Do you think our recent battering of Chelscum helps- or hurts- our chances in the final?

[TwanYid]

Not asking whether we'll win or not; rather, I'm wondering what affect you think that New Year's Day game will have on the match at Wembley.

Personally, I think it's gonna be tough to pull of yet another massive win against them, particularly in such a short amount of time. I'm sure Mourinho'll be showing them footage of that match to the point that they'll want to murder us. Plus, as the old NFL adage goes, it's tough to beat a good team twice.

But I'm a glass half empty guy. What say you?

 

[whatislifewithoutspurs]

Definitely helps! I would rather face them in a cup final after thrashing them 5-3 than losing 5-1. It gives our players the belief that they are able to win and in a cup final, mentality more often than not is the key to success.

 

[littlemandefoe]

we are so fucked

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Hurts and helps. On one hand Mourinho and Chelsea will be out for revenge and they are the type of team with the type of mentality to do just that (especially with extra rest). On the other hand our players will have the belief that they can win (even if they go down a goal).

Personally don't think we'll win, but sure hope we do.

 

[neptunes]

Poor reasoning. A final is a final, totally different approach completely. As much as they will seek revenge, our p,ayers will be as much as pumped up as theirs. COYS.

 

[arunspurs]

If Mourinho can lose 2-4 to Bradford at home, 2 weeks after losing 5-3 to us, then we can certainly beat them again.
My point being, their defeat was not a blip. They are beatable. Our players know it now.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Helps. Confidence is such a huge factor. Everyone knows how dangerous Chelsea can be on their day. But everyone also knows that they are very guilty of complacency. We keep our heads, take the game to them like last time, and they'll lose theirs. Again.

 

[Mullers]

It helps because now the players know they are capable of beating Chelsea, they should have belief and confidence going into the final.

 

[WestBelfast Spurs]

id put money on Jose not starting Cahill in the final

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Cahill, Ivanovic or Matic. They were ALL blitzed on new years day.

 

[JerryGarcia]

They'll be out for revenge and fired up, I don't like diving but we should be trying every trick in the book to wind them up to the point they get someone sent off. It's a Mourinho team and they'll be close to the edge anyway, they'll just need a little push.

 

[kd2000]

personally don't think it matters a jot about the previous game/ games. Players prepare themselves for a one off game and alongside that the expectation placed upon them is greater. How they handle the pressure of the expectation is more of an important factor than any game previous. If you win or lose in the premiership it's just 3 points and there are always more to play for. Lose at Wembley and thats that, you get to watch the oppositions ecstasy and you go home distraught. For such a young team this could be terrible to confidence or a major boost in confidence to carry through until the seasons end.

 

[kr1978]

Helps definitely IMO, we know we can beat them and they know we can beat them, that will be in both sides minds at least a little bit.

 

[TaoistMonkey]

No doubt they will cowardly sit back for the majority of the game and try and counter instead of trying to beat us properly.

 

[dagraham]

Have to agree with the OP.

Of course it gives the players belief that we can beat them, but Mourinho will not take us lightly and I'm betting that they play a much more cautious game and go all out to nullify our strengths.

 

[Locotoro]

If we can really get at them in the first 20 mins and cause them to be shaky for a spell then the 5-3 defeat will be right there at the front of their minds

 

[Darth Vega]

Belief is everything in football. After already losing 3-0 to them, I don't think a home loss would have helped. We'd be entering the final knowing they could beat us for the third time in just a matter of months. Mourinho will obviously set up his team differently and they'll be wiser to the threat of Kane e.t.c. but Pochettino will make adjustments of his own I'm sure.

 

[teok]

No effect really in my opinion. Maybe our lads will have a bit more confidence but it's a cup final.

 

[bubble07]

what will matte more is tiredness after our europa away game on thursday

 

[Mr Pink]

Belief and confidence are massive. Chelsea will give us more respect and their approach will reflect that no doubt, but in terms of what we're doing and in control of, its massive IMO.

We didn't freeze when the chances presented themselves first time around, we took them. Absolutely no reason why we can't take them again if we play well enough on the day.

Still going to be very tough regardless, they're a well oiled machine with one of the best managers around.

But I'm definitely more confident given what happened a month ago, and I'm sure Pochettino and the players are to. So yeah the fact that it happened only serves to help.