'The players must do it themselves' - a fan's view on discipline issues

The stats do not lie when it comes to discipline - Chelsea are bottom of the 'Fair Play' table in the Premier League, continuing an unwanted trend over the last three years.

This season especially it has cost the team enough points to put Champions League qualification in jeopardy with six sides vying for potentially five places.

Much of the blame is being placed on the team's average age, but the majority of the squad has multiple years of Premier League experience under their belt, suggesting the issue tends towards a certain rashness or petulance among players.

Conceding red cards from slightly misjudged tackles, tactical fouls, or just harsh refereeing decisions is one thing. However, the atmosphere on the pitch is also clouded by dissent towards officials - see the many charges brought against the club by The FA for failing to control players - as well as players needlessly getting involved in altercations with opponents while simple mental errors, especially in defence, are also commonplace.

Of course, this could be improved by having better leadership. The issue on-field is that most of the clear cut first choice players are relatively quieter figures who lead by sheer talent while off it, former manager Enzo Maresca publicly de-emphasised its importance just days before getting sent off himself at the climax of October's win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

It is too soon to tell if the tone will change under Liam Rosenior, who astutely demanded accountability from his players following last weekend's draw with Burnley.

But, with the club's recruitment strategy focused on youth, the likelihood of signing an established captaincy type figure who just slots into the first choice XI seems slim.

Simply put, the players must do it themselves.

Find more from Ross Mooring at Chelsea Fancast