BARROW AFC head coach Stephen Clemence says his side are focused on giving their all in tonight’s huge cup clash.
The Bluebirds will battle it out against Premier League giants Chelsea in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge.
Having beaten Championship side Derby County on penalties in the previous round, Barrow were rewarded with the prize of a trip to the capital to face Chelsea.
There has been a huge buzz around the game since the draw was made, but Clemence has been delighted that his side have remained focused on the job at hand.
He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “I think since the draw was made everyone has been quite excited, but we’ve had to try to remain focused on the job we have in front of us which is our league form.
“That’s been good, and I wanted to go into this game in a good position in the league, and we are going into it top of the table.
“We are determined to go there and enjoy it, but generally you only enjoy football games if you perform, and that’s what we are aiming to do.”
“I have to say I was slightly worried when the draw was made. I thought is the focus going to go towards the Chelsea game?
“I haven’t wanted to talk about it in the press too much, but the players have been great.”
Clemence says everyone at the club is hoping to put on a good display for the blue and white faithful.
He added: “We are all looking forward to it. I’m really looking forward to seeing our fans there.
“I think someone told me at the weekend we have something like 2,600 travelling down, which is fantastic on a Tuesday night.
“I hope they all enjoy their night. The boys will give it their absolute all, and let’s see what we can and do.”
Clemence is obviously aware of the David v Goliath style challenge facing his team, but he has told his side to make sure they make the Premier League stars work hard.
“We know Chelsea are a very talented club, and have talented players, a great squad and great manager, so we know it is going to be very, very tough,” he said.
“They might cut us open, and I’m sure at times they will.
“I think our goalkeeper will have to play well if we are going to get any kind of result, but what you don’t want is to give them any goals, and we’ve been pretty good so far this season with our defensive record.
“And we want to make sure we go to Chelsea and give a good account of ourselves.
“If they are going to beat us, let it be through quality and not through us making mistakes.
“Then when we have the ball, we’ve got to make sure we enjoy it and take the game to them.
“I don’t expect us to have as much of the ball as we do in League Two, but we’ve got some ideas going forward that we will try to use, and can we create something?
“It’s a game of football. You never know what can happen.”
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