Neil Dewsnip, Mark Hughes and Steven Schumacher

Dewsnip pleased with exciting cup tie

It may be four weeks away, but excitement is already building for the Greens' Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie at Stamford Bridge to take on European champions Chelsea.

The reaction from supporters has been mirrored by players and staff members at the club and our Director of Football, Neil Dewsnip, has identified it as a perfect opportunity for the club to impress.

Speaking after the draw was made, he said, “We’re very excited and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the players to show what they can do against the best team in Europe.

“There are a lot of things going on that are very, very positive. 

“We just want to keep on building and improving because there is still just under half of the season left.”

The glamour tie against last season’s UEFA Champions League winners is reward for a superb display in the third round when a late Ryan Law goal gave the Greens a 1-0 victory over Sky Bet Championship side Birmingham City.

That performance and result demonstrated the strides that Argyle have made on the pitch over the course of this season and Neil is confident they can continue to improve.

He said, “Chelsea are the European champions so it’s a wonderful opportunity for all of our players to show what everyone can do.

“As a footballer you surely strive to be the best you can be and to play against the best you can play against. 

“Chelsea is probably the least important fixture for the rest of the season but it’s the most exciting.

“Do we want to go and beat Chelsea? Absolutely, we will be going there trying our best, that is for sure, but the league is at the top of our priority list for the rest of the season.”

Having not played Chelsea for over 30 years, and with games against Premier League giants hard to come by, demand for tickets is likely to be high.

Details on how and when supporters can purchase tickets will be outlined in the near future, but what is certain, is that the Green Army will travel to London in their numbers.

Just under 3,000 fans made the journey to Birmingham in round three and Neil is expecting Stamford Bridge to be a sea of Green.

He said, “There has been an amazing reaction from everyone. 

“The supporters must be incredibly excited and the support on Saturday [against Birmingham] was incredible - I am hoping we could have the same sort of noise and support against Chelsea as well.

“I want the whole stadium green, it will be an amazing occasion. Saturday against Birmingham was great, but I am sure this will be a bigger version – I cannot wait.”

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