Cech Unflustered By Poor Form

By Danny Wright

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has played down his recent run of poor form, which has seen the stopper concede seven goals in the past two games.

Cech was at fault for Liverpool’s opening goal in an incredible 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, a result which saw his side progress to the Champions League semi-finals after an epic 7-5 aggregate win.

He was also caught napping against Bolton on Saturday, a game which Chelsea ran out 4-3 winners.

Guus Hiddink’s men had lead 4-0, but conceded three in the last eight minutes as The Trotters threatened to stage a remarkable come-back.

That led some to question Cech’s form, with the poor displays undermining his once unprecedented tag as the world’s best goalkeeper.

The 26-year-old has brushed off suggestions that he is playing poorly, though, telling The Sun: “I don’t agree that I’m suffering a crisis of confidence,”

“I’m confident enough to go through the season because I’ve played well since Guus Hiddink arrived,”

“The only game I didn’t play well was Bolton — it was not a really bad game.  But I made a mistake for one goal and against Liverpool, their first goal was a mistake. “

The concerns over Cech’s form have even lead to suggestions he maybe dropped for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal at Wembley.

The 6’ 5” keeper remained typically bullish, however, and again played down the claims.

He added: “Of course, I would be disappointed if I was dropped for the Wembley game. Who wouldn’t be?”

“But this is the question for the manager and as I said, I think one bad goal can’t change what I have been doing all season.”