Lampard: Chelsea loss ‘time to look for a bit of character’

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said his side was “below par” in a 1-0 home loss to West Ham, but he isn’t looking for the panic button.

The Blues lost their second-straight league match and are winless in three across all competitions, but ran into a strong debutant keeper in 33-year-old David Martin.

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These things happen across a Premier League season, Lampard says, and he’s not panicking as his fourth-placed Blues fell 14 points behind leaders Liverpool. From Football.London:

“Generally, collectively we could have handled that game better. This isn’t the worst thing for us as long as we react in the right way. There will be moments like this. We weren’t going to be Invincibles, we have to pass little tests. We can do more going forward.”

Lampard says his team is going to turn it around, and that he’ll learn more about his players’ mettle over the coming days and weeks.

Chelsea meets Aston Villa, Everton, and Bournemouth in league play before meeting old pal Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.

“I still believe in the squad. That will be questions that will be asked. I do believe in the squad. There isn’t a time for harsh reactions or judgements. It is a look for a bit of character.”

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