Scolari set to do Southend no favours

January 3, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to reverse his decision to rest a number of first-team players when the Blues begin their FA Cup campaign at home to third-tier Southend on Saturday.

Scolari was contemplating giving some of his squad this match off to recharge their batteries after a gruelling fixture list.

However, the 2-2 draw with west London rivals Fulham in the Premier League last Sunday has convinced him otherwise and he subsequently ordered his players in for a meeting, which according a report in the Daily Mail developed into a "full-scale slanging match," to discuss the performance.

But the former Brazil and Portugal manager says he has been buoyed by the positive response from his players and is now ready for his first FA Cup match, against League One Southend.

"Before we went to training, we had a good team meeting," said Scolari, whose side trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by three points.

"I have had the chance to watch again the Fulham game and, with my players, we talked about all of that before going out for a good training session.

"Now we begin to look ahead to my first FA Cup game, against Southend, a game we must be ready for, as if we are playing a team in first, second or third position in the Premier League."

Chelsea, who last won the Cup in 2007, are expected to be without Brazilian defender Alex for the match at Stamford Bridge after he limped out against Fulham with a hamstring problem.

France winger Florent Malouda is also expected to miss out after suffering the same injury in the same match.

However, Scolari has been boosted by the return of Ricardo Carvalho.

The Portugal centre-back replaced Alex on Sunday having not played since he injured his knee in October.

But the 30-year-old Carvalho will have to wait to resurrect his partnership with Chelsea captain John Terry, who will be serving the final game of his three-match suspension.

One player grateful the England defender will be missing at set-pieces will be Steve Mildenhall, the Southend goalkeeper.

Mildenhalls previous appearance at Stamford Bridge saw him concede four goals while playing for Notts County in the League Cup in October 2003.

However, Mildenhall is relishing his second visit to the Premier League giants and sees no reason why the Shrimpers, who are 13th in League One, cannot cause an upset.

"When you play any Premier League side, it gives you the chance to pit your wits against the best teams and players in your profession," Mildenhall said.

"To get one of the top four and away from home means it is going to be a nice day out for the supporters.

"But when we get there, we wont be looking at it as a day out, we will be looking to do a job and get a positive result out of it.

"As much as people have us as the underdogs, you cant afford to go there believing you cant beat them."

Written by: AFP

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