Hull City head coach Nigel Adkins has said that although we go into the weekend’s tie as huge underdogs against Chelsea, if you’re in football you have to relish challenges like this when the come along.
Facing Antonio Conte’s side at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round of the FA Cup, Hull have a number of issues going into the game but the attitude for Adkins is simple – it’s the magic of the Cup, upsets happen and you have to have enthusiasm for a tie like this.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media, Adkins explained.
‘It`s great – Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round of the FA Cup! We need the magic of the FA Cup and we`ll need a lot of it because we`re going up against a top side with an excellent manager and players who are used to winning things. They`ll see this competition as an opportunity to go and win another trophy. We`re going there under no illusions about the challenge in front of us.’
Adkins went on to say.
‘You have to believe that an upset is possible, though – it`s the FA Cup. We`ll select a team with some counter-attacking ability and with any opportunities we do get in the game, we have to be ruthless and clinical. We`ll be up against it defensively because we`re going up against a very good side. As a kid, you always want to be involved in the FA Cup. We`re in the fifth round here – it`ll be a tough game for us but we want to make it as tough as possible for Chelsea, too.’
Whilst again acknowledging how difficult it will be for us, Adkins felt he’d seen enough from the side to trust the players would give it their all on the day and try and give the travelling fans something to shout about.
‘There`s a real togetherness about the players and they`re having a go for each other. It`s a game that we`re all looking forward to. Strange things happen in the FA Cup and you have to believe that something is going to happen for you. We have to go there and play without fear because, at the end of the day, Chelsea are expected to win the game. We`ll have to be inspired in defence, our goalkeeper will have to have a wonderful night and then it`s about whether we can be clinical when we get the opportunity.’
Jon Toral was hoping to be involved following his performance against Nottingham Forest, and taking up his own position in front of the media he explained.
‘Of course I want to play against Chelsea. I want to play every game – whatever the competition! Ask any of the lads and they will all say exactly the same. We all love to play this wonderful sport. It will be a great experience for the squad to go to Stamford Bridge and play against Chelsea.’
He added.
‘You want to play against the best teams in the country – and Chelsea are definitely one of those. We got a morale-boosting win away at Forest at the weekend and we have to go to Chelsea with confidence and the belief that we can get a result. We’ll be going there looking to win the tie and progress in the FA Cup. We know it will be a tough, tough game – but it’s 90 minutes of football and as we all know in this sport, anything can happen.’
