Ancelotti to continue system

Boss will not change despite successive league defeats away from home

Last updated: 30th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ancelotti to continue system

Ancelotti: Defiant

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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated his stance towards maintaining his side's tactics away from home.

The Blues have lost their last two away matches in the Premier League, going down first to Wigan and then Aston Villa.

In contrast, they have netted 13 goals in their last three home games in all competitions, running riot against Atletico Madrid, Blackburn and most recently Bolton.

Now Ancelotti's side prepare to face Bolton once more, this time at the Reebok Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, and the Italian insists he will not change his formation away from home.

"We want to maintain the same system," said Ancelotti. "I said before that for this season, we follow this way at home and away.

"The last two matches away were not good for us, but we don't want to change because of that. I think this system is very good away from home."

Chelsea demolished the Trotters 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, but Ancelotti is aware that the league encounter will be a different experience.

"Tomorrow will be a different game to the game in the Carling Cup. I think that Bolton can play different, but we want to play at the same level.

"We will pay attention to their quality, but we will put our best qualities on the pitch.

"Bolton will want to change something from Wednesday. We want to play the same, because we played well. We stayed compact over the 90 minutes, which is important against Bolton.

"To win this Premier League is a very long race. If it's possible to maintain being top of the table, as we are, then that's good.

"It means we've started the season well. But the race is very long and will only finish at the end of the season."

Davies threat

Bolton boss Gary Megson will welcome back striker Kevin Davies for Saturday's clash after resting him in midweek, and Ancelotti is well aware of his physical prowess.

"He's a very good player," added Ancelotti. "He's very important for his team, but we have respect for him and for Bolton. We want to play the best because we think this game is very important.

"I like all kinds of strikers. It's important, I think, for a striker to work for the team. That's what I want all my strikers to do and that's what I ask of them.

"For me, it's not so important that a striker always scores. For me, it's important they work for the team.

"I don't ask them to defend, just work for the team. Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge show their qualities for the team. This is good."