Is our form at Home going Away?

I had decided that I should be more prompt with my posts, but find myself getting ‘fingertip to key pad’ some 60 hours after another disappointing home performance by the blues.  Would I have been quicker recording my thoughts had we won?  I’m hoping a much needed win, against an equally erratic Arsenal side, tomorrow afternoon, will answer that question.

In contrast to the last few home games, when we haven't managed to score, we took the lead against Southampton and doubled it before half time. Demba Ba was Rafa’s choice to start the game and scored the first goal, taking his tally for Chelsea to three.  Eden Hazard scored the second just before half time (quite pleased to see Hazard becoming more of a regular feature on the scoring sheet).  Surely the game was in the bag.  There was something niggling at me though. The now former Southampton manager, Nigel Adkins (not sure I understand the timing of his dismissal), had left the striking power of Rickie Lambert on the bench in the first half.  This niggle turned into a proper headache when Lambert was brought on in the second half and went on to score a ‘Drogba-esque’ header. 

After that I found myself getting more anxious than usual watching us (and not just because the quality of the stream was terrible).   The team seemed unable to capitalise on their chances and sloppily lost possession, giving soton opportunities on the counter attack.  Although Southampton had started the game defensively (which as a tactic had served QPR and Swansea well, in the last two games at the bridge), they could smell blood after Lambert’s goal and you knew it was just a matter of time before the equalizer came.   Jason Puncheon obliged by scoring their second goal with fifteen minutes left on the clock.

Benitez showed his desire to win and not squander a much needed 2 points by bringing Torres on to the pitch alongside Demba Ba.  Although I was wishing for a winning goal, most of my nervous energy was used up dreading a last minute winner from the visitors who looked poised to poach the match.  The game ended 2-2. I found myself irritated that my gratefulness for not losing was overshadowing my disappointment in not winning.  Neither emotion should be experienced when playing a newly promoted Southampton who have spent most of the season in the relegation zone. 

Many columnists have been speculating about Chelsea’s recent bad form at home.  Some of the reasons suggested are more plausible than others (one blamed the possible curse of Wednesday nights)! The more generally held opinion is that QPR heralded the way forward by parking the bus and highlighting Chelsea’s inability to deal with it.  Surely is it not an inevitable expectation for a struggling side to put ten men behind the ball, especially away from home? After all, we did the same against Barcelona in the Champion's League semi-final home and away legs and saw the clear benefits of such a strategy.   In his article entitled ‘How to get ahead’, the blue's columnist, Pat Nevin suggested if Chelsea could find a way to score the first goal against such defending opposition, it could lead them to go on and win the game.  Yes, the article was written before the Southampton game.... and I am feeling very disheartened that the finishing score line contradicted what was a comforting theory.   Nevin went on to discuss the recent success of QPR (and the newly appointed Harry Redknapp), and he wrote: “That isn't a fluke, that is hard work and good organisation from a coach who has a plan. What you need to have is a good plan to overcome that system.” 

Here is hoping Rafa has a good plan tomorrow afternoon!