Chelsea manager Frank Lampard put out a passionate backing of his Chelsea players after they were booed off following the expiration of the first 45 minutes and at the end of the game against Brentford on Wednesday.
Cesar Azpilicueta’s own goal and a 78th minute goal by Brentford substitute Bryan Mbuemo dragged Chelsea to a fifth straight loss since Lampard was appointed as caretaker manager.
The eight game run without a victory is also the worst in 30 years but Frank Lampard expressed that his players gave their all and that he doesn’t care about the thoughts of others.
Frank Lampard said: “I won’t sit here and bemoan the players. I feel the opposite for the players tonight.
“We controlled the game and created more chances. With 20 percent more confidence we win the game, probably.
“No disrespect to Brentford. Normally we win the game, we don’t because of the moment we’re in.
“I’m not concerned about what people on the outside are thinking. They don’t understand the conditions you are working in.
“Two of those games have been against Real Madrid. Brentford won at Man City earlier this season.
“If you’re a Chelsea fan you’re used to 20 years of success and you want more. I’ve no problem with fans booing.
“I will defend the players because I know they are young players who want to do well. Is there an issue with confidence and the balance of the squad? Yeah.”
Chelsea manager claimed the players played like they wanted to win
The Englishman further said: “They performed like they wanted to win. Are we dynamic enough in the final third no?
“Is there an issue with confidence in the squad? Yes. Those things won’t change overnight. I’m just supporting them.
“I understand the fans booing, they want us to win. when we win they cheer. When we lose I understand they’re disappointed.”
“We had a foothold in the game but Brentford always turn you round with corners and throw-ins and the goal came from that.
“In the second half we were more dynamic and created more chances on the counter attack. It wasn’t an application thing.
“We have to keep working and fighting to create opps to score goals. Two things, maybe aren’t goals in the team and when you’re low on confidence.
“Maybe a fresh Auba scores those goals… but it’s a clear issue with the squad that’s why we haven’t scored enough goals for a team like Chelsea.
“The only way out of it is work. There is clearly a confidence problem and you can see that in the players’ faces.
“If you’re a Chelsea fan you’re used to 20 years of success and you want more. I’ve no problem with fans booing.
“The players aren’t bemoaning each other at the moment. I came here for a reason because the results are not what they want.
“I took it on knowing the jeopardy and I’m proud to be here.”
The Blues have netted just 30 goals in 32 Premier League encounters this campaign. Chelsea sit 11th and 8 massive points behind 9th place Brentford.
Brentford win at Stamford Bridge was Thomas Frank’s 100th victory as the manager of the side and he will celebrate alongside taking pride in the fact his team has now surpassed the entire points they accrued last season which was 46.
Brentford points this season
They have amassed 47 points and they could eye a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League for next campaign.
This is Brentford’s second subsequent victory at Stamford Bridge. A win last season at the home turf of Chelsea was their first since 1939.
Brentford manager, Thomas Frank said after the game: “It is so nice to win. After a spell of pressure in the second half we controlled much of the game.
“I was surprised by their line up. I have so much respect for them but it is no secret that Chelsea is in a bad place.
“But this is still Stamford Bridge, it is still Chelsea and they still have unbelievable players.
“I’m pleased with the win but I wanted more points. That would put us in a very interesting position.
“We face Nottingham Forest who have beaten a flying Brighton and they are fighting to avoid relegation, it will be difficult.”
Brentford got promoted to the English Premier League in 2021 for the first time since 1947
Brentford got promoted to the first division of English football last campaign for the first time since 1947 and they have really battled hard since they gained promotion.
Thomas Frank has been manager of the side following the departure of Dean Smith on the 16th of October 2018 and he has overseen a wonderful development of the side.
Chelsea are currently rocked with managerial issues as they have appointed four managers so far in just one campaign.
Thomas Tuchel was fired earlier this season due to issues that emerged between him and the hierarchy of the West London club.
The next manager that was appointed, Graham Potter, was also dismissed in April after an horrible run that saw Chelsea sink to 11th on the Premier League table.
Graham Potter’s assistant, Bruno Saltor was appointed on an interim basis afterwards and he was relieved of his duties in order to pave way for Frank Lampard.
Lampard has managed Chelsea in five games and the West London side have failed to pick any win in those encounters losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League alongside, Real Madrid over two legs, Brighton and Brentford.
This is not the first time players of Chelsea have been booed this campaign as same occurrence happened following defeat to bottom placed Southampton in February.
Marc Cucurella was also booed off by Chelsea fans after the Spaniard failed to impress in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United in February.
Earlier in April, Chelsea fans also booed their own players after the fell to two-goal home embarrassing defeat to Aston Villa.
That loss saw Chelsea fall to 11th on the Premier League table, their lowest position at this stage of the campaign since 1994/95.
Following the loss against Brentford, Chelsea have now lost five games in a row for the first time since 1993.
