Iron manager Mark Robins was delighted his side booked an FA Cup round three tie against Premier League champions Chelsea.
The tie was confirmed following a 3-0 success against Leyton Orient after a brilliant second half performance which saw Neal Bishop’s effort converted by Orient’s Jean Yves M’Voto, Jack King and Hakeeb Adelakun all net.“I’m delighted because it was a hard-fought game,” he told The Iron PlayerHD.
“There was a lot of pressure on the game going into it and I thought we played fantastically well under some difficult circumstances. In the first half, we weren’t positive enough and I’m delighted the players came through it. At the end, we saw a glimpse of what they’re like everyday in training.
“It’s massive for us (to get through) in terms of kudos, in terms of revenue and it gives us a chance to beat Chelsea. That’s the next dream, but we park that now and concentrate on the matter of a local derby on Saturday.”
The second half saw those four goals netted, along with a clean sheet over the course of the game, an impressive 45 minutes in particular at Glanford Park
“It was brilliant and I thought the second half was outstanding,” he continued.
“I thought we came through an initial jittery period and then passed the ball really, really well and the goals were well taken. One was a set-play, a finish from Neal Bishop that should remain Neal Bishop’s and a goal made on a plate for Hakeeb (Adelakun) by Luke Williams.
“Everybody managed to do things a little bit quicker in the second half. They trusted themselves and they’ve gone out and passed the ball better than they have done for some time."
Speaking about the occasion, the United manager was eager to focus on the upcoming festive pile-up in Sky Bet League One, starting with the Sheffield United game on Saturday – although a trip to Stamford Bridge will be an occasion to look forward to.
“It’s magnificent,” he added.
“To go to Stamford Bridge in January, it’s on TV as well, so we can start thinking about that. It’s brilliant, because revenue for the club is massively important. As a player, you are looking to play against the best players.
“We’ve got to go there and enjoy the experience and you never know; it’s the FA Cup. It’s almost a free game as you’re expected to lose because let’s face it they have world class players and the best manager in the world who has won unbelievable amounts of things.
“He’s someone every manager aspires to be like, so hopefully some of that rubs off on me (laughs).”
See much more from Mark Robins, Hakeeb Adelakun and Scott Laird on The Iron PlayerHD.
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