Source: Daily_Mail
Coventry 0 Chelsea 2: Silence is golden for deadly Didier
Football managers usually reserve the silent treatment for playerswho are in their bad books. Pardon the pun but if Guus Hiddink had sentAshley Cole to Coventry, the left back could have few complaints.[LNB]Whata way, then, to treat his spearhead, Didier Drogba. After the strikerhad tormenting young Coventry defenders Scott Dann and Ben Turner, herevealed that Hiddink is not passing on any pearls of wisdom.[LNB] No words needed: Drogba receives the plaudits as Hiddink saves his advice for Malouda[LNB] Champions League Form Guide: How the Premier League's Euro opponents fared this weekend[LNB]Mourinho hits out at 'embarrassing' Chelsea as United run away with the title[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]It seems Drogba is being given the cold shoulder and three goals in four games, including the first one here, suggests the Dutchman's methods are working. [LNB]Drogba said: He's said nothing to me at all. He has picked me in the team. Then I know what I have to do.[LNB]'It's normal. You don't need to speak every day to a player. Just the fact I'm in the team is enough and means a lot.'[LNB]Hiddink confirmed he has a special training programme for Drogba. But there appears to be no deep-seated reason as to why the Ivory Coast forward has rediscovered his form.[LNB]'I'm fully fit now,' he added. 'I feel 100 per cent. Physically, I need to work a little bit more to improve my chances of going into a game.[LNB]'When I first came back it was difficult. When everything is going well nobody speaks about it. But when you have some bad moments everyone is asking "why, why?"[LNB]'I've been in this situation before. You just work, work and work and want to improve. Then something good will happen. I kept working hard and now people are forgetting the past few months.'[LNB]Hiddink recognises Drogba's value. The Chelsea manager said: 'From the day I saw him in the Watford game and from day one in training, I never had a doubt about his commitment. Didier is dangerous. He is working hard and he is good for the team.[LNB]'We do a specific programme with him, for his position. He doesn't have to do this extra work but he wants to.'[LNB]This was the Dutchman's fifth match in charge and a capacity RicohArena crowd - not to mention the home dressing room - must have fearedthe worst when they saw the teamsheet.[LNB]Chelsea were taking theirFA Cup quarter-final seriously. There was to be no repeat of theirdemise against Barnsley last season.[LNB]Hiddink was not resting hisstars ahead of tomorrow's Champions League return at Juventus. Coventryboss Chris Coleman described it as 'coming here mob-handed' andconceded that his side never got close to causing an upset.[LNB] Bang in form: Drogba celebrates his strike against Coventry[LNB]He said: 'They put out their best players and that was a massive compliment to us. They haven't just got good players, they've got world-class players.[LNB]'They were excellent. They've got a huge game on Tuesday but they must go to Juve full of confidence. I was surprised they played all their stars. Actually, it disappointed me!'[LNB]There were mutterings afterwards that referee Steve Bennett was over-familiar with Chelsea's players.[LNB] Break time: Brazilian Alex scores Chelsea's second[LNB]Coleman said: 'I was disappointed with him, as were my players. Hisattitude towards us and towards them. That's not why we lost but he wassmug towards us.'[LNB]Drogba pressured Dann into a mistake beforerounding Kieren Westwood to score in the 15th minute but Coventrybattled gamely until the last quarter, when the visitors added astrange second.[LNB]Drogba and Alex clashed heads inside their own area and Bennett told both to leave the pitch after treatment while Aron Gunnarsson took a throw-in, which was cleared.[LNB]Bennett waved the Chelsea duo back on and they promptly raced up theother end of the pitch for the Brazilian to sidefoot a decisive secondfollowing Ricardo Quaresma's lightning quick break.[LNB]Coventryforward Clinton Morrison said: 'We didn't create a lot. Mistakes costus. If we'd made them in the Championship, we wouldn't have beenpunished.'[LNB] Never normally short of a word or two, it was asked whether the former Birmingham forward had a comment during the game for Cole, who was jeered relentlessly after his late-night drinking incident.[LNB]'Not really,' he said, 'I've known Ashley for a good while. He came to Palace on loan and he's a pal.[LNB]'He's a good lad. I wouldn't have a chip at him. It's the last thing he needs, right now, isn't it? I think he's in enough trouble with the missus when she gets home.'[LNB]You get the feeling Drogba will not be the only one receiving the silent treatment next week.[LNB] Champions League Form Guide: How the Premier League's Euro opponents fared this weekend[LNB]Mourinho hits out at 'embarrassing' Chelsea as United run away with the title[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
