Before departing for the West Midlands, Frank Lampard addressed the media at Cobham, explaining what his team must do to get back to winning ways and providing the latest on Christian Pulisic’s fitness.
The American missed out on the weekend loss at Goodison Park due to a hamstring problem, but Lampard has confirmed he is in contention to play against Wolves.
The boss also answered questions on Gerard Houllier, the possibility London is going into tier three and the title race, but it is his update on Pulisic we start with…
‘He trained on the day we played against Everton and felt better,’ reported Lampard.
‘He’s in the squad tomorrow and it’s yet to be decided whether he starts or not. It’s obviously positive news from the weekend.’
Lampard considered how his team must react to the Everton setback
‘The Premier League is unforgiving. You saw that with different results over the weekend. We weren’t at our top level on Saturday and we got beaten. That’s it.
‘We’ve been on a long unbeaten run playing some really good football, as well as winning games. We dropped our level for a game. It’s on us to pick up it again straightaway.
‘It’s important for us to stay in the race. When people were touting us as title contenders, after the Leeds game particularly, I felt it’s a long race to win a Premier League. I did it as a player and I understand there are lots of elements of it.
‘One of those is losing a game and trying to bounce back from it quickly which is what we need to do, and sustain performances and results over a period of time.’
Lampard commented on speculation London is going into tier three and so fans won’t be allowed at the Bridge
‘Even though we are in tier two and we had fans for a game or two, I did feel it should be a level-playing field for fans. We have seen and felt the backing they give you and what it does to the game.
‘I also think, and I’m not telling the Government what to do, we can really control 2,000 fans coming into a stadium. It’s unfortunate to say the least.
‘We are making up as we go along and that’s not to be critical, it’s just a fact. We have never been in this situation before. Clubs are showing they can control it and I would like to think there could be something done to get that 2,000 number in, but that goes above my station.’
Lampard also spoke about Gerard Houllier following the sad news of his death
'I came across him on and off the pitch. He was always an absolute gentleman whenever I met him. Reading some quotes from people who knew him much better than me, that seems to be the resounding feeling.
'He was a great football person, very successful in his managerial career, a great person, and our thoughts and respect go to his family from myself and everyone at Chelsea Football Club.'
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