Source: Team_Talk
Premier League as tough as ever - Lamps
Frank Lampard has refuted suggestions the Premier League has been weak this season as Chelsea stand on the brink of a first title since 2006.[LNB] A win for Chelsea against Wigan on Sunday will guarantee them the title in Carlo Ancelotti's first season as coach, with Manchester United a point behind the leaders.[LNB]The Blues have lost six league games this campaign but they are in pole position at the most crucial point of the season and Lampard reckons those defeats simply prove the quality of the league.[LNB]"This is the position we wanted to be in," he said. "Some people have said the league has gone downhill but I don't think it has.[LNB]"The league has improved because the teams in the middle of the table and down the bottom have been fighting even harder and are more organised.[LNB]"It has proved more difficult for the bigger teams to win regularly week in, week out, and if we can win one more game it will be a big achievement to win it this year due to circumstances.[LNB]"To win the league you can never have it smooth and there are not many seasons when it is plain sailing all the way through.[LNB]"You are fighting against big teams in Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and others and there are times you have to stay strong. In the moments when we were down this season we have stayed strong."[LNB]Chelsea won the title in 2005 and 2006 under Jose Mourinho but United have won the last three and that has only increased Lampard's desire to get his hands back on the trophy.[LNB]"Credit to them, they deserved to win it in recent seasons," added Lampard. "We are there to battle with them and we have been in touching distance.[LNB]"I was very proud of winning the league twice, particularly the first time because of all the years Chelsea had gone without it.[LNB]"It was a huge thing to be part of that group but if we can go and win the Double it will be right up there with that because not many clubs have done it in history."[LNB]Didier Drogba's 26 goals have played a big part in putting Chelsea in the position they are in but the Ivory Coast striker is worried more about the team's success than his own. [LNB]"It has been the best season in my career so far," he said. "When you have a season like this, individual trophies like player of the year are good, but I want more and I want to share with my friends.[LNB]"I really want to win the Premier League trophy and the FA Cup again, this is very important.[LNB]"I really don't mind if I don't win that (the Golden Boot) and I win the Double. That is really what matters.[LNB]"It has been a great season and I am really happy. Everybody knows my history with the fans here and there have been some difficult moments, but really and honestly we are always talking the same language and that is Chelsea."[LNB]Drogba also hailed the influence of Ancelotti.[LNB]"It is his first year here and it could be the best season in Chelsea's history so I hope that there will be more seasons like this one," added Drogba.[LNB]"He put a lot of confidence in this team and a desire to play well, start from the back, short passes - completely different to what we were doing before.[LNB]"There are many ways to win football matches and I think this way is one of the best."
