Chelsea: Four things to look for against Watford as Blues seek rebound

The Blues are seeking a rebound victory against Watford. What are four things that Chelsea should be looking for as they face the Hornets?

As with every other match from now until the end of the season, Chelsea does not have a short turn around to live in their previous match. That can be both good and bad and, against Watford, the Blues will be looking to quickly rebound from an embarrassing loss to West Ham United. What are four things the Blues should be looking for?

1. Who manages desperation better?

For obvious reasons, Chelsea and Watford both desperately need points at this stage in the season. For Chelsea, a Champions League berth is anything but a certainty, and Manchester United and Wolves don’t look like they’ll slow down any time soon. For Watford, they’re staring down into the cold abyss of the relegation zone, while Aston Villa and Bournemouth desperately grasp at the Hornets’ shoestrings to pull themselves out while casting Elton John’s crew down into the Championship.

Add in Chelsea’s recently shaken confidence, and there is a match that promises to be open and uncomfortable. It should make for great viewing, unless one has a heart condition.

The winner of this match will be the side who channels their desperation more effectively. A desperate side is typically full of energy, which can be applied in a number of ways. When channeled well, the results can be high flying performances full of goals and good vibes. Conversely, poorly channeled desperate energy leads to in fighting, red cards and an all encompassing sense of malaise that lasts for days.

Chelsea’s young team has yet to really experience desperation. This season has been mostly played with house money. It was supposed to be all about bringing the club into a new era, full of rainbows, butterflies and youth revolutions. While that has certainly happened (minus the rainbows and butterflies), the team ended up being a little more competitive than most people expected, and suddenly there are incredibly high stakes. To add to the stress, Chelsea is the one with a lead to protect.

Finishing the season in the top four would be about as good of a result as anyone could have hoped for heading into the campaign. Manchester United and Wolves won’t make it an easy task, but the Blues have their fate in their own hands. Every win is absolutely necessary, and that’s a lot to drop on the shoulders of such a young team. Frank Lampard will know all about this type of late season pressure cooker atmosphere, and will no doubt be trying to instill a sense of desperation and competitive zeal in his charges.

Watford’s version of desperation is much simpler, and the cataclysmic threat of relegation is a far more powerful motivator than simply missing out on Champions League football. Troy Deeney will bring enough blood and thunder to supply the whole squad, and Nigel Pearson has proven himself to be an exceptionally adept relegation avoider, while also not lacking for blood and thunder of his own.

So, who do you give the edge to? The younger, more talented team who are desperate but not that desperate, or the wiser but worse side that has way more to lose? That psychological war will be reflected in the football being played, and it will be obvious which team is better equipped to handle the pressure right from the first whistle. Here’s to hoping it’s Chelsea.