Monday 26 October 2015 12:20, UK
Chelsea and Jose Mourinho need to stop blaming officials for their recent poor results, according to former Manchester United assistant manager Steve Round.
Chelsea lost 2-1 at West Ham on Saturday, the Blues' fifth league defeat of the season, in a match packed with controversy.
Mourinho was sent to the stand by referee Jonathan Moss for an incident in the tunnel at half-time, whilst Nemanja Matic was also sent off for two bookable offences. Assistant first team coach Silvino Louro was then dismissed for disputing that decision.
Cesc Fabregas had earlier seen a goal disallowed for offside, whilst Kurt Zouma had a header ruled out by goal line technology.
And whilst he admitted Chelsea were unlucky with certain decisions, Round thinks the players should shoulder the blame for the defeat.
"They need to move on from this self-fulfilling prophecy of 'it's all against us, it's a conspiracy', they've got to move forward," said Round.
"They've got to think 'we're a great team, we've got great players, we've got a great manager - let's go and prove it'."
Six Chelsea players picked up bookings during the game, including John Terry and Fabregas who both received yellow cards for dissent.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher defended Moss' decision to send off Mourinho and Matic.
"He [Mourinho] waited to confront the referee at half-time, whatever he's said or done the referees taken umbrage to, whether he's used insulting, abusive or offensive language I don't know," said Gallagher.
"He's obviously done or said something irresponsible for a person in his position and the referee has deemed that as he's got to go upstairs.
"I think the players defend their own player, that's how football is. The referee made a decision, when that happens it depends what the player does or says.
"John Terry and Fabregas have got yellow cards; they've obviously said something the referee has taken exception to."
Former England U21 manager Stuart Pearce agreed with Gallagher.
"As a manager, I'll accept getting decisions my way and decisions going the other way - even if they're not right. The only thing I'm happy with if there's a consistency to it," said Pearce.
"I think Matic should have gone personally. The goal line one, they got it spot on. But all you want is that consistency."
Mourinho's side lost just three Premier League games on the way to the title last season but now find themselves in 15th place, just five points of the relegation places, after a poor start to this year's campaign.
The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager is rumoured to be under threat of losing his job following Saturday's defeat. No team has ever finished in the top four at the end of the season having earned fewer than 13 points in the opening ten games.
Chelsea now face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a crucial game for the under pressure Portuguese boss.
