Paul Merson considers Chelsea do not now have the fear factor that they had, but says patience is key under Frank Lampard.
Lampard has picked up five points losing leads at Stamford Bridge in both of their games.
Prior to throwing away a 2-0 lead against Sheffield United on Saturday, prompting some jeers from the home 28,, they drew 1-1 with Leicester.
But using a transfer ban in place, Merson believes together with Chelsea fielding this year to among the youngest average ages in their XIs patience is critical.
Chelsea were beaten 4-0 by Manchester United on the opening day of this season, but speaking on The Debate, Merson considers game management in their two home draws has been most worrying.
“I had been disappointed with them at the previous half an hour against Man Utd, I believed they threw in the towel and then drifted away.
“But it’s a difficult one; as a new supervisor you wish to emerge and entertain. I am a Chelsea fan. If Mourinho was 2-0 up against Sheffield United, he place on the other defensive midfield player and’d bring a striker off. This was the end of the game, ending of, and that was known by another team too.
“The other teams do not know that now. Chelsea haven’t got that fear variable anymore. Now, teams such as Leicester can stay in the game , and towards the end it looked like possibly Leicester would win it.”
Merson believes Lampard will be overachieving when he was able to sneak Chelsea to the top four this year, also says that the inexperience of some of his squad, including Tammy Abraham and the Mason Mount, must allow him longer.
“I like Frank, and I believe you obtain expertise as you go. Would somebody have played Mason Mount? He is a unique player. And Tammy Abraham has four aims.
“We only do it by learning, you do not have five games later on and say’You’re out of the group,’ if they’re not doing. You return to square one just like that. Patience, patience. These are young children.
“Man City and Liverpool are so far ahead of everybody now, this is not the same circumstance. If Chelsea ended in the top four this year, Frank will get manager of the year, in my opinion”
Merson also appreciates that Lampard, as the Chelsea superstar and manager, may feel inclined to amuse the audience when his side are leading. His guidance to Lampard is to’Do a Mourinho!’ And choose the points.
“Winning games is a tough thing to do when you have lost your best player, and one of the best players on earth in Hazard. Frank is it up. At the moment, I presume you do need to amuse, although I believe he’ll gain patience. Do a Mourinho!
“You sometimes think in a project:’Oh, I must keep fun here, otherwise the fans will have the hump!’ In the end, you do not need to do so, you want to be clued up, just take the 3 points.”
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