Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Wilkins: No rift at Chelsea

07 Dec 2008 - 11:38:04

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Ray Wilkins has dismissed talk of a dressing room rift at Chelsea following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

The Blues' assistant first-team coach issued a stinging rebuke to reports that the Stamford Bridge camp is not united under manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Goals from Nicolas Anelka and Deco at the Reebok Stadium secured a new top-flight record of 11 successive away wins and afterwards Wilkins stepped in to defend Scolari, who opted to skip the post-match press conference amid increasing suggestions of a rift among the squad.

"The spirit and application in the camp is absolutely different class," claimed Wilkins.

"You cannot perform like that if there is dissension about. They have performed to a very high standard."

Meanwhile, Wilkins spoke of his delight at the London club's imperious and record-breaking away form this season.

He added: "Our away results have been absolutely first-class. We've a superb away record.

"At home, teams have come and blocked up the middle of the midfield against us and it's been a tad difficult to break them down.

"Sometimes they just come and play 10 players behind the ball and make it very difficult for us.

"Perhaps at times we've not tried hard enough to prise them open, but give credit to the opposition as well.

"They've worked out a plan to play against us, so it's up to us now to go against that. We will combat that and get back on track.

"But overall we are delighted with where we are at the moment, just a point behind Liverpool, so as far as we are concerned we're in a fantastic position."