Scolari sticks with under-fire Drogba

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI insists he has no fears about playing Didier Drogba at West Bromwich Albion today despite the coin-throwing antics that have left the Chelsea striker facing a three-match ban.

Drogba has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association and is under investigation by London police after throwing a coin at Burnley supporters following his goal in Wednesday’s League Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast star, who had picked up the coin after it was thrown at him from the Burnley section of the ground, is certain to face more provocation from a hostile crowd at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

But Blues manager Scolari has no intention of taking him out of the firing line for his own protection.

Drogba, who is working his way back to full fitness from a knee injury, could even start as the Brazilian manager tries to shake up his team following their shock Cup exit in midweek.

“I’m not someone to say kill or not kill. I’m only the coach and I’ll receive the information from the police, the club, the FA,” Scolari said.

“Didier is very good. He is in good condition. He can play this weekend. After three or four months, he’s ready. He’s starting to play. He has played the last few games and might be able to play 65 or 70 minutes, but not a full game”.

The forward’s team-mate, Frank Lampard, has pleaded for leniency from the FA, arguing that a suspension could encourage other fans to throw missiles in the hope of provoking players.

“He’s made a mistake,” Lampard said. “If Didier gets banned, are fans going to do this more to provoke people? Who knows? I think it’s got to a stage now where it’s got to stop.”

Scolari is especially keen to keep Drogba involved because Chelsea’s lack of killer instinct is starting to worry the Brazilian.

Scolari believes his side are missing too many chances, and the Burnley defeat underlined his point.

“We’re still making mistakes in front of goal, but if we score one or two goals, we win every time,” Scolari said.

“Most clubs won’t give us more than three or four opportunities. We have more chances to win than when we play at Stamford Bridge because the clubs we play outside are playing at home, with the pressure of the fans on them to win the game.

“That gives us the chance to play more freely. At Stamford Bridge, they play for a draw all the time and only have one or two chances.

“In the last 20 games we’ve played, there have only been one or two that haven’t been good. Against Burnley, we didn’t play a bad game.

“They had two shots in the entire game and scored once. That’s fantastic and better than us. We had four chances and only scored once.”

Meanwhile West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has defended his philosophy of building for the long-term. The Baggies are propping up the table after a run of one point from the last five games.

Mowbray said: “You can’t let yourself get sucked down when you are bottom and have lost a few games. You have got to keep believing in what you are doing, that it is right.”