Source: Daily_Mail
Ancelotti calls for courage but admits one defeat would end his title bid
If there was a prize for the best hangdog expression at Fratton Park tonight then picking a winner between Carlo Ancelotti and Avram Grant would be almost as difficult as predicting the winner of this season's Barclays Premier League.[LNB]Chelsea fans grew used to Grant's doleful demeanour during his spell at Stamford Bridge and, such has been the glum look painted on Ancelotti's face of late, they have had to do the same with the Italian.[LNB]In fairness to the pair, such expressions have little to do with their characters. They are most certainly not miserable types and both men possess wit as dry as sticks.[LNB]But Ancelotti, by his own admission, is not one for outpourings of emotion, whether it is anger or elation, especially when it comes to his behaviour in the dugout. It is all a far cry from the days of Jose Mourinho's charismatic celebrations or even Luiz FelipeScolari's Latin explosions.[LNB]Hangdog expression: Ancelotti[LNB]Chelsea's current manager places little store in such displays on the sidelines. 'I was a player for a lot of years and when my coach spoke to me during games it was very difficult to listen or change something,' reasoned Ancelotti.[LNB]'This is my style, my behaviour. I prefer to give information to my players before the game, in training and at half-time. I know other coaches shout or move, but this is a particular style for each person. I don't think it's necessary to shout because the players don't listen. It's very difficult to have a communication with them.'[LNB]Given Chelsea's drop in form, such words are likely to set alarm bells ringing in the ears of their fans who will doubtless be craving a bit more passion from their manager.[LNB] That Roman Abramovich took it upon himself to deliver some home truths to his well-paid players last week suggests that the Chelsea owner would also like to see some more fire from Ancelotti.[LNB]The man himself insists that while he may come over as a cool, calm and collected,the emotion wells up within him just as much as with other more demonstrative managers or even fervent supporters.[LNB]'I am a fan of Chelsea,' said Ancelotti. 'But I don't want to be one during a game. I want to stay focused. If you're focused, you don't show emotion. I feel the game: before, during and after.' [LNB]And at least the manner in which Ancelotti signed off his pre-match press conference ahead of tonight's vital clash at Portsmouth suggested he is capable of rousing his players when the time comes.[LNB]Bordering on the Churchillian, by his standards at least, Ancelotti spelled out the qualities he feels his players possess and which will ultimately see them over the line in the title race.[LNB]'They have courage and they have personality,' insisted the Chelsea manager.[LNB]'We have to have energy, strength, confidence to win every game. It's the most difficult moment of the season, this is true. It's more difficult now and we shouldn't be afraid to admit that. [LNB]'We're working hard to try to close this moment with a victory. Every team has had a difficult moment in the season and we have to end it immediately.'[LNB] Struggle: Frank Lampard battles with Morten Gamsst Pedersen during Chelsea's 1-1 draw at Blackburn[LNB]The margin for error is paper thin. And although Ancelotti has set his team the target of winning every remaining game in League and Cup, that has not stopped him getting the calculator out.[LNB]'I like statistics and I think that, in the past, with 86 points every team has won the title,' said Ancelotti. 'I think that we need to get 86 points to win.' [LNB]Using that formula Chelsea cannot afford to endure one more defeat this season and one loss in particular would, of course, prove catastrophic. [LNB]'We don't have to lose at Manchester United,' said Ancelotti. 'We can't afford to lose there. That is the only thing.' [LNB]Ancelotti enjoys a joke with his players on the training field and was quick to dismiss the suggestion that Abramovich had informed him the time had come for a sterner approach.[LNB]'Roman knows very well my behaviour,' said Ancelotti. 'I always said that I want to give respect to my players and I want to have respect. I think this is the right behaviour and I think that, this season, everything is right with the players. I am happy with my players' attitude.'[LNB]Perhaps at the root of Ancelotti's ability to remain unflustered by the highs and lows of football, and even the threat of the axe by Abramovich, is that he has been through it all before with AC Milan. You do not survive eight seasons in the employ of Silvio Berlusconi without developing a thick skin and learning to keep a lid on your emotions.[LNB]Are Chelsea in crisis? 'It is the same word in Italian,' replies Ancelotti with a smile before reverting to his customary stony-faced expression.[LNB] Roman Abramovich won't axe me: Carlo Ancelotti vows to fight for his Chelsea jobWill injuries decide title? How Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United compare...CHELSEA FC
