BLUES CANNOT AFFORD TO GET LAZY
AFTER Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel's relatively low-profile start to life in the Stamford Bridge hot seat the German will welcome Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday after a week in which he has stamped his mark on his new club.
Last weekend's 1-1 draw at Southampton maintained Tuchel's unbeaten start but cost Chelsea their place in the top four. More significantly, it offered proof that Tuchel is not afraid to bruise egos.
In hauling off England international Callum Hudson Odoi after 76 minutes, having sent him on as a half-time substitute, the German made it absolutely clear that he expects his instructions to be carried out to the tee.
Humiliating players so early into a managerial reign could be perceived as a risky strategy but if proof were needed that Tuchel's methods worked it came on Tuesday when his side produced a European masterclass to beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 away in the first leg of their Champions League, last-16 tie.
Significantly Hudson Odoi started against Atletico as Tuchel completely outfoxed his wily counterpart Diego Simeone.
That win means confidence will be high as Chelsea welcome second-placed United to Stamford Bridge but Tuchel is well aware that the next five games could define their season.
"Now we play Man United, Liverpool, Everton and Leeds and we cannot get too comfortable, we cannot get lazy," said Tuchel, whose side are fifth on 43 points from 25 games, two behind West Ham United and six off Leicester City and United.
After all the hard work to claw themselves back into the top four, having slipped to ninth under Tuchel's sacked predecessor Frank Lampard, Chelsea can ill afford any dip in form now.
United returned to winning ways after a couple of draws with a 3-1 victory at home to Newcastle United last weekend and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side can put nine points between themselves and Chelsea if they win on Sunday. But with runaway leaders Manchester City up next weekend, Solskjaer knows that what looks like a healthy cushion could quickly disappear.
West Ham's stunning form has put the cat amongst the pigeons and there is mounting belief that manager David Moyes could be on the verge of something special.
A gritty 2-1 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend left the Hammers in the top four after at least 25 matches of a topflight season for the first time since 1985/86.
They have won seven of their last nine league games but face the ultimate test at Manchester City tomorrow where Pep Guardiola's side's will be seeking a 20th successive victory in all competitions. West Ham did draw 1-1 with City earlier in the season, however, and will pose a threat.
Liverpool's players have enjoyed a rare week with no fixtures and it was probably required to clear their heads after four league defeats on the bounce.
Their hopes of retaining the title are over and they are in serious danger of finishing outside the top four, having fallen to sixth spot following last week's home derby defeat by Everton. They are now five points off fourth spot.
The Reds have an opportunity to get back on track with a trip to bottom club Sheffield United who are all but doomed.
Time is also running out for secondbottom West Bromwich Albion, who play Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow, but Fulham can suddenly see an escape route.
Scott Parker's side have closed to within three points of 17th-placed Newcastle United and go to Crystal Palace on Sunday on a fourmatch unbeaten run.
THE Cheetahs have in recent years become one of those teams one feels always have something to prove.
While that’s probably not the case, the Free State team going up against one of the bigger franchises is always a fixture to look forward to.
While their SA Rugby Preparation Series game against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow (5.15pm kick-off) is exactly that – preparation – it is doubtful that either team will be approaching this game like some kind of inconsequential warm-up.
Whatever the objective for these two teams, this game is a chance, it’s an opportunity, and they’ll want to make the most of it.
For the Stormers, the players who have been included this week will be keen to show what they can do as the focus shifts to giving all players some game time ahead of the Rainbow Cup.
It may not be the same for the visitors, who have named a fullstrength side, but what player goes out there not wanting to do his best?
So, as they prepare to take on the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium, here are four players who can make things a little tough for the hosts.
Rosko Specman
Specman’s attacking abilities are insane, and while he said last year that he felt like he struggled to adapt to the Bulls’ playing style, he made an immediate impact, and seeing him go into a new season in a team where he won’t have to worry about going extended periods without the ball is an exciting prospect.
Whether it’s him ghosting defences or just adding that Sevens spice, Specmagic is one Cheetah the Stormers need to constantly have on their radar.
Frans Steyn
Steyn can make a serious impact to any game, and not just because of his boot.
The majorly talented and oh-soversatile back has been a huge presence for the Cheetahs at times and there is no reason why the same shouldn’t apply tomorrow.
Jeandre Rudolph
Give him eight or give him six, it doesn’t really matter, because he has showed his worth as a linking player when he wore the No 8 jumper, and when he’s put on the openside jersey he made no less of an impact.
If there are areas where the Stormers are going to have to be on high alert with this guy in the mix, it’s the breakdown and collisions.
Rhyno Smith
With a bit space, this man is dangerous.
Playing in the Pro14, Smith was one of the Cheetahs’ standout performers, and he has continued to show what an asset he is to the Bloemfontein side with that handy boot, trustworthy service under the high ball, and his ability to add a lethal hand on attack when he joins the line.