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Graham Potter confirms board talks after Southampton defeat.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has revealed he held a meeting with the Blues board in the aftermath of the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.
Potter’s fan base is decreasing following the defeat to the Premier League’s lowest club, with many calling for the former Brighton manager to be fired after the game concluded with a chorus of boos.
Potter later discussed his future with the Chelsea leadership, and the manager affirmed he still had their backing.
“Yes, I’ve spoken to them and it’s the same as it’s always been,” the boss explained. “There has always been support.
“I’ve been under pressure here for four months from you guys. Have you spoken to the owners? Do you have their support? That continues and they’ve been great, brilliant. They also see where we’re at but at the same time are frustrated because the results are what they are and we have to do better.”
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Potter continued by acknowledging that he still needs to win over many of his fans, but he pledged to do it by once again winning games.
“Supporters, rightly so, are upset because we lost at home to Southampton,” he continued. “Supporters care and when they are upset, they let their feelings be known and we expect that. It would be naïve to not think that is a fair response.
“I’ve had a lot of support from the supporters as well and while everyone would agree we’re not happy with the current situation and position, there are a lot of people who recognise where we’re at, what’s happened, and what the challenges have been for us. In the meantime, I know there isn’t anything I can say – if they are against us, – with us. The solution is that we have to win matches.
“If you are Chelsea and lose 1-0 at home to Southampton, who are bottom of the league, then you expect fans to be critical and voice their criticism. That’s fair, there is no point in me saying that isn’t right. That is completely OK.
“Then it’s about how we analyse the situation we’re in now, how we analyse this season, are their factors that bring us to this point, and then we have to consider those as well. As I said, you’ve got to hold both positions. Results haven’t been good enough, defeat at home to Southampton isn’t good enough, and you’re entitled to be angry. My response is there are contributing factors to that result as well.
“I’m not here to convince [fans], my actions have to convince them, the team has to convince them, we’ve got to win matches. There is nothing I can say.”
Graham Potter on Chelsea board: “It’s always been support. I’ve spoke to them and it’s the same as it’s always been”. 🔵🤝🏻 #CFC
“I’ve been under pressure here for four months”.@footballdaily 🎥 pic.twitter.com/TbHuUTJGQZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2023