Nathan Jones will warn his Luton players not to be the team against whom Chelsea rediscover their form, as he tries to engineer an FA Cup shock.
Town will go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday very much the underdogs, but with the Blues having picked up just eight Premier League points in their last eight games.
A defeat to high-flying Leicester City on Tuesday has piled the pressure on manager Frank Lampard, while Blues-supporting Hatters forward Harry Cornick wants to be the man to make it worse for Londoners’ all-time record goalscorer.
“We’ll mention that this is not a Chelsea side that has absolutely been hammering teams at the top of the league, but we also know how football can turn,” said the Hatters chief.
“We know that in five weeks this could be the Chelsea team that clicks and is hammering teams. We don’t want to be the team that they found their form against.”
Much of the focus will be on under-fire Blues boss Lampard, as reports have circulated this week that he could be for the chop, despite his legendary status as a player at the club.
Jones said: “As a manager, you’re always under pressure. Five weeks ago, he wasn’t and in five weeks’ time he might not be. There’s no point me trying to second guess anything that we can’t control.”
But with Lampard’s future in the balance, it could see the ex-England international pick the strongest possible in order to avoid a slip-up against the Hatters, but Jones won’t be losing sleep about that.
“You’d drive yourself barmy just trying to second guess it. They have a wonderful squad, whoever they play,” he said.
“I would imagine there’ll be at least ten internationals starting. Maybe 11. Whoever they play it will be a massive, massive test and we’re under no illusions.
“They’re a fantastic club, a fantastic side and we know that it’s going to be extremely tough.”
He added: “What we have to hope for is that they have a chink in their armour, that we find it, exploit it and we have a very, very good day.”
Town fielded nine changes for their third round victory over Reading, giving some of their fringe players some much-needed game time. On Sunday Jones will have virtually a fully fit squad to pick from, plus an anxious wait to see of Tom Lockyer’s red card will be rescinded after the 1-0 Championship defeat to Brentford on Wednesday.
Chelsea’s ranks have such depth that, even if they made wholesale changes, the pitch would be packed with internationals, regardless of their confidence levels.
“It could be one of two things. It could either be the worst fixture they could have, or probably one of the better ones,” said Jones, ahead of his first ever trip to Stamford Bridge.
“What we will do is prepare in a way, that makes us the most potent we could be, while paying a fantastic football club and team the ultimate respect.
“But we won’t plan to give them too much respect. What we’ll do is plan like we do any other game.
“We try to win every game we play and we identify strengths and weaknesses. With Chelsea, they have increased strengths and less weaknesses, for a Championship side to exploit.
“For a team like Leicester, for example, they saw a real opportunity, went for it and took it. If we put in that kind of performance then I will be extremely proud.
“We have to pay them respect, but realise that it’s a game of football and we have to be the best versions of ourselves. If we do that, then we have a chance, and a good chance.”
