Diamond system still Carlo Ancelotti's best friend

Simon Johnson
30.10.09

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti today vowed he will not change his style of play to cure the team's problems away from home.

Chelsea travel to Bolton tomorrow having lost their last two away matches in the Premier League, at Wigan and Aston Villa.

Their diamond midfield has, at times, been overrun away from the Bridge, in stark contrast to home games, where they boast a 100 per cent record using the same system. But Ancelotti is convinced his tactics can work everywhere and said: "We want to maintain the same system and will follow it at home and away.

"The last matches away weren't good for us but we don't have to change the way we play. It works at home and away."

The match comes just three days after Chelsea beat Bolton 4-0 in the Carling Cup but Ancelotti is expecting a much tougher match. He said: "Bolton want to change something in respect to Wednesday. We don't want to change, we want to stay the same.

"Bolton can play differently. Kevin Davies will be back and he is a very good player."

Branislav Ivanovic (leg) and Salomon Kalou (hamstring) face fitness tests but Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa, Yury Zhirkov, Hilario and John Obi Mikel are out.