Barry tells Chelsea: You're small fry

Barry Fry turned up the heat on Chelsea today by labelling them Premiership underachievers and claiming they were wrong to sack Gianluca Vialli.

Fry, manager of Peterborough, sends his Second Division team into FA Cup action against Claudio Ranieri's multi-million pound stars at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

He told Standard Sport: "I think Chelsea have under achieved in the Premiership but I would have thought the fans were delighted when their club was put on the map by winning major competitions in the last few years.

"Since Vialli left, the place seems to be in turmoil. I would not have sacked him."

Fry also criticised the decision to drop Dennis Wise last week. He said: "I think the new manager is trying to stamp his authority on the club by leaving Dennis Wise out.

"To me, Chelsea is Mr Wise - not only a brilliant player but he is the voice of Chelsea, full of passion and commitment. I think if Ranieri is trying to show who is boss by dropping Wise, then it might backfire on him."

Fry also criticised Ranieri's inability to speak much English and his frequent tactical changes.

"Not speaking English has got to be a disadvantage, there is no question about it. How can you have an interpreter speaking on your behalf?

"Players like things simple, even at my level. Changing systems during games confuses players.

"All week we have worked on our pattern of play. So if you change it after 10 or 15 minutes, and then change it again, it is not only confusing to the players but the fans as well."

Fry will have to rely on 10 players under 22 tomorrow, including former Palace striker Leon McKenzie.

Chelsea's Marcel Desailly has told Paris St Germain he is not for sale and is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge.