In Carheex defence, we lost to Man U in Kenny's first game, and we lost putting in a passionate performance and losing only 1-0. And that's with 10 men. That's hardly a disastrous result. It WAS an improvement on the previous form.
And the same can happen against Chelsea, who are no mugs in the FA Cup. There's no remarks column, only who won. This trophy will bring real meaning back to the season, because 8th + the Carling Cup is a disaster. I think we have every bit as much chance as Chelsea of winning in such a one-off game regardless of our manager, but I'd rather change personnel away from such a cauldron of emotion.
For what it's worth, I don't think winning the cup will influence any decision as to whether FSG keep him or not. No matter what happens we will have had our worst league campaign (despite massive investment) since we last got relegated - that on it's own should be enough to warrant a change in management.
I'm not going to try defend Kenny because the league performance simply hasn't been good enough, but I doubt that it's as easy as you say to sack a manager who wins 2 trophies in his first full season at the club. I know the final is only one game, but he got us there, and if he lifts that cup as well it shows he still has some merit. Rafa was very poor in the league for his first two seasons as well (that "other time" Everton finished above us in the EPL was under his first season watch), but he won enough other things (and the league was lopsided enough) that he had time to adjust.
Are we to not grant Kenny the same leeway because our league campaign wheels fell off in January while Suarez was banned? 
