As we prepare to visit Wigan today, Ashley Cole is hoping for a repeat performance of last week's win over Portsmouth.

The left-back has been in fine form throughout pre-season, and continued with a superb attacking display at Stamford Bridge last week, in a match that saw us run out comfortable 4-0 winners.

'It was a good performance throughout the team, right from the very start of the game and the early goal helped us settle quickly,' he said.

One of the main topics for discussion after the game was the freedom afforded to Cole and José Bosingwa on the opposite flank by manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

With John Mikel Obi happy to sit deep in the midfield, it allowed the full-backs to get forward and support the attack.

'I enjoyed being able to get forward and not have to worry so much about defending,' he explained. 'It is something I used to do a lot at Arsenal and I have always looked to get involved where I can, but having Mikel there means José and I can take the odd risk and it is sure to pay off at some point.'

Indeed Cole was so keen on attacking when he was younger that he actually started life a as a striker.

'It's true, but I moved back in a youth game when we had some players missing, and never really looked back from there,' he said.

Now, while Scolari has encouraged him to attack, he maintains his priority is still clean sheets.

'Ultimately I am a defender and that's what I was brought to the club to do. We haven't conceded many goals in the past, and if we can continue that then we won't be far from success,' he said.

Blues fans will be hoping that is the case, and will have no complaints if Cole is seen more in the opposition's half than his own in 2008/9.