Forest chief Calderwood relishing ‘mouth-watering’ Chelsea trip
The east midlanders’ trip to Stamford Bridge was the pick of the draw which also saw Portsmouth drawn against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Forest secured their place in the next round with a 2-0 win over Premiership strugglers Charlton at the City Ground on Saturday. And Calderwood admitted he is excited by the chance to pit his wits against Jose Mourinho.
“It’s a fantastic draw for us,” he said. “The fact that it’s an away draw and we’re going to Stamford Bridge really whets the appetite because it’s a chance for us to enjoy a touch of glamour. There’s no denying the thought of playing Chelsea is a mouth-watering prospect.”
Portsmouth assistant manager Tony Adams is relishing a return to Manchester United despite a 3-0 Premiership “battering” by Alex Ferguson’s team there in November.
Adams warned: “We can’t afford to go there with anything other than a full-strength team. It will be a tough tie in front of nearly 80,000 at Old Trafford and the last time we were there we got battered. We went there with key players missing and you can’t expect too much when you do that.
“We would fancy our chances against anyone at Fratton Park but this is a real test and we will have to perform to the maximum to survive it.
“But it is also the kind of occasion you are in the game for and we’ll give it our best shot.”
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce accepts his team will be hard pressed to progress when they face Arsenal in the fourth round despite his side’s good record against the Gunners.
He said: “I would have preferred to play them later in the competition because it is going to be a very difficult tie for us.
“Arsenal are starting to find the form that made them such a formidable side in recent years and they will be massive favourites against us.
“They remain unbeaten at the Emirates this season and, even though they have drawn a few at home, it will be a formidable task for us to go there and win or even bring them back to the Reebok for a replay.”
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins admitted he would have preferred a tie against a glamour side after the Swans were handed an away draw against either Chester or Ipswich.
The south Wales side qualified for the fourth round with a 3-0 victory at Premiership Sheffield United.
“We were looking for one of the big guns away but saying that playing at Ipswich or Chester is something to look forward to, especially with our last three away games in the competition which we won comfortably.”
Premiership strugglers West Ham and Watford, both in the relegation zone, will meet at Upton Park in a distraction from league affairs.
The draw also raised the possibility of Newcastle hosting Reading but both sides must first ensure their place in the fourth round.
West Brom could be making the visit to Wolves in the next round should Mick McCarthy’s side overcome Oldham in a replay.
Middlesbrough will play at Bristol City or Coventry if they can beat Championship Hull at the second attempt, while Blackburn’s face a trip to Luton or QPR.
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