Am I being pessimistic...or does anyone else think that its Chelseas Turn?

[redheart]

I just have this horrible nagging feeling that it will be third time lucky for the Chavs.

Anyone else got that?

Or am I just a pessimist?

[Shaggy]

Yeah me too.

Purely in terms of football, tactical acumen etc, I fancy us strongly but I have a nagging doubt based solely on the law of averages.

If we were told, say, five years ago, that we'd face Chelsea in three European Cup sem-finals, not many of us, if any, would've predicted three wins for us. In fact not many neutrals would predict three wins for Chelsea either.

Three out of three is a big ask but, taking the tie on its own merits, I fancy us to win.

[Reece]

It seems we are indeed the underdogs again - most of the press I have listened to/read are tipping Chelsea.

I'm strongly confident we will do it again actually. We have a better team than the last two times we beat them, and arguably, their team is not as good. And this time we actually have a world class striker rather than the Baros' and Cisse's of the world.

[AFII]

Rafa knows how to play Chelsea and they don't have a plan B. Joe Cole is the only creative threat they have. Masch will take care of him. I'm not worried at all.

[carlton]

I ve been hesitating about posting a similar thread all week so Im glad you did it. Then again I was feeling like this before Arsenal so we'll probably wallop them. If we get past them we'll do the Mancs in a one off final (more confident about that to be honest)

[Slim]

Throw in the FA Cup semi in 2006 and we've done them in 3 semi-finals in the previous three seasons. By the law of averages alone then they should win this one, but our squad is better now than it was in those previous years, and they are playing much worse despite ther league position. Plus they have a manager who is nowhere near as good as Maureen and problems in the camp, despite what Terry says.

We're going to do it again.

[Reece]

Throw in the FA Cup semi in 2006 and we've done them in 3 semi-finals in the last three years. By the law of averages alone they should win this one, but our squad is better now than it was in those previous years, and they are playing much worse despite ther league position. Plus they have a manager who is nowhere near as good as Maureen and problems in the camp, despite what Terry says.

We're going to do it again.

Yeah, thank god Grant isn't as tactically good as Mourinho. I mean, how would we cope if we had to face a huge centre back being thrown up front in a last act of desperation

[friedk]

Exactly, don't buy that at all, this is our 4th semi-final against them in 4 years.

It's become a tradition under Rafa to beat the Chavs on the way to the final!

[dww]

I have to say anyone who is not worried about a side with Drogba, Anelka and Lampard in it is a bit mad IMO. They have the ability to steal any game.

On the other hand I really don't believe any of this quasi-probability stuff either. The previous games will only have an influence on a few players psychologically and overall I would think the benefits to both sides even out.

I've actually seen a few pundits tip us as slight favourites. I have to say I think I just about agree, however I would say that there isn't much in it.

The key for me will be how well Mascher and presumably Alonso control the centre of the pitch.

[Slim]

Yeah, thank god Grant isn't as tactically good as Mourinho. I mean, how would we cope if we had to face a huge centre back being thrown up front in a last act of desperation

He was a tactical genius that special one.

[Cormack74]

Law of averages says Chelsea will go through, but the same law of averages means we ought to beat the scum a shade more frequently.

[Slim]

Law of averages says Chelsea will go through, but the same law of averages means we ought to beat the scum a shade more frequently.

Good point.

[Guest]

Law of averages says Chelsea will go through, but the same law of averages means we ought to beat the scum a shade more frequently.

We're a better team than Chelsea and closer to Arsenal and Man Utd than most will admit it. It's just the consistency which is lacking (in the league).

[Sarb]

You're not the only one mate. Law of averages and fate says we'll probably lose this time. But that's not going to stop me supporting the team.

And if we look at the law of averages then we shouldn't have won the 2nd Semi-Final either really. If we'd beaten em once in the Semi then by fate/law of averages etc we should have lost the second

[jono]

Law of averages states that Benitez would also get beat at the Bernebeau, but from what I've heard he never has(correct me if I am wrong). He's a tactical genius with a far superior team then the last few he has had to face Chelsea. He is up against Grant as opposed to Mourinho. Having said that I ALWAYS worry in these games.