SO, in the never-ending soap opera that is Chelsea Football Club, we have now axed four managers in the five-and-a-half years that Roman Abramovich has been in charge. This is a record of transferring people to the gulags that would be impressive even in Stalinist Russia.

Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins insists star striker Didier Drogba will not be sold in the January transfer window.

Southend 1 Chelsea 4

Man Utd 1 Wigan 0

Didier Drogba has been sensationally axed from Chelsea’s side to face Southend tonight.

Chelsea have vowed to put right their recent mistakes and get their campaign back on track with FA Cup victory at Southend tomorrow night.

CHELSEA manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has shifted the emphasis from attack to defence this week in a bid to keep the club’s faltering title challenge on track.

Leeds have refused to comment on speculation linking manager Dennis Wise with a move to Newcastle.

A RECORD transfer fee for an eircom League player was agreed yesterday as Cork City finally agreed terms with Fulham for striker Roy O’Donovan.

Southend chairman Ron Martin has admitted defeat in his pursuit of Republic of Ireland B international Roy O’Donovan with the Cork City striker appearing on the brink of joining Fulham.

Dennis Wise faces a another charge of improper conduct after being sent from the dug-out for a second time as Leeds manager.

Daryl Murphy ensured Sunderland’s push for automatic promotion remained on track with an 89th-minute equaliser against promotion rivals Stoke at the Stadium of Light.

Southend boosted their hopes of Coca-Cola Championship survival and completed a miserable week for QPR with a 5-0 rout at Roots Hall.

ALAN PARDEW admits it “hurts” to see former West Ham trainee Freddy Eastwood banging in the goals for Southend.

CARLING CUP hero Darryl Flahavan celebrated Southend’s stunning success over Manchester United and roared ‘Bring on Chelsea or Arsenal’.

Alex Ferguson has pledged Manchester United’s stunning Carling Cup exit at Southend will not trigger any knee-jerk reaction from inside the Red Devils camp.

Southend 1 Manchester United 0

Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo could be unleashed on Southend tomorrow as Manchester United look to book a place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

Manchester United’s dressing room could not help chuckling when they were sent to Southend for their next Carling Cup mission, but Kieran Richardson insists the holders will have their serious faces on when they visit Roots Hall in a fortnight.

Nigel Worthington has indicated he would be interested in becoming manager of his former club Sheffield Wednesday.

Birmingham moved two points clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after an own goal from former City player Darren Purse meant Cardiff had to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw at Plymouth.

Sunderland midfielder Graham Kavanagh admits it has been “strange” to work under former Republic of Ireland team-mate Roy Keane as they prepare for their first game for the Black Cats.

Sunderland’s dismal start to the season continued as they slumped to the bottom of the Coca-Cola Championship with a 3-1 loss to promoted Southend.

Southend are set to announce their new manager today with former England international Stan Collymore favourite to land the post.

Southend 0 Charlton 2

Hampshire Football Association chief executive Laurence Jones has expressed his sympathy over the death of referee Mike North.

A referee has died after collapsing with a heart attack on the pitch during the Third Division game between Southend and Mansfield.