Three Pints of Carling..and a Pimms!

The Clarets were yesterday given the toughest possible draw in the fourth round of the Carling Cup but what an exciting one for the fans and what a great money-spinner for the club.

Yes, we face the mighty Chelsea and a trip to Stamford Bridge to pit our wits against Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.

The tasty last 16 match against last season's beaten finalists will take place on the night of Wednesday 12th November with a 7:45pm kick-off.

I can remember a time, because I'm an old fart when playing Chelsea was no big deal and we stood a good chance of winning home or away. That was the 1960s and 1970s though and a time when Burnley and Tottenham rather than Manchester United and Chelsea were calling the shots in the top flight!

A different world now, even compared to when we last played Chelsea way back in April 1983. In that Second Division match at Turf Moor we beat them 3-0 although fell 2-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.

This statistic may surprise a few of our younger Clarets

Played Chelsea 87 times
Won: 36
Lost: 30
Drawn: 21

Well it is certainly going to be the biggest upset for some time if we can make that 37 wins in November

Owen Coyle may have preferred an easier draw or at least one of the big guns at home but nevertheless he seems reasonably happy and is looking forward to the challenge

'I think you always look for a home draw first and if you can't get that, then an away draw that's winnable!

'We've probably drawn the most difficult tie you could get, with Chelsea away.

'But I would have to say if I was a player in that dressing room, what an opportunity to mix, not only with international players, but world class players.

'We will not be going there to shut up shop. We will be going there to play a game of football. It's 11 v 11 and who knows?

'I have been there before, with St Johnstone going to Rangers and if they have an off night and we are at our very best, then who knows what might happen.'

Who knows what fate holds in store? What team will Chelsea select? Do we have a chance anyway?

Well it's not impossible is it? Ask Barnsley!

Let's just hope whatever happens we can hold our heads high, avoid a rugby score and can say we gave them a game, win or (most probably) lose.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.