Post by groo on Apr 27, 2007 20:47:45 GMT 5
FA CUP SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW.
..... Lee Brotherston
Blackburn Rovers vs Chelsea
FA Cup Semi-final, Old Trafford
Sunday 15th April @ 4:00pm
I've managed to get in contact with Lee Brotherston, who is the son of a former Rovers' winger, the late Noel Brotherston. I thought it would have been very appropriate that we should get a few words from someone linked to the famous winger, as he was the last person to score in an FA Cup tie between Blackburn and Chelsea, in which Blackburn won 1-0.
LEE, HOW DOES IT FEEL THAT YOUR FATHER SCORED THE WINNER IN THE LAST FA CUP TIE OVER CHELSEA?
I was actually unaware of this fact, until you had mentioned it earlier. So I said it to my mum Lynne and she believes that we could have been mascots for that match, as there is a photo of my brother Ryan and myself in our lounge as mascots before a Chelsea fixture. Anyhow, it's a real privilege to learn of this fact and I'm proud of what my father achieved. I do have the feeling that if we score on Sunday it will come from the left hand side again.
WHAT'S BEEN BLACKBURN'S BIGGEST DOWNFALL THIS SEASON?
Certainly injuries have played it's part and we've had a few long term casualties, but loosing twice to United this season has been my own lowest point.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF CHELSEA'S SEASON?
Despite them not playing their best football and well-known rifts in the ranks, they've had a fairly decent season. With one trophy down, they're expecting another three, but hopefully we'll rule that down to two after the weekend.
WHO DO YOU FEAR IN THE CHELSEA RANKS (if anyone)?
As we all know, Chelsea have a very strong side and Benni will find it tough getting past John Terry and Petr Cech. Shevchenko isn't quite the player he once was and despite the fact of him coming into some sort of form, Samba will have him in his back pocket. We'll also have to be cautious of Lampard as he's capable of scoring a vast amount of goals for Chelsea.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE BLACKBURN CHANCES IN THE SEMI-FINAL TIE?
I feel that we have a good chance. As you know it's the FA Cup and anything can happen. Logic does say that we're going to get beat, but I'm a firm believer in history and that's what Chelsea has very little of when it comes to prestigious FA Cup.
WHERE CAN BLACKBURN WIN THIS TIE?
We'll need McCarthy to step up a gear, as we could be relying on his fire-power as he's capable of the best. We've seen what he's produced in the past, especially in the replay against Arsenal. If Pedersen and Bentley both hit top form, then Chelsea could be in for a torrid time. Finally you can never look too far past our best goalkeeper that we've ever had the club and Friedel could become another potential match-winner.
WHATS YOUR THOUGHTS ON MARK HUGHES?
Hughesy is a great manager and would love to see him stay on as manager for a few more season's. He's brought belief and some decent talent to Blackburn and we've also endured a few great cup runs under him. Let's hope we can make it to a final now though.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF MOURINHO?
He's a character. He's shown that he's a good manager, but many will argue that he's had ample resources readily available to him. Whatever they win or don't win, he'll definitely be gone at the end of the season, as Mr Abramovich rules the roost at the Bridge.
KEY-ENCOUNTERS?
Shevchenko and Samba (laughing)!!
I think the Bentley and Ashley Cole will be a real interesting encounter. I feel that Cole has been well over-hyped and id Bentley is on top of his game, then Mr McLaren will have to sit up and take notice. There will also be a familiar one of Drogba and the grass as he'll be usually be lying spread-eagled on the turf many times over, looking for his penalties and free-kicks.
PREDICTIONS.
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Chelsea.
Pedersen free-kick.
ANY THOUGHTS ON THE OTHER SEMI-FINAL.
C'mon Watford!! I haven't really thought about it to be honest. I hate to say it, but you can't really see anything other than a Man Utd win, as they've shown they are one of the best sides in Europe.
..... Lee Brotherston
Blackburn Rovers vs Chelsea
FA Cup Semi-final, Old Trafford
Sunday 15th April @ 4:00pm
I've managed to get in contact with Lee Brotherston, who is the son of a former Rovers' winger, the late Noel Brotherston. I thought it would have been very appropriate that we should get a few words from someone linked to the famous winger, as he was the last person to score in an FA Cup tie between Blackburn and Chelsea, in which Blackburn won 1-0.
LEE, HOW DOES IT FEEL THAT YOUR FATHER SCORED THE WINNER IN THE LAST FA CUP TIE OVER CHELSEA?
I was actually unaware of this fact, until you had mentioned it earlier. So I said it to my mum Lynne and she believes that we could have been mascots for that match, as there is a photo of my brother Ryan and myself in our lounge as mascots before a Chelsea fixture. Anyhow, it's a real privilege to learn of this fact and I'm proud of what my father achieved. I do have the feeling that if we score on Sunday it will come from the left hand side again.
WHAT'S BEEN BLACKBURN'S BIGGEST DOWNFALL THIS SEASON?
Certainly injuries have played it's part and we've had a few long term casualties, but loosing twice to United this season has been my own lowest point.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF CHELSEA'S SEASON?
Despite them not playing their best football and well-known rifts in the ranks, they've had a fairly decent season. With one trophy down, they're expecting another three, but hopefully we'll rule that down to two after the weekend.
WHO DO YOU FEAR IN THE CHELSEA RANKS (if anyone)?
As we all know, Chelsea have a very strong side and Benni will find it tough getting past John Terry and Petr Cech. Shevchenko isn't quite the player he once was and despite the fact of him coming into some sort of form, Samba will have him in his back pocket. We'll also have to be cautious of Lampard as he's capable of scoring a vast amount of goals for Chelsea.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE BLACKBURN CHANCES IN THE SEMI-FINAL TIE?
I feel that we have a good chance. As you know it's the FA Cup and anything can happen. Logic does say that we're going to get beat, but I'm a firm believer in history and that's what Chelsea has very little of when it comes to prestigious FA Cup.
WHERE CAN BLACKBURN WIN THIS TIE?
We'll need McCarthy to step up a gear, as we could be relying on his fire-power as he's capable of the best. We've seen what he's produced in the past, especially in the replay against Arsenal. If Pedersen and Bentley both hit top form, then Chelsea could be in for a torrid time. Finally you can never look too far past our best goalkeeper that we've ever had the club and Friedel could become another potential match-winner.
WHATS YOUR THOUGHTS ON MARK HUGHES?
Hughesy is a great manager and would love to see him stay on as manager for a few more season's. He's brought belief and some decent talent to Blackburn and we've also endured a few great cup runs under him. Let's hope we can make it to a final now though.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF MOURINHO?
He's a character. He's shown that he's a good manager, but many will argue that he's had ample resources readily available to him. Whatever they win or don't win, he'll definitely be gone at the end of the season, as Mr Abramovich rules the roost at the Bridge.
KEY-ENCOUNTERS?
Shevchenko and Samba (laughing)!!
I think the Bentley and Ashley Cole will be a real interesting encounter. I feel that Cole has been well over-hyped and id Bentley is on top of his game, then Mr McLaren will have to sit up and take notice. There will also be a familiar one of Drogba and the grass as he'll be usually be lying spread-eagled on the turf many times over, looking for his penalties and free-kicks.
PREDICTIONS.
Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Chelsea.
Pedersen free-kick.
ANY THOUGHTS ON THE OTHER SEMI-FINAL.
C'mon Watford!! I haven't really thought about it to be honest. I hate to say it, but you can't really see anything other than a Man Utd win, as they've shown they are one of the best sides in Europe.