CityAM - Business personality online
LONDON
PARIS
NEW YORK
TOKYO
08:10
09:10
00:10
16:10
 
 
MONDAY 12 MAY 08

Cole urges Chelsea to keep pressure on until the last

09/05/2008 

Cole urges Chelsea to keep pressure on until the last

CHELSEA full-back Ashley Cole has warned his team-mates they will never forgive themselves if they miss out on the league title because they fail to win their final game against Bolton.

The Blues must achieve a better result than leaders Manchester United on Sunday if they are to dramatically snatch the Premier League title on the last day of the season.

United are unlikely to lose at unfashionable Wigan, so the best Chelsea can reasonably hope for is that their title rivals draw. That would leave the Blues needing to beat struggling Bolton to claim the trophy, and Cole says he could not stand the pain if they failed to do so.

“We have to just be strong mentally because it would be a killer if Man United got a draw [and Chelsea failed to win], it would hurt,” said Cole. “We have to win our game, because it would be disappointing if Man United did get a draw and then we got a draw, so we will be going out there on Sunday looking to win the game and just hoping that they slip up.

 “Wigan got a draw at our place in the final minute, so anything can be done in football — we just have to stay positive and think we can get the right result.”

Wigan have taken points off all of the so-called big four clubs this season, except for United, who thumped them 4-0 in October.

With their top-flight status assured, the Latics have the chance to complete the set, but Chelsea assistant manager Henk ten Cate is not optimistic about the Blues’ chances of winning the title.

“We are still in it, even though I don’t think we can win it, but Manchester United can lose it,” said Dutchman Ten Cate. “We don’t have it in our own hands.”

BY FRANK DALLERES

Chambers to challenge Olympic ban

DWAIN CHAMBERS is expected to launch a challenge against his Olympic ban ...

Eriksson admits job talks with former club Benfica

MANCHESTER CITY manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted holding talks with Benfica but ...

Keegan rejects rumours of rift with owner Ashley

NEWCASTLE boss Kevin Keegan has dismissed rumours of a rift with club ...

Hargreaves reignites Wigan conspiracy

MANCHESTER United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has brushed off fears his side will ...

Wigan vow to play to win

WIGAN chairman Dave Whelan has handed Chelsea a boost by lashing out ...

Printer friendly format
Read all stories


After tough week we face final play-off push

RUGBY COMMENT: IAN McGEECHAN

IT’S been a tough week for everyone here at Wasps, with two big Premiership games in the space of four days. But thanks to Wednesday night’s crucial win at Newcastle, we can now go into the final game of the season with our play-off destiny in our own hands.

Saturday’s crucial trip to Leeds Carnegie needs one last effort from the lads to hoist us into the top four. Sunday’s 25-17 defeat at Gloucester ended our eight-match winning run and disappointed me in that I felt they deserved it more than we did.

MORE PRESSURE

It also put more pressure on us to get a result on Wednesday, or face the prospect of missing out on a top-four place, therefore undoing all our hard work in getting there. Thankfully the boys, and the forwards in particular, were back on their game and that resulted in a much-needed bonus point victory.

We’ve got the smallest squad in the Premiership and two games in four days was always likely to be a big ask for the players. The forwards were fantastic on Wednesday night and we’ll be needing that same drive and influence to guide us through the Leeds game.

Tom Rees and Tim Payne were outstanding despite playing in both matches, as was captain John Hart. These guys made all the difference. Leeds may already be relegated after a difficult season in the Premiership but we are under no illusions that we are in for a tough battle.

They are a competitive side and we are going to have to be on our game to get a result there. As it stands, there are still six teams in the running for the play-offs. You couldn’t get a better climax to the season than this and it promises to be a thrilling finale.

PLEASING

It was pleasing this week, meanwhile, to see some of our lads nominated for this year’s PRA Awards. Danny Cipriani, Riki Flutey and Paul Sackey have all made the shortlist for Player’s Player of the Year, while Cipriani again, along with James Haskell, are among the nominations for Young Player.

It’s always extremely flattering to be nominated for awards, especially by your peers and the lads deserve that recognition.

Investor Centre

Bullish, bearish or just plain boarish? Tips, tools and tactics to help you make the most of your stance.

 

 
SEARCH
CITY A.M. ARCHIVE COMPANY

(name/ticker)
   

LOGIN
PASSWORD
REGISTER


Heads up: the financial week ahead

Get on the inside track with Director Dealings

Incisive views on sport from our top team of commentators

© 2007 City A.M. Limited