This afternoon Chelsea face Spurs at White Hart Lane, in what begins a run of matches that could shape the destiny of our domestic campaign.
After Spurs, our two following matches are against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge then Arsenal at the Cameldome. If November felt bad, December could end a lot worse.
Tottenham have been in good form recently and have surprised almost everyone with the Champions League performances and group standing, whereas we know only too well how our recent run of matches has ended.
This match could be the turning point in our recent horrible run of form, everything is pointing to a win for Tottenham. We’re still missing key players, and Bale vs Ferreira looks a nightmare waiting to happen.
Yet how many times in the past has the underdog (and we are the underdog in this match) surprised everyone? Tottenham are flying, that could turn to complacency.
Chelsea are stabilising, if Carlo’s words are to be taken at face value, how much could that steady the boat and allow the players to concentrate on the football?
In terms of personnel available to Ancelotti, Lampard is still one more week away from returning to action and may play in a practice match on Thursday, ahead of the United match. Terry is fit yet Bosingwa can’t play after his injury midweek.
Speaking about the reasons behind our recent slump, Ancelotti noted; “I think there is more than one reason.
The first is maybe the players are not 100 percent fit, the second is that we played too slow and the third is we need more focus when we shoot.”
Expanding on his reasoning, he said; “First I think that I can speak about Didier. Didier is not fit 100 percent, he had malaria and this caused fitness problems. He is not quick enough in this moment.”
“The second reason is maybe we are too slow to arrive in front, so there is no space to pass the ball to our players. When I say that we play too slow from the back, I think this is one of the reasons we had more difficulties to score,” said the Italian.
“But if we look at the game against Birmingham we had many chances to score but missed the last passes or the shots, so this is maybe the third reason.”
Michael Essien certainly believes we can turn the corner, stating that we have the players to do the job.
“It is always very difficult to go to White Hart Lane, but we do have the players to do it. We just have to play our game, concentrate on our football and come out onto the pitch with a winning spirit. The game plan is simple, go out there and get the three points.”
“We focus on the game, not the crowd. We know they will be singing and shouting and it’s down to us to concentrate, play our football and try to win the game. We have to get ourselves back to winning ways. We were a bit unlucky against Everton, but now it is time for us to turn things around because we have not been winning games and it is not good.”
Speaking about his role in the team, Essien noted; “My role hasn’t changed, I just try to follow the attack, I manage to get some goals but without Lamps I haven’t tried to get more forward.”
“I always work hard for the team and I just want the team to win three points no matter who we play. That’s what’s most important to me.”
To us too Michael, so go out there and get them this afternoon, and play like Champions.
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