‘We need to sustain our style of football’
LAMPARD SAYS HIS BLUES SIDE NEED TO TAKE NEXT STEP
BOSS Frank Lampard believes the next step for his Chelsea team is sustaining their style of football for a full 90 minutes, writes Oliver Harbord.
The Blues have hit a superb run of form and clinched their fifth Premier League win in a row after a 2-1 victory over Watford on Saturday evening.
Lampard’s side are firmly inside the top four, sitting 10 points above Manchester United, six above Arsenal and just two behind Manchester City.
It has been an impressive start to the campaign from the Blues, who also matched a club record seven away victories in a row with the three points at Vicarage Road.
Blues supporters have been delighted with the style of play that they are witnessing from Lampard’s side, although Chelsea were indebted to a last-second save from Kepa Arrizabalaga to earn the win in Hertfordshire.
Lampard has now called on his team to sustain their performance levels throughout their upcoming matches, starting with Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night (at the time of going to press).
“At times we are certainly producing some of the form that I want from us, particularly our work rate off the ball,” Lampard said.
“This was a different type of game, but in some games we have been pushed hard – against Ajax and Liverpool and games like that.
“I think that is something which has really pleased me and we have done that through a training level that has got them fit enough and we work a lot on that.
“And then periods of the games I am really pleased with the way we are combining in midfield, switching the ball and the wingers getting involved in the game.
“If I have a gripe it is probably that we are not sustaining for long enough periods at times. I know it’s not easy but we always strive for more.
“So I am pleased with big parts of it, but I feel we can get better.
“Maybe it is football, I don’t know. Look at the other results. Liverpool go away and are behind for a long time in the game [won 2-1 at Aston Villa], as were Manchester City [who beat Southampton 2-1 at home].
“So maybe I am being a bit demanding to say [that], because you have to respect the opponents and it isn’t as easy as that. Football will always be a work in progress.
“We have young players who have been out on loan from last year and have come in and now work with some of the senior players.
“So there is an element where things will always take a little bit of time to be where you want them to get to.”