Source: Team_Talk
Rodgers wary of Chelsea quality
Rodgers, 36, was Jose Mourinho's first appointment as Chelsea boss and spent four years as reserve-team manager at Stamford Bridge before being handed the opportunity to replace Adrian Boothroyd at Vicarage Road last November.[LNB]The Hornets have won just five games since then but come up against a Chelsea side this afternoon who are in a slump of their own.[LNB]Monday's sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari and the subsequent appointment of Guus Hiddink came after the Blues slipped seven points adrift of leaders Manchester United in the Premier League.[LNB]But Rodgers dismisses claims that the off-field events will help his side come kick-off.[LNB]He said: "As soon as the draw was made, myself, the supporters and the players were already looking forward to it, and in the week before it becomes more significant.[LNB]"It is a great game for us and another great occasion, but the bottom line for me is we have a chance to get through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Whether it is Chelsea or anyone else, that's my aim.[LNB]"Nobody knows better than myself the quality of the players in the club having been there, but I also know my players have terrific qualities as well.[LNB]"People have said to me it is a good time to play Chelsea.[LNB]"For me it will be a difficult game whenever we play them, but I have confidence in my players that when they perform to the level they can, they can cause any team problems."[LNB]Rodgers will be aided as ever by football consultant Frank Lampard Snr who will provide some extra information on his son who should be a key figure in midfield.[LNB]And the Northern Irishman is aware players of the class of Lampard Jnr have the ability to lift themselves above any distraction to perform in every game.[LNB]He said: "It's one of the significant differences I have noticed in my time working with players, that big players can lift themselves for every game, every occasion, whereas players at a lesser level can only do it for certain games and certain occasions.[LNB]"But, as professionals, they have an obligation to work at their game to allow them to produce it more times than not."[LNB][LNB]
