Warnock Sees Chelsea Match As The Ideal Cup Tie For Argyle

NEIL Warnock says Plymouth Argyle’s glamour FA Cup clash against European champions Chelsea is the ideal draw for Steven Schumacher’s Pilgrims.

- Chris Errington

There is likely to be a 40,000 sellout at Stamford Bridge for the fourth round tie, and Argyle will take a 45 per cent share of the net gate receipts, which will be a substantial sum.

It also gives Schumacher and his players the chance to test themselves against Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League high-flyers, as an added bonus to their ongoing push for the League One play-offs.

Former promotion-winning Argyle manager Warnock sent text messages to Schumacher and Andrew Parkinson, the Pilgrims’ chief executive officer, to congratulate them on the 1-0 extra-time win away to Birmingham City.

It turns out that the spectacular 104th minute goal from substitute Ryan Law has earned them an exciting trip to Chelsea, the eight-times FA Cup winners.

Warnock said: “It was a tough game, Birmingham, they are a physical, difficult side and what a great result.

“I congratulated Steven and Andrew before the draw and I just said I would cross my fingers for them, and then to get this (the away tie against Chelsea), I think that’s ideal.