Chelsea vs Wigan

[Term-X 7,891]

The five errors Chelsea made against Wigan in September - and how to avoid repeating them

Title-chasing Blues can't afford repeat of September shambles

By Andy Brassell | Chelsea Correspondent

Remember Saturday 26 September 2009? It almost seems like a different lifetime. Carlo Ancelotti was still in his honeymoon period as Chelsea boss, arriving at Wigan's DW Stadium with eight successive wins to begin his first season at Stamford Bridge. If the Italian had thought he was on for a quick jive around the Casino before hot-stepping it back to London with three points, he was in for a nasty shock - the early season coasting came to an abrupt halt in Lancashire, with a shock 3-1 defeat, capped by Petr Cech's red card, knocking the Blues from the table top.

Nobody saw it coming. Wigan's performances against the big four had been distinctly lacking in any sort of northern soul since their 2005 promotion. This was their first win over one of these sides in a staggering 35 attempts, but it has given Roberto Martinez' side the belief to compete in exalted company. Despite their mediocre season - and their pair of 5-0 thrashings by Manchester United - the Latics have since beaten Liverpool and Arsenal.

Wigan arrive in London SW6 in Sunday with their Premier League future secure, and able to express themselves without pressure or fear. Ancelotti will be wary of this, and of repeating the errors which ruined his 100 per cent start in the hot seat. If Chelsea are to successfully close out their prospective reclaiming of the title, they will need to......

Deal with set-pieces more effectively

Titus groan | But there's no Bramble this time

The defeat in September opened up a whole can of defensive worms for Chelsea. Titus Bramble was left free on the penalty spot to nod his side in front after 16 minutes, and Emmerson Boyce almost doubled the advantage before half-time, but Petr Cech made a fine close-range save from the defender after Boyce latched onto Paul Scharner's back-post knockdown.

This was not a new problem for the Blues, particularly against Wigan, who provided the opposition in Guus Hiddink's first home league game in charge back in February 2009. Bramble had almost opened the scoring with a header from a corner in that one, but his effort was cleared off the line by Ashley Cole. The comparisons are germane - of the side that faced the Latics in Hiddink's home debut, nine of the starting eleven are likely to kick off on Sunday, with the only probable changes Branoslav Ivanovic for Michael Mancienne at right-back and Florent Malouda in lieu of John Obi Mikel.

Defensive disorganisation at dead balls became an autumn theme for the Blues, with similar errors leading to their downfall at Aston Villa in the following month. This time, they need to be prepared. At least they won't be facing Bramble, as he has had to undergo surgery on a stress fracture; but the Latics have other aerial threats (Paul Scharner, for one), so Didier Drogba needs to be vigilant at policing set-pieces, and the presence of Michael Ballack should help. This is a key factor - a fine performance can often be undone by one piece of poor marking.

Create more chances

An obvious one perhaps, but the lack of genuine opportunities created by the Blues at the DW Stadium was alarming, even taking into account that they played 40 minutes with ten men. Again, it's a repeat problem from last season's meeting at the Bridge. Frank Lampard's injury-time winner was the result of some nervous Wigan defending as they tried to see the game out, and Hiddink's side created little of note beforehand. It had taken a spectacular volley from the edge of the box by John Terry to break the deadlock in the first half.

The key to this is the left-hand side. Chelsea's best moments at the DW were created by Ashley Cole and Malouda (with the latter carving the equaliser for Drogba), but the diamond shape of midfield, particularly after Chelsea went down to ten, put too much onus on the left-back. Malouda is likely to play in an orthodox left midfield role at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as he has done recently, and Salomon Kalou will combine with left-back Cole to test Mario Melchiot. The former Blues right-back receives little protection from Wigan's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and can be exposed.

Take the game to Wigan from the start

In both the previous two meetings with the Latics, Chelsea have been very slow out of the blocks. They were one down inside 20 minutes in September and could easily have been so in the preceding meeting in February too. If they allow Wigan a foothold in the game, it makes the likelihood of nerves coming into play greater.

Chelsea's best moments recently - and all season, in fact - have been the result of an attitude to attack from the get-go. This was the route to beating Stoke in the last home game, arguably the crucial result of recent weeks, and with Drogba, Anelka and Kalou in harness, they have the personnel to do it again. A more wait-and-see approach at Tottenham (admittedly against a fine side) proved disastrous.

Give Martinez's men more of a physical challenge

Muscle-men | Unleash the Drog

There's no doubt that Chelsea have changed under Ancelotti. They are more attacking than under either Mourinho or Hiddink, but need to remember that all their greatest successes of recent times are founded on having superior stamina and strength to their opponents - opponents who, in this case, managed to go keep going deep into stoppage time to kill Chelsea's challenge in the reverse fixture.

It will be tougher to do this without Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, so Drogba's role is important, as is that of Ivanovic, with the tough Serbian international likely to present Charles N'Zogbia with more of a physical obstacle than Jose Bosingwa could at the DW Stadium. The presence of Alex to take on Hugo Rodallega will also be a boon. Wigan can be allowed no time to settle on the ball and the Blues must use their ability to crush a wobbling opponent to close the game out.

Get the scouting report right

Ancelotti argued in his pre-match briefing back in September that Wigan were a much different side from Stoke, as they liked to pass the ball. He was right, but this stereotyping of Martinez's men made Chelsea overlook the more physical aspects of Wigan's game - strong set-pieces, the pace of Rodallega - and they consequently came unstuck.

The comforter for Chelsea fans is that their coach is highly unlikely to make the same mistake twice. Ancelotti is far more au fait with the Premier League now, and recognises that even sides in the lower half of the table have versatility in their ranks. The improvement between the two encounters with Stoke is instructive of the coach's ability to learn from prior mistakes - a factor that will be crucial in sealing Chelsea's path to glory on Sunday.

http://www.goal.com/...n-in-september-

[.Cee 50]

Create more chances

An obvious one perhaps, but the lack of genuine opportunities created by the Blues at the DW Stadium was alarming, even taking into account that they played 40 minutes with ten men. Again, it's a repeat problem from last season's meeting at the Bridge. Frank Lampard's injury-time winner was the result of some nervous Wigan defending as they tried to see the game out, and Hiddink's side created little of note beforehand. It had taken a spectacular volley from the edge of the box by John Terry to break the deadlock in the first half.

The key to this is the left-hand side. Chelsea's best moments at the DW were created by Ashley Cole and Malouda (with the latter carving the equaliser for Drogba), but the diamond shape of midfield, particularly after Chelsea went down to ten, put too much onus on the left-back. Malouda is likely to play in an orthodox left midfield role at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as he has done recently, and Salomon Kalou will combine with left-back Cole to test Mario Melchiot. The former Blues right-back receives little protection from Wigan's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and can be exposed.

Yeah, and put a couple or a few of the created chances in the back of Wigan's net. Otherwise those chances mean NOTHING.

[Laylabelle 9,296]

I know wont be confident till we're say 3-0 up.Just all those games,Wigan,Everton and Barca where last minute goals happened and ahhh.Bolton a few season back but Man U were winning anyway so didnt matter to much but all the same!! So nervous!!

Will not be able to read the paper/listen to the radio for a few weeks if we do loose it! Can you imagin?

All down to us...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

[HRiver 1,512]

I won't even get out of the house for at least a month if we lose it, let alone not read the paper or listen to the radio.

[Steve 10,227]

I think we should pretty much field the same squad that we have for the last two games. If not maybe bring in Mikel for Ballack. Also maybe Joey for Nico or Kalou. But i dont think we should change a winning formula. Martinez is a decent coach but and i can see him thinking the only way they will get anything out of this game is if they park the bus.

COME ON CHELS THIS IS OUR GAME!!!!

[Rambo 1,729]

ideal outcome would be Chelsea 6-0, with Drogba netting a hat trick for golden boot.

[YankinBlue42 72]

This is rubbish. Why couldn't Manure just draw against Sunderland. That would've made this week so much easier to enjoy. I am 99.9% sure we will come out as champions on Sunday. And yet that 0.1% is dominating my every thought.

[Fulham Broadway 16,393]

This is rubbish. Why couldn't Manure just draw against Sunderland. That would've made this week so much easier to enjoy. I am 99.9% sure we will come out as champions on Sunday. And yet that 0.1% is dominating my every thought.

Know what you mean -have a slight nauseous feeling the same as before we played the murderers last week.

I notice the Wigan players are mouthing off, and the press are calling for them to do Yernited a favour...reality is our squad will keep a cool head, take our time and batter them.

I cant go, but am not looking forward to Skys coverage -Yernited will probably take the lead first against Stoke and Sky will be saying ''as it stands at the moment , United are Champions etc etc''

Chelsea will be Champions come 6.00pm Sunday though

[benji_blue 3]

I know wont be confident till we're say 3-0 up.Just all those games,Wigan,Everton and Barca where last minute goals happened and ahhh.Bolton a few season back but Man U were winning anyway so didnt matter to much but all the same!! So nervous!!

Will not be able to read the paper/listen to the radio for a few weeks if we do loose it! Can you imagin?

All down to us...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

Laylabelle, I too am as nervous as you. I really dont want to think about loosing but last night the handle broke on my Chelsea tea mug and I am really hoping it is not a bad omen.

Lets try and remain positive, I think from the famous mouth of Kriss Akabusi let keep a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)

But still

[Blueboy 14]

I really gat pissed off reading about all those Wigan players saying that Chelsea shouldn't think they beat Wigan easily -.-. God i hope we batter them on sunday, as said before with in the best scenario Drogba winning the golden boot .

[benji_blue 3]

I really gat pissed off reading about all those Wigan players saying that Chelsea shouldn't think they beat Wigan easily -.-. God i hope we batter them on sunday, as said before with in the best scenario Drogba winning the golden boot .

Me to Blueboy, I have a Wigan fan in my office and he is really winding me up!!!

[chrismada9 1,948]

This is rubbish. Why couldn't Manure just draw against Sunderland. That would've made this week so much easier to enjoy. I am 99.9% sure we will come out as champions on Sunday. And yet that 0.1% is dominating my every thought.

I have exactly the same feelings! I can't imagine the feelings I would have if we blew it on the last game. Especially at home, and especially to a team that Sp*rs were able to beat 9-1.

It would be embarrassing to say the least, and I doubt that the players would have the instinctive to come out and applaud to the fans knowing that they've lost the league.

[Lloydy-21 1]

Just a win, can't see the boys letting this one slip, you all saw how they celebrated Frankie's goal on sunday.. Just anotehr three points!

[.Cee 50]

This is rubbish. Why couldn't Manure just draw against Sunderland. That would've made this week so much easier to enjoy. I am 99.9% sure we will come out as champions on Sunday. And yet that 0.1% is dominating my every thought.

Meh... the question should be: WHY DID WE ALWAYS SCREW UP WHENEVER THEY DID? We would've won the title by now if we didn't screw up as much as we did.

Know what you mean -have a slight nauseous feeling the same as before we played the murderers last week.

I notice the Wigan players are mouthing off, and the press are calling for them to do Yernited a favour...reality is our squad will keep a cool head, take our time and batter them.

I cant go, but am not looking forward to Skys coverage -Yernited will probably take the lead first against Stoke and Sky will be saying ''as it stands at the moment , United are Champions etc etc''

Chelsea will be Champions come 6.00pm Sunday though

Reality is also that we expected a backlash against Blackburn after Inter knocked us out of CL. We didn't get it.

I REALLY, REALLY hope we will be Champions come 6 pm Sunday.

[Ollie 4,400]

It's not about wigan, it's about us. Wigan can play their greatest game of all time but if we play well, we win the game. Yes, i'm nervous as hell but knowing how we performed against Bolton and Tottenham and getting away with a position like this, we'll feel as tho we got out of jail and comfortably win this game i feel.

It's not just about the title, but getting some payback too. Wigan humiliated us earlier in the season 3-1. Time to put that right and win that title. They have nothing to play for, they have no affiliation to man utd so they will just play the game out, hopefully stoke like lol.

i'd take 1-0 but 5-0 would be absolutely brilliant!

2 days, 21 hours and 30 mins to go!

[stapin 0]

Chelsea will win..Premier league its belong to Chelsea...yeah..go go Chelsea =)

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The five errors Chelsea made against Wigan in September - and how to avoid repeating them

Title-chasing Blues can't afford repeat of September shambles

By Andy Brassell | Chelsea Correspondent

Remember Saturday 26 September 2009? It almost seems like a different lifetime. Carlo Ancelotti was still in his honeymoon period as Chelsea boss, arriving at Wigan's DW Stadium with eight successive wins to begin his first season at Stamford Bridge. If the Italian had thought he was on for a quick jive around the Casino before hot-stepping it back to London with three points, he was in for a nasty shock - the early season coasting came to an abrupt halt in Lancashire, with a shock 3-1 defeat, capped by Petr Cech's red card, knocking the Blues from the table top.

Nobody saw it coming. Wigan's performances against the big four had been distinctly lacking in any sort of northern soul since their 2005 promotion. This was their first win over one of these sides in a staggering 35 attempts, but it has given Roberto Martinez' side the belief to compete in exalted company. Despite their mediocre season - and their pair of 5-0 thrashings by Manchester United - the Latics have since beaten Liverpool and Arsenal.

Wigan arrive in London SW6 in Sunday with their Premier League future secure, and able to express themselves without pressure or fear. Ancelotti will be wary of this, and of repeating the errors which ruined his 100 per cent start in the hot seat. If Chelsea are to successfully close out their prospective reclaiming of the title, they will need to......

Deal with set-pieces more effectively

Titus groan | But there's no Bramble this time

The defeat in September opened up a whole can of defensive worms for Chelsea. Titus Bramble was left free on the penalty spot to nod his side in front after 16 minutes, and Emmerson Boyce almost doubled the advantage before half-time, but Petr Cech made a fine close-range save from the defender after Boyce latched onto Paul Scharner's back-post knockdown.

This was not a new problem for the Blues, particularly against Wigan, who provided the opposition in Guus Hiddink's first home league game in charge back in February 2009. Bramble had almost opened the scoring with a header from a corner in that one, but his effort was cleared off the line by Ashley Cole. The comparisons are germane - of the side that faced the Latics in Hiddink's home debut, nine of the starting eleven are likely to kick off on Sunday, with the only probable changes Branoslav Ivanovic for Michael Mancienne at right-back and Florent Malouda in lieu of John Obi Mikel.

Defensive disorganisation at dead balls became an autumn theme for the Blues, with similar errors leading to their downfall at Aston Villa in the following month. This time, they need to be prepared. At least they won't be facing Bramble, as he has had to undergo surgery on a stress fracture; but the Latics have other aerial threats (Paul Scharner, for one), so Didier Drogba needs to be vigilant at policing set-pieces, and the presence of Michael Ballack should help. This is a key factor - a fine performance can often be undone by one piece of poor marking.

Create more chances

An obvious one perhaps, but the lack of genuine opportunities created by the Blues at the DW Stadium was alarming, even taking into account that they played 40 minutes with ten men. Again, it's a repeat problem from last season's meeting at the Bridge. Frank Lampard's injury-time winner was the result of some nervous Wigan defending as they tried to see the game out, and Hiddink's side created little of note beforehand. It had taken a spectacular volley from the edge of the box by John Terry to break the deadlock in the first half.

The key to this is the left-hand side. Chelsea's best moments at the DW were created by Ashley Cole and Malouda (with the latter carving the equaliser for Drogba), but the diamond shape of midfield, particularly after Chelsea went down to ten, put too much onus on the left-back. Malouda is likely to play in an orthodox left midfield role at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, as he has done recently, and Salomon Kalou will combine with left-back Cole to test Mario Melchiot. The former Blues right-back receives little protection from Wigan's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and can be exposed.

Take the game to Wigan from the start

In both the previous two meetings with the Latics, Chelsea have been very slow out of the blocks. They were one down inside 20 minutes in September and could easily have been so in the preceding meeting in February too. If they allow Wigan a foothold in the game, it makes the likelihood of nerves coming into play greater.

Chelsea's best moments recently - and all season, in fact - have been the result of an attitude to attack from the get-go. This was the route to beating Stoke in the last home game, arguably the crucial result of recent weeks, and with Drogba, Anelka and Kalou in harness, they have the personnel to do it again. A more wait-and-see approach at Tottenham (admittedly against a fine side) proved disastrous.

Give Martinez's men more of a physical challenge

Muscle-men | Unleash the Drog

There's no doubt that Chelsea have changed under Ancelotti. They are more attacking than under either Mourinho or Hiddink, but need to remember that all their greatest successes of recent times are founded on having superior stamina and strength to their opponents - opponents who, in this case, managed to go keep going deep into stoppage time to kill Chelsea's challenge in the reverse fixture.

It will be tougher to do this without Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, so Drogba's role is important, as is that of Ivanovic, with the tough Serbian international likely to present Charles N'Zogbia with more of a physical obstacle than Jose Bosingwa could at the DW Stadium. The presence of Alex to take on Hugo Rodallega will also be a boon. Wigan can be allowed no time to settle on the ball and the Blues must use their ability to crush a wobbling opponent to close the game out.

Get the scouting report right

Ancelotti argued in his pre-match briefing back in September that Wigan were a much different side from Stoke, as they liked to pass the ball. He was right, but this stereotyping of Martinez's men made Chelsea overlook the more physical aspects of Wigan's game - strong set-pieces, the pace of Rodallega - and they consequently came unstuck.

The comforter for Chelsea fans is that their coach is highly unlikely to make the same mistake twice. Ancelotti is far more au fait with the Premier League now, and recognises that even sides in the lower half of the table have versatility in their ranks. The improvement between the two encounters with Stoke is instructive of the coach's ability to learn from prior mistakes - a factor that will be crucial in sealing Chelsea's path to glory on Sunday.

http://www.goal.com/...n-in-september-

Ignore that. All they need to do is two things:

1. Avoid complacency

2. Score early.

[chrismada9 1,948]

Spot on Alex! :goodpost: