source: Reuters through www.gmanetwork.com
LONDON - John Terry said Chelsea lacked fight in
their recent Cup disappointments and called for the team to "liven
up" if they want to play Champions League football next season.
Captain Terry started his first game since
returning from a knee injury in the 2-2 draw with third tier Brentford on
Sunday (Monday, PHL time) and was clearly not impressed.
[Related: Torres rescues FA Cup holders Chelsea
with late goal]
"It was always going to be hard. The pitch
was a bit worse than we thought, but no excuses," Terry told Chelsea TV.
"We're really disappointed, and even though
it's great to be back personally, on a team performance we should be winning
the game and now we make it difficult for ourselves with a replay.
"We have another game we could do without
but we should beat them at the Bridge. I was disappointed because we didn't
fight and they wanted it more than us."
Only a late equalizer from Fernando Torres spared
Chelsea an embarrassing exit against Brentford following their League Cup
semifinal defeat by Swansea City.
Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions League
at the group stage and are a distant third in the Premier League.
Terry's knee injury meant he has hardly featured
since Rafa Benitez replaced Roberto Di Matteo as coach, but now he is back he
wants a big improvement against Reading in the Premier League on Wednesday
(Thursday, PHL time).
"It's disappointing going to Swansea and not
scoring over two legs, then being lackluster [at Brentford]," he said.
"We came [to Brentford] and didn't create
too much. Fair play to them, they played well but we need to liven up a bit and
realize the importance to the fans and the club.
"Champions League football is a must next
season. It's difficult but we have a squad and it's down to the players who
come in to rotate and play well."
Goalkeeper Petr Cech and central defender David
Luiz are both ruled out for the trip to Reading.
Cech has a calf injury and may return for the
match at Newcastle United this weekend but Luiz is expected to miss both games
due to a calf problem. - Reuters
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