Alan Smith column: Lampard must hand Giroud lead role to get Werner fully firing again

I said last week that the FA Cup tie against Morecambe could prove useful for Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, who have struggled a little since arriving in London.

That’s how it turned out, at least in terms of goals. Both found the net, which should cheer them up a bit, but neither will feel properly back on course until consistently performing in the Premier League against better sides. Confidence doesn’t properly return after a simple tap-in against League Two opponents, as was the case for Werner.

No, when you haven’t scored in the past nine Premier League games and had only seven efforts on target in that time, returning to your best means going on a good scoring run over the next couple of months, as well as causing lots of problems with sharp, intelligent movement.

Frank Lampard, for one, must hope this comes to pass, because a re-energized Werner would help lift a team that has been spluttering and stuttering, searching for the vibrant form enjoyed earlier this season.

No doubt about it, the onus is on Lampard to engineer a turnaround in fortunes and do it pretty quickly. He, of all people, doesn’t need reminding of the inevitable consequences should that fail to happen.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see the manager’s line-up for this derby. Werner led the line in the limp 3-1 defeat by Manchester City, with Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham remaining unused on the bench. It would be a major surprise if that happens again. For me, the experience of Giroud would be the right call in these pressurised circumstances, with Werner cutting in from the left side.

Let’s not forget, after all, that if Chelsea’s attack underperforms, Fulham’s defence is now capable of shutting them out. Five draws on the trot: for Scott Parker’s side that is certainly encouraging, given where they were a few months ago. They’re not scoring many, but neither are they giving much away, thanks to a freshly-built defence comprising players that, quite incredibly, have never competed at this level before.

As seen at Tottenham on Wednesday, the three As — Ola Aina (right), Joachim Andersen and Tosin Adarabioyo — have come together to form a solid rearguard that gives the team a fighting chance against the strongest of sides. Add in the other A — goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, superb at Spurs — and Parker can now go into games feeling more confident.

And having held Liverpool to a draw just before Christmas, Parker must hope he can get something here against another big gun. Were that to happen, a change at Stamford Bridge inches one step closer.

West Ham vs Burnley (Saturday, 3pm)

With the signing of Sebastien Haller proving an expensive mistake, West Ham must surely have a replacement lined up in this transfer window. If not, it would amount to incredibly bad planning at a club making promising strides under David Moyes. All that hard work in the first half of the season could potentially go up in smoke if a suitable striker doesn’t come in.

I mean, they can’t go through to May with only Michail Antonio, whose fragile state of fitness must be a concern. After the Haller debacle, the Hammers have got to get this one right by earmarking someone who can handle the unique demands of the Premier League. Haller was strong but nowhere near mobile enough. Securing the right man could define the team’s season.

Sheffield United vs Tottenham (Sunday, 2pm)

Dropping two points against Fulham makes this one even more vital, especially with Liverpool next on the list. Jose Mourinho, I’m sure, will still be fuming at Wednesday night’s events. A game there to be won slipped out of Tottenham’s grasp in a way that has become a little too familiar. Now they travel to Yorkshire to face a side boosted by their first win of the season.

That victory over Newcastle could possibly transform Chris Wilder’s team into the outfit of old, a very tough nut to crack that few enjoyed playing. To be honest, though, that looks unlikely. The Blades are too detached at the bottom of the table to gain much belief. Spurs, then, must show no mercy. They have got to be ruthless in taking their chances before closing a back door that sometimes swings open.

Man City vs Crystal Palace (Sunday, 7:15pm)

Such are the vagaries of football that Palace can lose 3-0 to 10-man Aston Villa in their last away game before deservedly holding Arsenal to a draw in their next road trip. Roy Hodgson must have been delighted with last night’s performance, a classic example of defensive resolve married to the odd moment of promise on the front foot. He’ll need plenty more of the same to navigate this one, when City might not prove as flat as the misfiring Gunners.

Pep Guardiola’s side, after all, seem to be finding their feet, despite the recent lack of a recognised striker. Phil Foden, for one, is doing a great job of compensating, with some vital goals from the left side. Keep him quiet and Kevin De Bruyne pops up on the other flank. For Palace, then, anything gained here should be regarded as a huge bonus.

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