Heat on Scolari after FA Cup shambles

Last updated : 03 January 2009 By Paul Lagan

Luiz Felipe Scolari is feeling the heat after the shambles of a draw against League One opposition Southend Utd.

The FA Cup embarrassment of the 1-1 draw must have hurt the 35,000 faithful who packed into Stamford Bridge. They would have hoped for a hatful pf goals against a side who had one just one of their previous five games.

They are now sadly coming to their home ground expecting the worst and not being disappointed.

An animated Scolari said afterwards: "The result says we did not play well, but we created 15 chances to score a goal - we played well.

"My players were the boss of the pitch but they did not score.

"Southend played a hard game but Carlo Cudicini did not have to make a save. - our mistake was not finishing.

"This is not a time to blame the players.

"I try to do the best everyday - it is not just about results."

That last comment may come back to haunt Scolari but he tried to explain what he needs to do to put things right.

"I need to train my players to finish [a move with a goal]," he said.

"I have these players, I believe in these players. Maybe in a week, a month or one year they will be better."

For Chelsea's season's sake, let's hope it's not a year.

Scolari then dismissed any talk of changing room problems: "If the players are not together, they will not make 15 chances," he said.

But Scolari is confident that his methods are the ones to take the club out of its home-form depression.

"I am confident - 100 percent, I am doing the right thing," he boasted.

A frustrated Scolari then continued about the absence of John Terry - suspended for the past three games.

"JT not playing is not the reason we drew today. But next week we will have him back and also Deco and Ballack."

Scolari conceded that his team have problems at home but not away: "Last season they had away problems and before I came here other problems, but I am not going to comment of things before I arrive, it's not my business to discuss what happened last season."

Scolari then ended his press conference explaining that his players are not confident in front of goal.

He also stated that he does not need to buy another striker: "I need the players to score more goals, I did not come here to say I need another striker.

"I need to follow the same idea, training, training, training. To say this or that is no correct.

"I need to teach my players when to arrive at the ball.

"When I arrive at Chelsea I ask one player to buy and that is Deco. If they want to buy players then good, if not, then okay I still have a good squad.

"But sometimes I discuss with them want I need because of injuries. And if they sell one or two more players then it's okay with me.

"I have many strikers, good strikers and I don't have a striker coach I don't need one."

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