Behind Enemy Lines - Chelsea Reaction

Last updated : 29 August 2002 By Christian Kelly
In recent years, Chelsea have had a good record in Southampton and I expected us to continue the trend with victory last night. But after such a solid display against Man United, should I have expected anything but a poor
Chelsea performance?

In the end I was absolutely delighted to pick up a point from the game as Saints were all over us at times. Ranieri picked a strong lineup for the game but too many players were quiet, resulting in Jimmy Floyd being substituted at half time.

I was particularly impressed with Fabrice Fernandes for Southampton and I knew he would come good for you as soon as he signed. He was exceptional for Fulham a few years back when he was loaned there, and I was surprised that
they didn't make the move permanent. I suppose their loss is Southampton'sgain!

Beattie is another player who looked sharp and I still have nightmares about New Years Day at the Bridge, when he and Marian Pahars ripped us apart.

Back to the game though, I believe that Saints definitely shaded it but, in the end, we did have enough chances to at least warrant a draw. Had Gudjohnsen worn his shooting boots there could have been a big Blues score, but he is still lacking fitness and is short on confidence at the moment.

And, once again, we relied on Carlo Cudicini to get us out of jail on too many occasions. He made a couple of magnificent saves from Beattie and Bridge, proving that he is one of the top keepers in this league.

The defence definitely needs to be sorted, with Graeme Le Saux deserving to play at left back in place of Celestine Babayaro. The Nigerian has been at fault for four of our five goals conceded this season- not that I'm counting though!

But credit to the Saints, they should have a solid year again. Europe is out of the question for this season but at the rate you are making progress under Gordon Strachan I feel you could have a good side in a few years.

As for my Blue boys- who knows? We remain as inconsistent as ever and I honestly don't know what is in store for us this season...