Chelsea manager laments poor form (From Kingston Guardian)

Chelsea manager laments poor form

4:44pm Monday 8th August 2011 in Chelsea

Chelsea Ladies manager Matt Beard has blamed the 10-week break caused by the women’s World Cup for his side's dip in form, which ended their hopes of winning the inaugural Women’s Super League, writes Matt Maltby.

Before the World Cup took place, Chelsea were unbeaten in six games and sitting third, in with a chance of overhauling leaders Birmingham City.

But, since the return of the league last month, the Blues have lost three out of four games, including defeats to heavyweights Arsenal and Everton as well as bottom-club Liverpool, who beat them 1-0 at Tooting and Mitcham's Imperial Fields ground on Sunday.

“It was a tough start to return from such a long break and play the two biggest teams in the country in Everton and Arsenal,” said Beard, brother of Tooting & Mitcham manager Mark Beard.

“Before the break, we were unbeaten in six games but the World Cup disrupted our momentum and we now have to regroup and regain it.”

After facing the big two, Chelsea recorded their first home win of the season at Imperial fields when they beat Doncaster Rovers Belles 2-1, only to lose to Liverpool on Sunday, who recorded their first win of the season.

Despite Chelsea’s inconsistency, Beard remains confident regarding the final three games of the season and believes they need to go into next season on a high.

"We have got a tough run-in but we have got to show character for the final push and then look forward to next season.”

Chelsea's next three games: August 14 Birmingham City (a), 18 Bristol Academy Ladies (h), 28 Everton (h).