JOHN TERRY: If he's fit for the bench - HE HAS TO START!

After reports of a bust up on the training ground on Monday, Rafa Benitez was quick to play things down yesterday and state that it was just a "normal" meeting with the players and technical staff. He claims that the players are 100% behind him even if the fans aren't.

One interesting thing for me that came out of his press conference was the situation with John Terry and the fact that he remained an unused substitute yet again against Manchester City at the weekend. When question about Terry being left out and of the reported heated discussion between the two on Monday, Benitez replied saying:

‘I can understand the frustration of Terry, an important player who is trying to help and push because he wants to win but he has had problems with his knee. Sometimes he hasn’t been able to finish the sessions because of the intensity but he’s getting fitter with every session. We see after every game how he feels. Still, he has to keep training and doing those sessions and he can do better.’

I have a major issue with this being honest because at the end of the day if a player is fit enough to be named on the bench ahead of someone else, he is fit to start in my eyes and if John Terry is fit enough for the bench, he should be starting on EVERY occasion without question.

I wrote a detailed analysis of the games we have lost or thrown away points under Benitez and included analysis of NINE games. In that analysis, I gave a break down of the key points in the game, Rafa's team selections and his substitutions looking at how he reacts to what is being played out in front of him.

Out of those nine games, John Terry remained an unused substitute in FOUR of them - Southampton at home, Swansea away, Reading away and Manchester City away. We didn't win any of those games and dropped seven points conceding six goals.

Chelsea need John Terry in every game now until the end of the season as we are never the same without him. He is everything THAT banner above says. Without him we have no leader on the pitch, no one can command the respect he does wearing that armband. He is the voice that inspires his players and fans and he will never settle for anyone giving less than he does week in, week out.

If Chelsea are to pick up their form and get back up that table, John Terry MUST start and it really is as simple as that!.

Carefree & KTBFFH

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