John Terry summed it up right when he talked about the lack of attitude amongst the players on Tuesday evening at the Stadio Olympico. There is a thin line between complacency and a poor display, the former is unforgivable. And certain players were complacent, were slightly arrogant even and were definitely not up for it(Mikel being the prime offender). Mistakes can happen, but you need to put in the effort to rectify them. But on Tuesday night we did'nt do that.
John Terry alongside Lampard, Carvalho,Essien,Ballack and Makelele (how we still miss him on nights like that) have epitomized the spirit that has driven this team forward, from the best of times and the worst of times, in the last 5 seasons. But on Tuesday, I think if it is safe to say that the presence of even one out the last 4 could have been the difference between 3-1 and 1-1(or even 1-2).
Gabrielle Marcotti mentioned on his blog in The Times,
'Chelsea are almost impossible to judge. How can you evaluate a side without its centre forward (Didier Drogba hasn't started a game since October 1), its (arguably) best midfielder (Michael Essien) and its highest paid "superstar" (Michael Ballack)? The fact of the matter is that we haven't seen Chelsea yet this season. What we have seen is Scolari churning out results despite the absences, which is a crucially important skill. But we still don't know what the "real" Chelsea will look like. And, make no mistake about it, if Chelsea are going to do the Double (or even come close), they will need the "real" Chelsea to show up.'
I think there are two ways of looking at this, first is ,as Marcotti says, that we have despite all odds done brilliantly well to be in the position we are in. A goal difference of 23 and top of the league, and more crucially a 5 point lead over Manchester Utd, a side that has got a crazy number of matches to play in the next 2 months. All this without our first choice 11 is a remarkable feat.
On the other hand I look at this and wonder if this as good as it gets, Drogba's form is no guarantee. And with our widemen looking as ineffective as John McCain's campaign against the bigger teams, you have to wonder where will that penetration needed in the opposition's box will come from.Also our full backs look magnificent, but the more tactically aware teams know how to counter their threat(refer back to the Liverpool and Man Utd. games).
At the end of the day, you can only trust your manager's ability to keep this squad motivated and flexible enough to get through this period of injury trouble. And for me till Essien comes back, I just cannot see Chelsea playing to the best of their ability. It will require great dexterity on Scolari's part to maintain our challenge on all fronts.
But I believe in Chelsea and over the last 5 seasons that belief has reached a point of no return. And I am hoping that when I catch them in London during Christmas, we are in an even better position.
CAREFREE!!
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