Gianfranco Zola has pointed to our vulnerability at defending set-pieces as a way for his West Ham side to get a result against us today and he certainly won’t be the only manager to do so, with the world and his wife all too aware of our defensive frailties this season.
Gone are the days where coming face to face with Petr Cech had opposing players the less confident of the two, the days where sides we took on wondered how on earth they were meant to find a way past the likes of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. Because whilst both John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in particular, have looked shaky at times, Petr Cech has looked positively riddled with anxiety and the indecision he shows when he’s stood out there in no-man’s land has exactly the same effect on all of us watching.
In the 2004-05 season, Cech went a record 1,025 minutes without conceding, such was the command he had in the Chelsea goal. However, following that horrendous challenge at the feet of Stephen Hunt in October 2006, the once commanding and seemingly unflappable keeper has, all too often, appeared a shadow of his former self. He’s still only 27 and it’s not as if his 6ft 6 frame has shrunk all of a sudden and yet, he just isn’t as imposing as he was before his three month spell out.
Despite playing in protective headgear (whether medically necessary or not), Petr Cech doesn’t look particularly confident these days and for me, that begs the question: why? Is he complacent enough not to try that hard considering the lack of competition for his place after Cudicini’s departure? I don’t honestly think it’s that, he’s always struck me as being too professional really.
So that just leaves his nerves down to the lack of perceived protection from his defenders. Certainly it’s our recent poor defending that’s highlighted Cech’s fallability, so is it more a case of the Chelsea keeper being the scapegoat for our recent defensive lapses or is it Cech’s lack of command that’s got the defenders twitching?
I know, I know, it’s all a bit chicken and egg, I just remember highlighting concerns about John Terry’s pace last year and with Ricardo Carvalho showing far too many signs of wear and tear alongside him this season, you have to wonder about the impact that would have on the one man standing behind them both don’t you?
Just a thought.