Chelsea arrive at Roots Hall for their FA Cup third round replay having triumphed in just one of their last six games and Tilson wants his side to take full advantage.
Tilly told the Southend Evening Echo: "We will try to stay in the game for as long as we can and the longer it goes the more nervous they will get. They haven't had the best of times just lately and hopefully we can take advantage of that. They are fantastic and are still one of the best sides in the world, we have to believe in ourselves, but at the same time we remain realistic. They are in the top two of the Premier League and we're in League One. There's always a section for the weaknesses in our opponents which I put up on the board, but when it comes to playing Chelsea I just leave it blank. I'm sure they will put their best side out."
Shrimpers packed into the ground are being urged to add plenty of colour to tomorrow's clash with the west Londoners. The club handed out thousands of flags for the first game at Stamford Bridge, as well as for the play-off match against Doncaster Rovers last May, and the Shrimpers' director of commercial services Garry Adamson wants to see supporters waving them again this Wednesday.
Adamson said: "In the space of the last six months we've given out around 10,000 flags and we want the fans to bring them with them for this game. It's a sell-out which is fantastic news and the supporters can really make a difference. When the players come out at the start we want the hairs on the back of their necks to be standing up. We want everyone to wear their colours, make plenty of noise and hopefully cheer us on to an unbelievable result."
The supporters organisation The Blue Voice are also determined to improve the atmosphere at Roots Hall at all games, not just the Cup replay.
Spokesman Lee Smith said: "The message is to sing up everyone, show your pride and passion and let's roar the lads on. We have the ability to be the most passionate fans around, as demonstrated against Southampton and Doncaster in the recent past. So let's make those occasions more of a regular thing, especially at the Hall. As the players mentioned in the previous encounter we were the 12th man and we helped them get the result. So take note of that and let's really make a massive effort. With us all behind the lads as one, we can achieve great things. A rocking atmosphere is most definitely needed, as we are on the box and we need to show the world how good we are in the stands, as well as on the pitch. I don't think I've ever seen such wild celebrations among our fans before, (at Stamford Bridge), it was pure mayhem in the Shed End and more of the same would be brilliant. But we're up against one of the best teams in the world so the team need our support more than ever. And regardless of the score, let's just enjoy the occasion and have a real party in the stands."
Hear, Hear to that.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!! (The original ones!)