DEAN Windass predicts James Hanson can ruffle Chelsea’s feathers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday – just like he used to.

Hanson dominated some of the Premier League’s best defenders in City’s historic run to the Capital One Cup final two seasons ago.

And Windass, who had a good scoring record against the Blues in his time, can see the big man giving Chelsea’s much-vaunted back four a testing afternoon. City have already been dismissed as no-hopers for the eagerly-awaited FA Cup clash. But Windass cannot see them going out with a whimper.

He said: “I respect Phil Parkinson for the way that he has gone with two up front every time they have come up against Premier League opposition.

“Normally teams will park the bus and stick everyone back behind the ball but you try that against Chelsea and they will pick you off.

“Playing two strikers will hopefully give them something to think about, especially with big James. There will be a defining moment in the game when you get an opportunity to put that set-piece in the box. We know James will ruffle a few feathers.

“Look what he did to Per Mertesacker and Ron Vlaar when Bradford beat Arsenal and Aston Villa. He was just too strong for them.

“I’m sure Terry and Cahill, or whoever plays, know they will be in a game with him around at free-kicks and corners.”

Windass often proved a thorn in Chelsea’s side and famously netted the first goal in City’s 2-0 win at Valley Parade in August 2000.

He had also scored twice against them for Oxford in the FA Cup and brought up his 100th career goal on his Middlesbrough debut at Stamford Bridge.

Windass also made his final Boro outing there in an FA Cup tie in 2003 – and caused a major goal-mouth fracas that saw home goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini sent off for retaliation.

Windass barged the Italian into the net as he went to catch a free-kick on his line and players from both sides bundled in.

“The ball came in and I knew I wasn’t getting there,” said Windass. “So I made sure that Cudicini wasn’t catching it either and smashed him!

“I remember (Marcel) Desailly kneed me in the face in the goal-mouth and everyone piled into each other. They didn’t seem very happy about it and there was a lot of banter going on – then Cudicini got sent off.

“It’s going to be a different kettle of fish at Stamford Bridge now because you’re up against a team that will probably go on and win the Premier League.

“You don’t know what Jose Mourinho is going to do but even if he rests players, it’s going to be a very strong outfit.

“But look at Bradford’s track record in the cup before. They’ve got to take confidence from turning over Premier League teams in the past and will be ready to give a real go.”