Graham Potter says the Chelsea supporters are “entitled to be angry” after their side lost 1-0 to Southampton at the weekend.
The Saint are still bottom of the table despite picking up three points at Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea fans made their feelings known by booing the team and manager at the final whistle.
It is now just two wins in 14 matches in all competitions for Chelsea and there has been growing pressure on Potter to turn around results as they look increasingly likely to miss out on European football.
And Potter has sympathy for the fans ahead of their clash with Tottenham. He told a pre-match press conference (via Football.London): “Supporters, rightly so, are upset because we lose at home to Southampton. Supporters care, when they are upset they make their frustrations known.
“There’s nothing I can say that will make the supporters – if they are against us – with us. The solution is that we have to win football matches.
“Some understand the position. If you lose 1-0 at home to Southampton, who are bottom of the league, you expect fans to voice their criticism. Then it’s how you analyse the situation, how you analyse this season, the factors that bring us to this point, and you have to consider those as well.
“Results haven’t been good enough, 1-0 defeat to Southampton isn’t good enough, they are entitled to be angry.”
On whether he’s had support from the Chelsea board, he said: “I’ve spoken to them and it’s the same as it’s always been, there’s always been support. I’ve been under pressure here for four months and constant questions about support.”
On why he needs time, Potter added: “It’s really tough. My quote a few weeks ago is that it’s the toughest job in football,, and there are reasons for that. Speaking to a few of the experienced guys, they said it was the worst pre-season they’ve had. Organisationly, the tour didn’t work as well as they’d like. I wasn’t there so I can’t say.
“We thought we made progress, but the first half against Southampton was below par. The sky can fall. These are some of the facts. Inconvenient facts, but that’s the situation.”
Asked about the response from the players after the Southampton defeat, Potter continued: “The response has been really good. We’ve had conversations and talks, to put thing into perspective as well. It’s been a tough week. Results haven’t been good enough, it’s important to acknowledge that.
“You have to take two positions. It’s not good at home and results haven’t been good enough for us. It’s the third game in a week, where we’re at as a squad, and why we are where we are, there are lots of factors. Then it’s important to manage the situation properly.
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