Wiseman: I can handle Chelsea’s chargers
HAVING faced Poland goal machine Robert Lewandowski and man-marked Germany’s Thomas Muller, Scunthorpe defender Scott Wiseman will not be overawed by Chelsea’s charging bulls this afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Wiseman, 30, has two years of international experience with Gibraltar and is used to combating the combination of skill and physical prowess offered by Chelsea stars such as Oscar and Diego Costa.
He said: “Costa is a handful for any team but you know what to expect with him and we know what we are up against. Of all the players I have come up against, the best has been Rober t Lewandowski. He was untouchable and scored four when Poland beat us 7-0 in 2014. I like to think I’m a fit guy, but next to guys like him you feel next to nothing.”
Scunthorpe manager Mark Robins has FA Cup pedigree, having come off Manchester United’s bench 26 years ago this week to nod in the goal that beat Nottingham Forest and bought Alex Ferguson time in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Robins also scored the semifinal winner against Oldham.
Now, a positive result at Stamford Bridge would add a managerial chapter of his own.
“You never know,” said Robins. That’s why the television cameras are there. But what I would say is that we would have to play beyond our wildest dreams and they would have to have an off day.”
Meanwhile Louis van Gaal claims he doesn’t feel threatened by Pep Guardiola’s imminent arrival in the Premier League, as he is counting down to the end of his career.
Manchester City are favourites to appoint Guardiola, who announced earlier this week he would leave Bayern Munich for England in the summer, and Old Trafford remains a possible destination.
Van Gaal’s future is in doubt following a mid-season slump, but the Dutchman refuses to worry about Guardiola when he has 18 months left on his contract at United.
“I’m at the end of my career, so for me it’s not so interesting,” said Van Gaal. “It’s interesting how I take care of United and after this season I still have one year to go. I have received a contract of three years and these are the same goals as when I came here.”
Asked if it was right for Guardiola to announce his plans to move to England in mid-season, when it was likely to impact on managers working in the Premier League, Van Gaal added: “Yes, but every manager has the right to announce that. It’s not for sure he will be the manager of a Premier League club because the club are also part of a contract, so he has to move here.
“It’s not so strange. Managers also have ambition and Pep Guardiola has that ambition too. He wants to sniff the culture of England and the Premier League, and I wanted that also. It won’t interfere with his club now.” - Daily Mail