Guus Hiddink is the man who used the word responsibility 10 times when he first talked about discipline after arriving at Chelsea.
The no-nonsense Dutch coach now has his first chance to show what happens to players who cross him.
Hiddink will be well aware that the furore caused by Ashley Cole's arrest and fine is all the greater because of the England full-back's poor public image.
Cole is likely to be dropped for the weekend FA Cup quarter-final clash at Coventry by the new Blues boss, who was brought in precisely because owner Roman Abramovich wants to re-establish discipline at the club.
That appeared to break down under former coaches Luiz Felipe Scolari (right), Avram Grant and even Jose Mourinho, in his final days at the Bridge.
Hiddink has been extremely keen to stress that he wants his squad to work hard and maintain high professional standards.
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He has also tightened up the players' discipline in training and decreed that they must wear suits before matches. And his new charges have responded well with four 1-0 wins in their only four matches under the Dutchman.
They have also lapped up the more intense, arduous training sessions at the club's Cobham training ground. But Cole has fallen out of line by bringing the club - and the widespread perception of Chelsea's millionaire stars - into disrepute.
Cole publicly apologised for his behaviour last night, but insisted he had not drunk excessively. However, mid-week drinking is one thing, getting arrested for being drunk and disorderly is quite another.
Chelsea are still bidding for the Cup and the Champions League, although Manchester United disappearing over the horizon in the Premier League.
Hiddink, perhaps mindful of Scolari's rift with Blues striker Didier Drogba, must now tread the fine line between asserting his authority and ensuring that the squad remain united behind what he is trying to do.
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