John Terry admits to costly poor home form

Poor form: Chelsea have dropped 18 points at Stamford Bridge this season
13 April 2012

Captain John Terry admits that Chelsea's poor home form cost them a real chance of winning the Barclays Premier League this season.

Chelsea, who face Blackburn in their final home game on Sunday, dropped 18 points at Stamford Bridge this season with defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal as well as draws with Everton, Hull, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham, and Manchester United.

Chelsea now lie third in the table, three points adrift of second-placed Liverpool and nine behind Manchester United, who only need a draw against Arsenal on Saturday to retain the title.

But while Terry concedes their home form has been disappointing, the Blues have not given up the chase to finish as runners-up.

"Last year we went so close in a few different things and we have done so again," said Terry.

"At times we were top of the league and doing well but we threw away too many points at home against lower teams when we shouldn't have done.

"You can always lose the games against Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, but games like Everton home and away, Fulham when they scored late on, Hull at home are the games that really cost us.

"We needed to win at Arsenal to secure third place for us and we are still pushing for second place if Liverpool slip up and we can go above them.

"As players and fans we want to win things and we have that chance with the FA Cup so we'll be trying our utmost to win it and if we do it will be a good season for us."

The FA Cup final at Wembley against Everton on May 30 will be interim coach Guus Hiddink's final game in charge unless the Dutchman decides to change his mind on returning to his role as Russia's manager.

It is Chelsea's last chance to win some silverware this season after crashing out of the Champions League in controversial circumstances.

Barcelona's late goal from Andres Iniesta earned them a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal to set up a final against Manchester United.

The game was overshadowed by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo who rejected four penalty appeals by Chelsea. His decisions sparked Ivorian striker Didier Drogba's foul-mouthed rant at the official and at TV cameras at the end of the game.

But Terry, who was critical of both the official and UEFA after the game, has since had time to collect his thoughts.

However, with Chelsea still waiting to hear if they and Drogba will be punished by UEFA, Terry understandably steered clear of the subject.

"People say Barcelona are the best team in the world, and to be fair you can probably hold your hands up and say they are, especially with their ability going forward," conceded Terry.

"We went to Spain with a game plan and did exactly what the manager asked of us, we didn't concede any goals and had one or two chances ourselves, even though they dominated in possession.

"We took a lot of stick but we knew what we had to do and we did it. Back at the Bridge I thought we outplayed them and had more chances, I think their only shot on goal was the goal. We competed with and outplayed them and really should have gone through.

"It takes a couple of days after a game like that to get over it, absorb it and take it in. After the game the lads were all the same. You went home and probably slept for an hour, woke up, thought about it and watched it again and still didn't believe what was happening during the game."

Terry has played 48 Chelsea games this season, already more than in either of the previous two, and his next appearance, the 403rd, will put him in the top 10 of all time.

Terry insists his own form this season has been mixed but says he has been at the top of his game since Hiddink took over from sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"I'm pretty pleased," said Terry. "At the start of the season I thought I was playing really well and it linked well to us doing well as a team, and a few others playing really well.

"I think the first 10 games of the season I was really good and then after that had a dip in form for maybe another 10 games where I wasn't at the levels I can be. But since the manager has come in from the first game at Aston Villa, I have been at the very top of my game again.

"When a few of us don't play well the team suffers and I think our most consistent performer has been Frank Lampard, as he has been for a few years. He's continued to play well every game all season long.

"A few of us might hold our hands up and say we didn't perform at the levels we can. I think it's important that we get our consistency as it has been the last few months and go again next season."

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