Chelsea were as bad as you could have possible imagined against Manchester City in the English Premier League Sunday. Wednesday will see the Blues face a completely different test - against Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the F.A. Cup -- and if they fail yet again, their season might just start to unravel further.
The Blues, who will face Manchester United in the quarterfinals if they go through, are in serious danger of losing their top-four position in the league, while only two cup competitions - the Europa League and the F.A. Cup - remain as realistic targets of silverware.
Rafa Benitez has come under much fire, not just from the fans, but also from critics with the Spaniard failing to reignite Chelsea's season since his appointment last year.
There was a reported bust-up between the manager and the senior players, after Benitez questioned Chelsea's desire, following their woeful showing against Manchester City.
Benitez, however, played down those reports, saying it was just a frank exchange of views between people who want to win and bring Chelsea back on track, while insisting he has no problems with skipper John Terry, who has found playing time hard to come by since the Spaniard's arrival at Stamford Bridge.
"This was a normal meeting between players and technical staff, which happens after every game, it was normal talk, nothing else," he told reporters. "You show your disappointment, that is normal.
"It was very brief exchange of ideas, and that is it, nothing else. It is just a team talk after a defeat.
"We had a meeting on the pitch with my players and technical staff, which is part of our business.
"I can understand the frustrations of Terry, he is an important player for us and has been injured with his knee.
"He's been injured for a long time, he's had a few problems with his knee and missed some training sessions.
"To play against Brentford he had some special treatment and a specific plan that we prepared for him. We are managing him, we know he's an important player for us and it's normal to share opinions.
"Now we have to move on and start thinking about Middlesbrough."
Middlesbrough, who will have the advantage of playing at home against the Premier League club, are also on a bit of a bad run at the moment, having failed to pick up a victory in their last three matches in the Championship, which has seen them go down to seventh, one place below the final playoff place.
Benitez has said his priority at the moment is the league, and with a tricky clash against West Brom looming large Saturday, he just might rest a few of his players.
Gary Cahill (virus) and Cesar Azplicueta (leg) are ruled out, with Oriol Romeu a long-term casualty.
Middlesbrough have a few injury problems, with former Arsenal man Justin Hoyte and Stuart Parnaby sidelined while forward Lukas Jutkiewicz is a doubt. On-loan Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran is also ineligible to play against his parent club.
Expected lineups: Middlesbrough: Teele; Bikey, Williams, McManus, Friend; Carayol, Leadbitter, Dyer, Hailliday; McDonald, Main.
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand; Mikel, Ramires; Moses, Oscar, Marin; Torres.
Prediction: 2-1 to Chelsea
