Chris Hughton insists Birmingham will "put everything" into trying to pull off an FA Cup shock at Chelsea even if it impacts on their hopes of gaining promotion from the Championship.
Hughton has guided Blues into the top six after a mass summer exodus of players at the cash-strapped club following their relegation from the Premier League.
City have achieved this with a small squad of players at Hughton's disposal despite an eight-game Europa League programme and now a run to the last 16 of the FA Cup. But Hughton is determined to try to register a big upset at Stamford Bridge even though injuries to strikers Nikola Zigic and Marlon King mean they will be short of firepower.
He said: "We are in the same situation here as when we had to marry up the league fixtures with the Europa League. But this is what we have and, one thing I can guarantee you, is that there will be genuine excitement in that Chelsea dressing room to go out and get a win.
"Even with the fixture problems it could cause us, there isn't anyone in the club, players and fans, that won't want us to try and win a game on Saturday against one of the top clubs.
"If we are able to do that, we will be delighted. This will be a massive test but whichever way it goes, it is certainly one we will enjoy. It is a very welcome distraction away from the league campaign and one that has filled us with excitement, going to Chelsea with the quality they have and the stadium."
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The difference in class will be very apparent and I don't give us a chance.
In spite of CH's upbeat words this game is one we don't need.
Just hope that the players and their morale aren't damaged come the end of it.
Buster...we had Wood with us ...how a deal couldn't be done with Snivling little Ridgewell going to baggies i don't know???????????...but i guess it's cash for the pot noodle festering in Hong Kong
Didn't mean go out for a draw Buster,I don't think that's Hughtons style.just saying if we can only get a draw there then we've got every chance back home where things should be more even.Places like stamford bridge,old trafford you're not just playing against eleven men.
..........we were scoring goals and winning before the big man was fit and playing..for the rest of the season we have to go for wins ...if you go for draws we will start losing.....wins blues....kro ,,,buster...gut
If anybody can Chris can.I know we will have to give them a one goal head start with a dodgy penalty or freekick,and i know we've got a 12' striker who everytime he kicks the ball spends 3 months on the side line,but there's a good vibe around the Fortress St.andrews lets battle hard and get them back to the Brummie battle ground.KRO.
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