Friday 28 October 2016 18:38, UK
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says the defeat to West Ham in midweek does not mean he will abandon his new 3-4-3 system.
The 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in September prompted Conte to switch from 4-5-1 to 3-4-3, and it worked wonders. Chelsea beat Hull 2-0, Leicester 3-0 and Manchester United 4-0.
They then went down 2-1 to the Hammers in the EFL Cup at the London Stadium, but Conte says the manner of the defeat has not dented his confidence in the system and he plans to employ it again in Sunday's match with in-form Southampton.
"I think it is not a win or a defeat that can change my idea or the players' confidence," he said.
"I think it is the right way for the players because it is a good fit for the team, this system. We have found a good balance and also we have a good offensive situation because in every game we scored a goal.
"For sure we must continue to work with the offensive situation, to memorise some movements, and also in defensive situations because it is not easy.
"It is different when you defend with the four and when you defend with the three, but I see a lot of positive things and we want to continue on this aspect and we are working hard to improve. We understood this way is the right way."
Conte did make a host of changes on Wednesday, leaving the likes of Gary Cahill and Diego Costa on the bench, while the Hammers fielded most of their big guns.
"I watched the video of the game against West Ham - I think that we played a good game with good intensity against a tough team because West Ham played with the same players who played in the [league].
"For me, we started very well then we conceded the goals and that changed the situation. I would prefer to stay in the game, not to concede the second goal, then I see a good reaction and spirit of my players because until the end we played to avoid losing the game."
The 3-4-3 system may be bad news for club captain John Terry, who was drafted in for the Hammers game, but looks likely to drop back to the bench against Saints.
Conte said: "I don't like to talk about individual players. We win together and we lose together in every circumstance.
"It's logical that John came back from injury and it's not easy to restart and to find quickly the right shape. I'm satisfied (with) him, (with) the team.
"John is an important player for us, if he plays, if he doesn't play, for the changing room, for his team-mates, for the club.
"I repeat: in this case always it's important the team and not to think or to speak about an individual player."
