http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=286140&cc=4716
Ranieri: We are trying too hard
Claudio Ranieri fears his players are trying too hard to make an impression -
and that it could prevent Chelsea from mounting a serious challenge to
Manchester United and Arsenal's bid for trophies this season.
The Blues were a goal up and in control against Bolton yesterday, but once the
visitors equalised Ranieri's men lost their cool - and ended up losing their
unbeaten home record in the Premiership this season.
Ranieri felt the result just went to prove what he has been saying all along -
that Chelsea are not yet on the same level and United and Arsenal.
'Maybe my players are trying too hard to prove themselves,' said coach Ranieri.
'We must finish teams off, we must go for the kill when we have the
opportunity.
'When you want to compare Chelsea with Manchester United and Arsenal and I say
no, we are still improving, maybe now you will believe me. They are a team but
we are still learning as a team, that is the difference.
'They know at every moment what is best to do, but we are young and we want to
do something different every time.
'We need to stay calm, keep possession. When Bolton scored it was as if my
players thought, 'What happened? That's not possible.' But this is football and
anything is possible.
'So we keep going, stay calm and continue to play. I told them that at
half-time but when we restarted they wanted to do something more, and I
shouted from the bench for them to take only one or two touches, but they
wanted to do something more.
'The character is good but we must learn when it is better to attack and better
to keep possession, and only the matches can teach us this.'
Hernan Crespo headed Chelsea in front after 21 minutes, but Bruno N'Gotty
headed home a free-kick for the equaliser 18 minutes later. Bolton grew in
confidence in the second half as they saw how Chelsea lacked ideas, and with
two minutes remaining they pulled off a sensational victory when John Terry
deflected Kevin Davies' cross into his own net.
Despite Ranieri's fears, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is tipping Chelsea to win
the title - and is hoping the confidence gained from this result will see his
team finish well clear of the relegation zone.
'Historically we've got a good record at United but not against Chelsea. That
makes it a huge, huge result for us.' said Allardyce. 'Chelsea have strength in
depth and that means they have the team to go all the way, despite this disappo
intment.
'United might just have the edge in experience, that might be crucial. United
are used to it and these guys probably aren't. But Chelsea have enough to go
all the way for me.
'We've got a lot of confidence in ourselves. We were disappointed at Fulham but
this makes up for all that frustration. To do it at a place like Chelsea, with
the quality of players they've got makes it a delight.
'From the start of the season I've said that we're too good to be thinking
about avoiding relegation. This is our third year and our only real problem is
strength in depth, because the players have proven themselves all over the
world.'
Chelsea surrendered top spot in the Premiership yesterday, but Ranieri is
optimistic his team will not now fall out of the title race, as they did last
Christmas.
He added: 'I know only too well that the Christmas period is very dangerous for
us, but this is a different Chelsea.'
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