Lampard rallies the troops

SOCCER:FRANK LAMPARD has issued a rallying cry to Chelsea's stuttering squad before their next league fixture, the pivotal trip to Manchester United next month, after Sunday's wasteful draw at Fulham left Luiz Felipe Scolari's side further adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

There were signs of frustration at Craven Cottage, with Scolari appearing to argue with Jose Bosingwa on the touchline and with Petr Cech as the players left the pitch after a 2-2 draw in which the visitors, so dominant in possession for long periods, had contrived to allow Fulham to equalise a minute from time.

The draw left Chelsea with only two wins from the past seven league games and only 10 points accrued in that time.

Lampard still believes the title can be reclaimed. "There are three points in it at the top, so the situation hasn't changed that much, and we've got a very good squad of players," said the England midfielder, whose brace of goals had put the visitors ahead in the local derby.

"The Fulham match was frustrating because of the manner we lost the points with the last-minute header. That was very disappointing and we should have won. But we will go to Manchester United [on January 11th] aiming to win the game.

"You only win titles with a never-say-die attitude in your team. That is what Chelsea are all about. We've had it for the last few years and we've still got it in there.

" At Fulham we showed an absolutely great reaction to going a goal down and, in the second half, came out and smothered them. They didn't really get out of their own half other than with the occasional long ball down the side. We dominated the game, so the attitude was there from all the lads. It was just frustrating to be done on a set piece in the last minute."

Chelsea remain unbeaten away from home for a little over a year but, having shed eight points to Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this term, will need to maintain that resilience on their travels, with trips to Anfield, Old Trafford and the Emirates still to come this season.

"We've got very poor results against the big teams so far this season, but we're still right in there amongst it," said Lampard. "There are two things to consider: you want to go to places like that and get results, and we're definitely capable of doing that. But also we need to get results against teams like Fulham. That is what the other teams up there do.

"If we can get real consistency going, a winning run of games which we're more than capable of - we did it last season and we did it numerous times over the last few years - we can go on and win the league, there is no doubt about that. I'm hungry to win league games and to win the title, believe me. But it will come down to consistency."

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed he became disillusioned with football over the summer.

Drogba had a troubled end to last season and was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, while he was criticised by fans for not trying hard enough.

Moreover, the Ivory Coast international did himself no favours as he was sent off before the end of extra-time in the Champions League final defeat to Manchester United at the end of the campaign.

Chelsea had to suffer the ignominy of ending the season empty-handed after being on the verge of triumphing at home and abroad and Drogba admits he started to lose interest in the sport.

"This summer, I didn't have a head for football anymore," he told France Football. "I had completely lost my fire.

"I didn't want to hear talk of objectives or ambition anymore. I felt completely extinguished.

"For the first time in my career, I lost my passion for football. I was lost.

"Last season could have been terrific and spectacular, in the end it was just a good season which left quite a few regrets."

Matters have not improved much for Drogba this season.

The 30-year-old has struggled with injury and disciplinary issues this season and has been forced to play second fiddle to Nicolas Anelka at Stamford Bridge.

However, Drogba insists he is happy to bide his time, although he admits he is baffled as to why the pair are not played in the same team more often.

"For the moment, I just have to keep quiet," he said. "It's not because I've been here for more than four years that I have the right to have demands on a status of starter.

"At the moment there is a man who is scoring and who is piling up goals. I only have to wait my turn.

"I have always said that I was happy that Nicolas came to Chelsea. But I still don't understand why coaches are scared to play us together."

Drogba continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with reports suggesting he is set to be reunited with former coach Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan in January.

Inter and Mourinho have both denied the claims but the man himself remains coy about his future.

"I'm going to let myself be carried by events," said Drogba. "I could plant myself here, but I have the impression that in 2009, good things will happen for me.

"Without doubt there will also be surprises," he concluded.