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Tonight, Chelsea take on Schalke on match day four of our Champions League group and the return fixture from a fortnight ago. One thing is for sure – after defeat to Newcastle, we cannot afford to be complacent!
Chelsea have a real chance to take hold of the group with a win tonight with two games remaining, at Basel and then at home to Steaua Bucharest and Jose Mourinho has warned the players to refocus their efforts. He said:
“The problem for me was just the attitude. I want my team to be much more than it was against Newcastle. Against Everton I lost and I was not so unhappy – we lost because we were not lucky. We play really, really well and we couldn’t score. I accept it as a football match and can happen.
This match against Newcastle, I was frustrated, because I want my team to be always active – and proactive, not reactive and waiting for things to happen. I want better from my team.
You play Arsenal away, you play Man City, you know you have to be in the top of your level, and you are – you are in the top of your concentration. And suddenly you get a match where you become a little bit complacent. It’s the mistake of not just the football player; it’s the mistake of the human being.
Before the game maybe I was also influenced the way by they grew up so fast as a team and the way they so fast could compete and play in the way they did that week.
They also coped very, very well with the pressure when we put ourselves in a difficult position in the Champions League. After that, the players reacted so well in the pressure to go and win six crucial points.
When you win a lot, you cannot forget why you win. You cannot think you win because you have a nice shirt, or you are in a good run, or in a lucky moment. When you think that, you are in trouble.
You never can forget why you are winning matches, and maybe we forgot.”
Looking back now at Newcastle and I have said it before on here, maybe that was a kick up the arse we needed and having to wait four days and digest our performance will knock us back down a peg or two!
The thing to remember is that we ALL have a conscience. Footballers will know themselves that they have under performed or had a bad game and do not need anyone telling them.
These past few days would have been really hard on them and they will be itching to get out there tonight to put things right. Expect a big, big performance from the team as they react to what has happened.
As posted on here previously, it’s being reported that Jose Mourinho will be dropping some big names and will rotate his players to freshen things up with the likes of David Luiz and Frank Lampard being touted as those players. Whether that happens is another thing so we will just have to wait and see.
One thing is for sure, Schalke need to be warned because Chelsea are a wounded animal right now and are looking to bounce back tonight!
If Chelsea can refocus, get their act together and play the way we all know they can, I expect a big, big win tonight!
Beware Schalke! Chelsea are a wounded lion waiting to bite back!
