw with an uninspired Chelsea who, despite Lampard and Anelka missing good chances, never really looked like snatching all three points. Birmingham’s defence played astutely that day, effectively nullifying Chelsea’s narrow attack.
It’s almost a must-win game for Ancelotti’s Blues, who suddenly find themselves trailing both Man Utd (two more points, two games in hand) and Arsenal (same points, one game in hand). Winning against Birmingham could see Chelsea open up an important gap on Arsenal who might suffer during a patch of difficult games.
In preparation for tomorrow’s game, we caught up with Mike from joysandsorrows.co.uk - a Birmingham City blog – to get the inside view on tomorrow night’s encounter from the perspective of the opposition. Feel free to take offence at his finely chosen words on Frank Lampard…
How do you think Chelsea are doing this season? Why?
I think Chelsea are doing exactly how they would have been expected to do. I tipped them to win the league at the start of the season and I've not changed my mind. It will be a good fight with Arsenal and United though which will go down to the wire. You could well end up with the league and cup double this year. I'm still tipping Barcelona for the Champions league though.
You weren't that impressive when you came to ours on Boxing Day but you've picked it up a bit since then.
Who would you see as Chelsea’s player(s) to watch for on Wednesday?
Nicolas Anelka has been in great form of late and will trouble us with his pace. As we will probably sit deep to counter this we will have to watch out for shots from distance which are of course Frank Lampard's speciality. You know if deflected shots were always given as own goals he would barely have scored any.
Where will Chelsea finish?
Top and FA Cup winners. Losing semi-finalists in the Champions League.
Have you been to Stamford Bridge before, and what was your experience?
I've only been there on a work function so have seen the ground but not when a match was on. I usually avoid it as it's the most expensive away day. This year you want £48 for a game on a Wednesday night...shocking.
Who's been Birmingham’s player of the season so far?
Bowyer and Ferguson in midfield have surprised a lot of people but our success has been built on our defence marshalled by Roger Johnson. He has been immense all season and has found a great partner in Scott Dann. I could see them both getting England call ups before too long.
Prediction for the game?
I think we will keep it competitive for about seventy minutes but then Lampard will score with a deflected shot or a dodgy penalty and the game will end 1-0.
If you’re ever interested in more of the latest news and views on Birmingham City FC, then visit Joys and Sorrows and get the fans’ perspective. Meanwhile, are you a Chelsea or Birmingham fan taking issue with Mike’s pre-match analysis? Post a comment…
lampard wouldn't have scored nearly as many goals withut the deflections? crazy...just a common myth . think i read somewhere that its been something like 5 in his whole career, and he's scored 20 goals each seaosn for the last 4. hopefully he'll get the winner tomorrow
Posted by: chelsfan | 26 January 2010 at 19:32
Dubious penalties? Goals from deflections? I think this guy has Chelsea confused with Manchester United.
Posted by: JC | 26 January 2010 at 19:45
deflected goals are like having sex with a girl in wheelchair. It's not something you're proud of but they all count
Posted by: tenmen | 26 January 2010 at 20:32
Nice interview. This is a good touch to the blog. It is nice to see the other sides point of view.
Posted by: Michael Hepp | 27 January 2010 at 01:04
I don't care much about his view on Lamps.I *won't* survive us losing another Champions League semi-final.
Posted by: Kostaz | 27 January 2010 at 12:17
funny to see the comment on superfrank--and then he puts in a lovely brace---without deflections of course . . .
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