AZPILICUETA: 'The whole squad know we have to fight together.'

Cesar Azpilicueta has been quoted in the press, speaking after Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Liverpool at the weekend and revealed what he believes is the difference between this and last season.

He said:

'I think we are stronger mentally now. The players who came have given us another dimension as well. 

I think you saw that. When the team was losing we were still really strong mentally.

The whole squad know we have to fight together. Some players have more talent, some score goals, and sometimes we have to defend for them - but the main thing is we do it all as a team.

We got it back to 1-1 pretty soon and after that did very well. Obviously we'd prefer not to go behind but that is going to happen at times.

Over the last few games maybe we haven't played our best football and the scores have been tight but over the whole season you know that everyone can't keep playing very well and winning easy.

We knew it would be tough here (at Anfield) but we fought so hard until the end - the aim was just to get those three points and we did.

Last year we were so close to winning the title and this year we know it will be tough but that's what we want.

We will see in May. We're on top of the table but that's a long way off, but we want as few problems as possible up to then.'

I agree 100%. It's almost as though the supporters head into every game thinking we will win or at worse pick up a point and cannot see us losing at the moment. That feeling seems to be running through the squad no matter what game comes our way.

I have said it time and time again and what Tony Pulis achieved at Crystal Palace last season goes to emphasise my point, You have to be as much of a man manager these days as much or even more so as a tactical manager to succeed and Jose Mourinho is up there as the best.

He has worked so hard with this group of players to install a belief within them and a focus on togetherness and it's showing on the pitch this season.

Most importantly of all, you hear each and every single one of the players speak of the team and a willingness to fight for each other and the manager. That is what I believe to be the difference between Chelsea and our rivals so far this season.

Long may it continue!