Post 'Boro Notes
Looking at the press reports of our victory over Middlesbrough, it would appear that Chelsea were criminally lucky to return to London with 3 points. Obviously 'Boro were desperately unlucky to have taken nothing from this game. I beg to differ.
Fair play to our opponents: Chelsea may have scored a late match-winner to trouser everything from the game, and, indeed, were placed under sustained pressure for much of the second half. Yet the Blues came from that patch unscathed, despite the youth that Claudio Ranieri decided to throw on the pitch. That is the mark also of a good side: we can survive and, indeed, prosper despite the adversity.
Indeed, a look at the match statistics is revealing in redressing a problem of perception. Chelsea enjoyed most of the possession (56%), we had 6 shots on target to 'Boro's 3, not to mention 8 corners to the home side's 2. If there is any doubt about the fact that the scoreline was a fair reflection on the relative merits of both teams, it can also be found in the fact that Middlesbrough made 10 shots off target to Chelsea's 4. We were, simply, more accurate and more deadly. Sustained pressure is one thing, finding the opportunity and making the most of it is another.
Middlesbrough's manager, Steve Maclaran will rue the fact that he came out of this game with nothing, but that is also his role - to put a positive spin on events. Claudio Ranieri, gentleman as ever, preferred to agree, suggesting that the home side deserved a draw. The stark facts show otherwise, not to mention the fact that after a disastrous game on Wednesday, it was important to return Chelsea's season to its course.
Make no mistake about it, the media had their knives out for us after the Besiktas disaster. Yet our record over 11 competitive games is 9 won, one drawn and one lost. No other Premiership team can boast that. None. I'll happily take one defeat in over 10 games.
Claudio Ranieri's rotation policy was widely credited with having caused the defeat to the Turkish giants. Claudio defiantly continued mixing and tinkering, using the squad depth to great effect, and making 7 changes on the team that started against Besiktas. Some of those changes were forced by knocks and injuries. Others were tactical. Whether or not we scraped home the 3 points or these were richly deserved is immaterial: that rotation has been successful. That would include putting out a back 4 that consisted of 2 19 year-olds and 2 22 year-olds - with no back-up defenders on the bench. That's some confidence in youth.
Yet Ranieri has also indicated that he will continue with rotation for another month, during which time he would like to consider a wide variety of players and options, before settling on something that looks like a first 11. In the meantime, in any case, different permutations of players will become more used to playing alongside each other.
And that is a key issue: with such an upheaval in our squad, we are still picking up the points. The affirmation that Chelsea are not yet a team, hasn't yet gelled, and needs to develop its spirit, is not unfair. That will come over time; indeed, the work that Claudio Ranieri accomplished last year with no significant additions to the squad, is proof that he can develop team spirit. If Chelsea are not yet playing to their full potential, imagine what we will be like when it does come together?
Points-wise, if Chelsea are in 3rd place, it is only on goal difference and - crucially - with one game in hand. That game will be played next Tuesday, away to Birmingham City. A draw only would be enough to propel Chelsea to the top of the table. We fully expect to play for a win to begin to put some clear Blue water between Chelsea and the rest of the pack.
It is suggested, also, that Chelsea's position is artificial as we have not yet played anybody 'significant' and that, due to the random nature of the fixtures list, we have played more than our fair share of games at home. The comment about the strength of opposition is fair: apart from Liverpool, all of Chelsea's opponents are currently in the bottom half of the table, including 5 of the bottom 8. The next few weeks will be crucial: as well as coming up against one of this seasons surprise packages - Birmingham City - we also travel to The Library. All eyes will be on that one, the fact that the F.A. may suspend a substantial proportion of the Arsenal squad will add some piquant to the fixture.
As for Chelsea playing more than their fair share of home games, that would hide the fact that we are currently the Premiership's best away side. Not only have we a perfect record of 3 away wins out of 3, but no team has scored more away goals. Only Arsenal - who have played one more away fixture - have let in as few away goals as us. In fact, our away form is currently better than the home form - although at home, also, no team has scored as many goals (9), we have also let in an alarming 5. That has to be compared with Manchester United's imperious defence, which has conceded 0 goals at home, and 3 overall. That has to be the model for Chelsea: we don't have problems scoring at the moment, but the defence has to be tightened up: 4 teams have let in less than us.
Perhaps a key fact is this: the corresponding fixture last season was one where Chelsea dropped points. Alongside results at Anfield and against Blackburn and Spurs, Chelsea are confirming a tendency of doing at least as well as last season, if not improving upon the match. Indeed, I calculate that we are scoring, on average, between one and 2 goals more per match on last season. The bookmakers have certainly noticed this, and have shaved further fractions off Chelsea's odds of lifting the title this season: all bookies have Chelsea now in second favourites, and the gap between Chelsea and favourites Manchester United continues to diminish.
When was (if ever) the last time that Chelsea enjoyed such a great start to the season?
