Losing Ray Wilkins a bit strange - Florent Malouda
Malouda has scored seven times in the Premier League this season
Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda has admitted the loss of former assistant boss Ray Wilkins was "a bit strange".
The west London club are winless since Wilkins's dismissal in November and have taken just six points from their last seven Premier League games.
Malouda told BBC Radio 5 live: "It was a bit strange to see him leave like this and we were not prepared for that.
"Ray was close to the players and in training he was involved in the animation of the sessions."
Chelsea looked more like their old selves on Sunday when they recovered from falling 1-0 behind to a strong Tottenham side to earn a point at White Hart Lane - and would have won the match if Didier Drogba had not failed to convert a late penalty.
The draw, combined with Manchester City's win at bottom-of-the-table West Ham, pushed Chelsea into fourth place.
French international Malouda said it was important to look forward and not dwell on recent struggles.
"What we need and what the fan needs is not the excuses to say 'that's the reason why'.
"What we need is good performance to turn things around and say 'that happened, maybe that was a poor run,' but afterwards we have to react and carry on because that's what happens in life and in sport."
He said manager Carlo Ancelotti was working on trying to "keep everybody calm" at Chelsea.
"He is trying to bring back serenity at the club because we are not used to those kind of results. In the past year and half we were successful and suddenly we are on a poor run.
"When it is like that you still have to carry on and and work and believe in what you do. So that's what he is trying to do, to speak to the players and try to find out the solutions," Malouda added.
Chelsea were boosted by the re-appearance of Frank Lampard on Sunday after the England international had spent more than three months out recovering from a hernia operation, and then a leg injury.
Lampard told Chelsea TV: "If we play with the spirit we played, I have no doubt we'll win the league, because we've got the quality in our team.
"Injuries have been tough on us, certain moments have been tough on us. But with the spirit and ability we've got in our team, if we play like that, I've got all confidence that we can do it.
"It's very tough. We have to fight on a few fronts. Man City are there now, Man United, Arsenal as we know. Teams like Tottenham are pushing behind.
"So we have to be at our best. But I think if we are at our best then I think we can go and win it."
Ancelotti is hoping to start with Lampard in his side for Sunday's mouthwatering clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?