[themaclad]

Chelsea v Preston North End
Stamford Bridge 6/1/2024

MANAGER





Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero (Spanish pronunciation: [mawˈɾisjo potʃeˈtino]; born 2 March 1972) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Premier League club Chelsea.

Pochettino played as a centre back and began his career in 1989 with Primera División club Newell's Old Boys, winning a league title and finishing as runner-up in the 1992 Copa Libertadores. In 1994, he transferred to newly promoted La Liga club Espanyol, helping establish their top-flight status and winning the 2000 Copa del Rey, their first trophy in 60 years. In 2001, he joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, and then had a stint with Bordeaux before returning to Espanyol in 2004, winning another Copa del Rey in 2006.[3] Pochettino was capped 20 times for the Argentina national team and played at the 1999 Copa América and 2002 FIFA World Cup.

After retiring as a player, Pochettino began his managerial career at Espanyol in 2009. He left the club in 2012 after poor results and financial disputes. In 2013, he was appointed at Premier League club Southampton, leading them to an eighth-place finish that season – equalling their highest ever Premier League finish. He signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 and finished as league runner-up in the 2016–17 season, as well as leading the club to their maiden Champions League final. He was dismissed in 2019 after a string of poor results,[4] and in 2021, joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France. He left one year later. In May 2023, he was appointed head coach of Chelsea.

INS AND OUTS



IN THE GROOVE



WE'VE MET BEFORE



The 2-1 defeat in 1969 was a Monday afternoon game after the first attempt had been abandoned, we led until the 90th minuye, Chelsea scored two late goals to win it. I was in a Chemistry lesson

LAST TIME OUT






https://www.chelseafc.com/en

https://www.theshedend.com/topic/36414-c...-1730-gmt/

HISTORY

On 27 November 1974, the London unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army exploded twin bombs on Tite Street, injuring 20 people

[themaclad]

Who’s Available?

Ryan Lowe should be able to choose from the same squad which was named at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, with the potential addition of Robbie Brady.

The left-sider went off injured in the defeat to Swansea City on 22nd December and missed the next three fixtures, but he returned to training on Thursday and will be assessed ahead of the weekend.

Jack Whatmough will miss out for the second successive match due to a knee injury, with the club waiting for a second opinion on that particular issue.

Opposition Focus


Chelsea, under new management in Mauricio Pochettino this season, currently sit tenth in the Premier League and head into the weekend following back-to-back wins.

The Stamford Bridge side had a busy summer, bringing a number of players in for big-money fees, including the likes of Moisés Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.

The latter will be unavailable due to involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, while they also have a number of injury concerns, however Ben Chilwell may be back involved for the first time since September after being pictured in training.

Match Officials


Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistant Referees: Wade Smith and Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Keith Stroud
VAR: Tony Harrington
Support VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood

Thomas Bramall, who refereed PNE’s Lancashire derby victory over Blackburn Rovers in November, will take charge of this match. Bramall has refereed 14 matches so far this season, showing 59 yellow cards and one red.

Saturday will also be the first time VAR has been used in a North End fixture, with Tony Harrington the main official behind the technology.

MACS VIEW

Well he's not yet been sacked, he's now blaming the press for apparently mis quoting him on his comments re the Cup tie, his comments about knowing they had lost by haf time on Monday, should have also brought the sack.
Two polls conducted both gave that over 90% wanted him potted.
Better play a full strength team otherwise the atmosphere could be extremely poisonous, his time should be approaching the end, but have those behind the scenes got the bollocks to do it

[themaclad]

Chelsea 4 Broja, Silva, Sterling, Fernandez Preston North End 0

Chelsea line-up: Petrović; Gilchrist (Silva, 61), Disasi, Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernández (Golding, 89); Sterling, Palmer (Gallagher, 76), Mudryk (Madueke, 61); Broja (Deivid, 76). Subs not used: Bettinelli, Bergström, Maatsen, Williams.

PNE line-up: Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes (Best, 74); Potts, Browne, Whiteman (Holmes, 87), McCann (Ledson, 88), Millar; Osmajić (Riis, 64), Keane (Evans, 64). Subs not used: Cornell, Cunningham, Frøkjær, Woodburn.

Attendance: 39,705 (5,961 PNE fans)

Referee: Mr T Bramall.

Top day although having been up for 20 hours does knacker you a bit, early appearence on BBC I Player which seem to enhance my bald patch, journey down took in a detour of leafy foggy Cheshire due to an inability of a lorry not to hit a motorway bridge.

A wander round the Old Brompton cemetary interesting place for those that are still living that is, some exceedingly old graves in there.
Slightly over the top security but almost decent front row seats.
Team wise, raised a smile when they read out the home side, Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Palmer and Mudryk not much change out of 300 million and on the bench for PNE Ben Woodburn. Fair play to Potch put out a strongish side
First half did all that was expected of them defended well, only two good chances for Chelsea, Sterling brought a good save from Sterling and Palmer missed a sitter, a couple of half chances Keane with a tame shot and Osmajic who maybe should have taken into a couple of strides further but comfortable save from the keeper.
Millar was a handful in the first period gave the young full back a tough time, but it was a well marshalled home defence with Disasi who never wasted a ball, he is a man who was truly made from rock, he is a giant.
Scoreless at half time and were well in the tie.
Early run by Millar but then the class of the home side eventually shone through, three goals in about 8 minutes killed the tie stone dead, for a side who are apparently crap in the air, the first two goals came from headers, first ball in from the left good header by Broja, second Tiago made a late run at a corner no ne picked him up, past Woodman at the near post, third Steling free kick which was always going in, after that it was damage limitations, they only got one they could have scored a few more. Fernandez tapped in from close range disallowed  by the linesman  but following a 12 hour VAR check it was given.
Millar, McCann were exceptional in the first period but it's a different game as you go up againt top tier sides, however Championship fans are far superior to Prem fans, ours were different class yesterday quite magnificent.