Chelsea has had a poor 2012-13 season. One of the major reasons has been the record of eight wins, four draws, and two losses at home. The biggest issue has been the volatile fan base that has often resorted to attacking the team's performances. The Blues will look to improve their play at the Stamford Bridge when they take on West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
During pre-game comments, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce made sure to bring up the divided fan base. "I think Chelsea's team has suffered at Stamford Bridge because the fans have not been fully supportive of what has happened. That is nothing to do with Rafa, he can't help that," said Allardyce. "He is a manager trying to do a job the best he possibly can and he's obviously got a great CV at the jobs he has done at his other clubs.
''But it shows the importance of a volatile fan base that turned the other way, what effect it can have on a team."
He added, "In the reverse of that we all know the extra man that fans can create. You see the opposite of that at Chelsea and certainly in the early stages when Rafa took over and Chelsea suffered some poor results because of that. That's the effect the fans have on the team that plays on the field.''
When the two sides last met, Allardyce's squad won 3-1 on Dec. 1 in the midst of Chelsea's seven-game winless streak.
Predictions: Chelsea needs a win badly. They are in 4th place with only two points separating them from third place Tottenham Hotspur. A win vaults them into third place and puts them in a Champions League slot for next season.
Start Time: 12 PM EST
TV: Fox Soccer Channel.