Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted his players are suffering a crisis of confidence in front of goal.
Chelsea boss laments side's lack of confidence in front of goal
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted his players are suffering a crisis of confidence in front of goal after League One minnows Southend snatched a last-gasp draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fielded a £40million front three in the shape of Joe Cole, Didier Drogba and goalscorer Salomon Kalou and yet they squandered another hatful of chances to kill off their lowly opponents.
The Blues were guilty of the same profligacy when Championship side Burnley bundled them out of the Carling Cup on penalties and the Brazilian's post-match lament is becoming all-too familiar.
"I need to teach to my players more concentration when they arrive in front of goal," said Scolari. "This is my job every day.
"Maybe it is confidence when they arrive in front of goal, maybe pressure. They need to score more goals and get more confidence. Only this.
"If they are not together, they would not create 15 chances. We played very well and created 15 chances but only one goal.
"Southend played hard and very spirited for a draw. They got a draw but only had one shot on goal.
"Carlo Cudicini didn't make one save. Not scoring is our mistake. All the players feel the same as me."
It looked like it would be a comfortable afternoon for Chelsea when Kalou headed home Frank Lampard's corner in the 31st minute.
But when a long throw from Johnny Herd in stoppage time was only partially cleared by Ricardo Carvalho - Peter Clarke, celebrating his 27th birthday, stooped for the goal that gave United a deserved third-round replay.
Pledge
Despite the poor form in front of goal, Scolari reiterated that he will not buy a new striker and pledged to work harder on the training ground instead.
"We need to follow the same ideas - train, train, train," said Scolari. "I don't need another striker. I have a good squad, good players.
"We are still in the cup. Other teams that lost today are out, we are not out. We were better than Southend but didn't score a second goal."
Southend rejoiced in Clarke's equaliser and will now look forward to another pay-day in the replay at Roots Hall and United boss Steve Tilson was understandably delighted with the outcome.
"It's a fantastic day for the club and fans," said Tilson.
"We had to ride our luck and we got the chance at the death.
"Our goalkeeper made a great save at the end to keep us in it but the idea was to stay in the game for as long as we could.
"We had to get a lot of bodies behind the ball and it is not how we normally play. But it worked wonders.
Priority
"But whatever happens, we have had a good cup run. Beating Crewe at home in the league in our next game is more important than Chelsea.
"We have not worked on the long throws from the right-hand side so that was a bonus.
"Peter does get in good positions and that is his second goal this season. But on another day we could have lost by four or five goals.
"If they had scored early on then we would have had to open up and possibly got beaten by a hatful.
"But it is a great result for us against a team that will finish in the top two of the Premier League I'm sure."
