Terry - Home form cost Blues

14 May 2009 16:10
John Terry believes Chelsea's indifferent home form cost them the opportunity to launch a title tilt. The Blues have dropped 18 points at Stamford Bridge this season, suffering defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal and being held by Everton, Hull City, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United. They still sit third in the Premier League table, three points behind second-placed Liverpool, but that is not good enough for a side that demands success. Club captain Terry insists a runners-up spot remains a realistic target with two games remaining, while he is also looking towards an FA Cup final date with Everton to offer a reprieve to their league failings. "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." Consistency Meanwhile, Terry has admitted that his own form this situation has fluctuated at times. He feels he stagnated, along with many of his team-mates, as Luiz Felipe Scolari's reign came to an end, but feels he has been rejuvenated under the guidance of Guus Hiddink. "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."

Source: SKY_Sports