Mourinho continues to refute boring tag

CHELSEA coach Jose Mourinho prepared for a return to Premiership action this weekend by continuing his defence against criticism that his side is ‘boring’.

The Portuguese coach defended his side’s style of play as they look to increase their lead at the top of the Premiership against Bolton at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have a 100% record in the Premiership this season and have a nine-point lead over second-placed Charlton.

Mourinho fails to see how anyone could call his side ‘boring’ but concedes it is a mentality he and his side will have to live with for the time being.

“I think they were very happy when Chelsea was a losing side,” he said. “At that time football in England was not boring for them. We have to live with this kind of mentality and give the answer at the right time. My only doubt sometimes is that the critics have an intention or the critics are people who do not understand football well.”

Chelsea attracted much criticism for their 1-0 win over an ultra-defensive Anderlecht side in the Champions League. Mourinho was keen to point out there is a difference between watching a boring match and a boring team.

He agrees with the critics who claim it was a poor game to watch, but maintains it was wrong to suggest his team were boring.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger admits he will be short on numbers ahead of the clash with West Brom tomorrow, but revealed Sol Campbell could return for next week’s Champions League trip to Prague.

Left-back Ashley Cole is out for what could be anything up to two months after the England international suffered a stress fracture of his foot, which needed surgery.

So the news the injury to Campbell, who hobbled out of the World Cup qualifier against Austria last Saturday with a hamstring problem, is not as severe as first thought will be welcomed by the Gunners manager.

Nevertheless, the selection problems continue for the Arsenal boss ahead of the trip to The Hawthorns.

Midfielder Alexander Hleb sustained a knee problem while on duty with Belarus, while jet-setting Brazilian Gilberto and injured captain Thierry Henry are both set to be missing this weekend.

At least centre-back Philippe Senderos is fit again following a back problem, despite the Swiss international having picked up a minor eye infection. French youngster Gael Clichy is set to come in for Cole at left-back.

Manchester United’s defensive injury curse looks set to force Alex Ferguson into handing rookie full-back Phil Bardsley his first Premiership start at Sunderland tomorrow.

Although Old Trafford officials have yet to release details of the precautionary scan Kieran Richardson was forced to undergo on a thigh injury picked up on international duty, it seems unlikely he will be fit for the trip to Wearside.

With Gary Neville, Gabriel Heinze, Wes Brown and Quinton Fortune already missing, Ferguson has little alternative other than to draft Bardsley in at right-back.