Scolari’s stock will rise significantly if Liverpool are mastered

SO another obstacle overcome with only a modicum of discomfort: yet another goal conceded from a set-piece. Scolari must be very grateful indeed to Lampard as his amazing strike may have distracted the supporters enough to realise that the game itself was yet another insipid display against inferior opposition.

But a win is a win is a win and another replay could have meant more injuries. One person who probably wasn’t happy at the final whistle on Saturday was Michael Mancienne. He’s gone out on loan to Wolves, impressed not only fans and management at Wanderers but managed to come to the notice of the England manager and everything was looking rosy.

He was recalled, one would think to take an active part in the first team squad, and then the perfect opportunity presents itself for some first team action. The centre-back gets injured in an FA Cup game against the kind of opposition that Mancienne has been playing against all season — a no brainer you would have thought.

But no, Scolari elects to put on Ivanovic instead. We need to know if players like Mancienne and Stoch are going to be able to step up to the mark. How will we know if we don’t play them? Answers on a postcard addressed to Phil Scolari of SW6.

Speaking of the man in the hot-seat, his stock can rise considerably this weekend if we can beat Liverpool.

Now is as good a time as any to be facing Liverpool. Last weekend, Gerrard once again dug them out of a hole, so is it a case of stop him, stop the team? Not as simple as that due to our recent defensive frailties.

We also need Drogba to have one of his “on” days, even if it’s for shop window purposes. We all remember the game where he destroyed Liverpool single handed, but we haven’t seen one of those for a while and I think many are secretly hoping that the Drogba/Robinho swap deal is more than just paper talk.

I am thinking of setting up a new baby-sitting service for footballers as it is quite evident that they cannot be trusted out on their own. We are all aware that they’re not the sharpest tools in the box, but does it really take an Einstein to calculate that if you have been drinking, you really should not be driving. Especially if you are so rich that you could afford your own driver, never mind a cab home.

John Obi Mikel being charged with drink-driving is simply not acceptable. If he is found guilty (and let’s not forget that someone accused previously, Michael Essien, was cleared) he will no doubt be punished officially, but Chelsea should also take him to task over this. Although I am not one of those that believe that footballers are role models, I do think for the money they are paid they should be able to make simple choices which do not detrimentally affect their career or put others at risk.

The less said about Carlo Cudicini’s move to Tottenham the better. He has been a loyal servant and a model professional so I’d like to wish him all the best for the future except he went to White Hart Lane. I also think he is worth more than playing second fiddle to a clown of a keeper at a club which is fighting relegation.

And speaking of relegation fodder, tonight we have to convincingly beat Boro to help with the confidence for this weekend. Concentrate on the game in hand, get the mind-set of all involved right and hope that we get that rarest of things — a referee who isn’t influenced by the Kop and St Steevie (although I see he left the diving to Mascherano last Sunday). Next Sunday is one of the decisive games of the season for Chelsea. We shall see how they respond.