Capital One Cup - Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers

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The 3^rd Round of the Capital One Cup sees Chelsea take on second division strugglers Bolton Wanderers in this opening round for Premier League clubs competing in Europe at Stamford Bridge in a match that pits 1st in the Premier league against fourth-last in the Championship.
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This trophy was, of course, famously the first one José Mourinho lifted upon first arriving in England in the 2004/05 season, and one which ultimately became the gambit to the period of dominance he thereafter oversaw, including back-to-back Premiership titles, another victory in this competition in 2007, an FA Cup that same year, and annual deep runs in Europe. Doubtless, the Portuguese, uncharacteristically and no doubt discontentedly shy of silverware in the last several seasons, will be pushing hard to once again get his hands on some this campaign, and an opportunity for an early pot to add to both his and Chelsea's collection will unquestionably appeal.
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The day's visitors find themselves in this 3rd Round of competition courtesy of a hard-fought 3-2 victory over League One Crewe Alexandra in Round 2 some four weeks ago. The hosts took the lead on just 2 minutes, but just 5 before the break, the Trotters clawed their way back into it through Darren Pratley. The 1-1 score held out for the entirety of second period regular time, and the proceedings appeared headed for extra time, until Jermaine Beckford stepped up 2 minutes into injury time to fire the visitors into the lead and, one would have thought, win it for his side; but another comeback proved in the cards, and the home side found an equaliser of their own a staggering 8 minutes into the added period, sending the game to an additional 30 minutes. Just shy of halfway into said period, Trotters striker Beckford netted his second of the evening, and Dougie Freedman's struggling men booked a place in the next round, and, they'd later find out, an eventual date with top flight heavyweights Chelsea.










The Blues, you'll remember, exited this competition rather surprisingly last term to then-Premier League strugglers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. A fairly lacklustre first half performance from the away side less than 2 weeks on from beating their hosts 4-3 in the same fixture in the League saw the proceedings head into the break honours even at nil apiece. The deadlock wouldn't last long thereafter, however, as a goal just a minute into the second period from Frank Lampard put the Londoners ahead. Their one-goal advantage held out till the end of regular time, and José Mourinho's men appeared headed for the semifinals, but a expertly-finished goal from ex-Blue Fabio Borini from a seemingly impossible angle drew the hosts on level terms and forced extra time. The 30 minutes thereof proved as largely uneventful as the first 90, with the previous 1-all scoreline holding firm throughout, until out of nowhere, in the last minute, Ki Sung-yueng found the bottom corner of Mark Schwarzer's net to win it for the Wearsiders, sending the crowd into delirium and firing his side into the semfinals.
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Unlike the sensational start their midweek opponents have made to the new season, Bolton have carried on their struggles from last term into this one. The Trotters have won just 1 of the opening 8 matches of the Championship season, amassing a mere 5 points from 24, placing them a single place above the relegation zone as things stand. Manager Dougie Freedman will know only too well that with each passing poor result, the pressure on him, and the threat to his job, increase just a little bit more, and could, consequently, very well be viewing this competition as a possible anchor to both ease some of the tension on him and raise his side's confidence in the League, two things which a victory over Chelsea this Wednesday would go a very long way indeed to helping along.

Really hoping for some rotation in this game. I think we'll see it too.


I want to see Baker, Zouma and Ake get some game time, the rest I am not too bothered about.

Let's hope to get back to winning ways here.

Don't think we can underestimate how abjectly awful this side are. Have been for the whole of 2014.


If we can't beat them with a side consisting of a mixture of reserves and youth we don't deserve to be in the next round.

Exactly.

The bad news is, after all our luck last season with scheduling selections, this game will not be televised.



Meaning radio it is

That sucks, no streaming even?

Not that I'm aware of.


Unless yours is one of the ones selected for television coverage, these early-round COC ties usually are radio or nothing.

I don't get any COC games on tv over here

no I don't mean your stations. I'm saying your (in reference to people in general) club's game.

Oh, right.

I'm not sure if it's being covered by any of the radio stations in England but Chelsea TV usually has a live audio feed going during matches, I believe.

I probably won't get up to listen to it on radio

The good news is, with these kind of matches that are untelevised, the club usually airs the game in full on CTV several times throughout the night starting an hour or so after the final whistle.


So if you've got a spare 2 hours or so tomorrow, you're sorted

I need rest ffs.

Kick wrote:I need rest ffs.

^ Is this beneath you, arrogant arsehole?

Yes.

Look, he even looks like you


Take a page out of his book ffs

I'll also, it goes without saying, post any links for the full match and/or highlights should I be able to track down any.

Lets hope not, must have been what took him off against City.

Baker pls

Steve Holland on team selection for tomorrow:

"It is an opportunity to rotate the squad. We will do that for sure. In terms of who definitely is and who definitely isn't play at the moment that's unclear."

"There will be some changes tomorrow and it will be an opportunity for some players to stake a claim."

"I don't think he's tried to specify which goalkeeper will play in which competition. It will be just judged on merit on a week-to-week basis."

"We're very lucky to have two, three, high-level players to choose from. Whatever choice is made we have total confidence in our goalkeepers."

— via the Daily Mail

Steve Holland's press conference this morning in full.