Chelsea skipper John Terry has revealed how a crisis meeting last month jump-started his side's sputtering season.
Held by Blackburn just days after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Inter, the Blues seemed to be spiralling out of Premier League contention and facing another barren year.
However, frank words from senior players in a strong Stamford Bridge dressing room cleared the air, releasing a run of form that has taken the Londoners from four points behind Manchester United to a healthy lead with just a handful of games remaining.
"A few weeks ago it didn't look as though we were in the running for anything really so we have turned it round," Terry told Sky Sports.
"We were obviously disappointed going out of the Champions League and our focus was no longer on that, it was on the league.
"We went to Blackburn hoping we could win and go to the top but we didn't.
"We didn't really show the fight and on the day Blackburn wanted it more than us. That was not acceptable.
"We had a little get-together, nothing too much, but since then we have been playing well and scoring lots of goals."
Terry was keen to emphasize the experience and character of the side as key to the meeting's success.
"We have got some big characters here, me, Lamps (Frank Lampard), Bally (Michael Ballack) and Petr Cech, those kind of players are worth their weight in gold at a bad time," he said.
"Everyone spoke their mind, we got off our chests what we were feeling, and went again - it was as simple as that.
"I don't want to make a big thing of it, we had the discussion between the management and players and everyone spoke honestly.
"It was a chance for everyone to get things off their chest: it is important players speak their mind.
"After a game everyone has to look at themselves and their own performance.
"Then we go in on the Monday or whenever it may be and the manager assesses the team as a whole."
He added: "we know as a group of players when we do make mistakes.
"We have got big characters around and we get up and back on the horse and go again."
Terry also highlighted his own honesty as a player, facing up to his mistakes on the pitch after revelations of an alleged extramarital affair with the former partner of his England team mate and ex-Chelsea man Wayne Bridge.
The Chelsea and former England captain had been as up front about affairs on the pitch as he had been reserved regarding those off it.
He added: "You don't see many players these days coming out and speaking as honestly as I did when I made the mistakes at Everton.
"I am my own worst critic: when I have a bad game, like I did at Everton, I came out publicly and said the two goals were my fault.
"But I didn't really see myself as playing badly, individually, but as a team we were not playing well.
"But the lads have stuck together, in a tough time, and we have come out the other end.
"Now we are in the [FA] cup final and top of the league."
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