Six games without a win and six points behind the nearest title contenders does not bode too well for Rafa Benitez as he desperately tries to take Chelsea back to winning ways against West Ham United at Upton Park in Saturday's early kickoff of the English Premier League.
Benitez did not make things any easy for himself by putting out a more defensive minded team and seeing his stars play out another dull goalless draw against Fulham following their drab 0-0 game against Manchester City last weekend.
There is no doubt that Benitez is being a little unfairly treated by his own club's fans, even if their reasons behind the treatment might be justified.
If Chelsea do not find a way to come together as a club, both off and on the field, their chances of regaining that English Premier League title will slip away quicker than a sunny day in London.
Chelsea currently face a confidence crisis in front of goal, not only for their much-maligned striker Fernando Torres, but also for their much-admired playmaking trio of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar.
Hazard, especially, has seen his form go down alarmingly over the past month or so. From starting the season on absolute fire, the Belgian now looks a little demotivated and unable to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, with some of his teammates reportedly unhappy with his lack of work rate.
Hazard's form is a blip for sure, because the 21-year-old has way too much talent and technical ability to not succeed in England; it is just a matter of sorting out his mental capacity and getting him to play at the level shown in the first few games, where he was a part of almost every single Chelsea goal.
Mata was rested for the game against Fulham, and the Blues' lack of potency without the Spanish playmaker was starkly evident. While the 23-year-old has gone off the boil a little bit in the last couple of games, there is no doubting the fact Chelsea look much more dangerous going forward with Mata at the helm.
There is probably no manager in the Premier League currently who needs a win more than Benitez, and that desperation should not come across to his players in a negative manner, leaving his team also equally nervous.
Saturday's game will also be welcomed because it will be on the first day of December, meaning their dreaded November month is behind them. Whether the poor run was just another November slump, or the beginning of a much more larger problem will be known for sure when the Blues take the field against a West Ham side capable of beating any team on their day, despite suffering successive defeats to Tottenham and Manchester United.
Team News: Chelsea will still be without Daniel Sturridge, Frank Lampard and John Terry, with Mata expected to return to the starting lineup. Davil Luiz will also miss out through suspension.
For West Ham, Mark Noble is available after serving a one-match suspension, but Yossi Benayoun is ruled out with George McCartney doubtful.
Expected lineups: West Ham: Jaaskelainen; Demel; Reid, Tomkins, O'Brien; Noble, Diame; Maiga, Jarvis, Nolan; Carroll.
Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Mata, Hazard, Bertrand; Torres.
Prediction: 1-0 to Chelsea
