Graham Potter insisted he isn’t at fault for Chelsea’s woes because the struggling Blues hit a brand new low in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat in opposition to Southampton.
Potter’s aspect have been crushed by the Premier League’s backside membership, who took the factors dwelling from Stamford Bridge due to a trademark free-kick from James Ward-Prowse late within the first half.
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Southampton received for simply the second time within the league since October, leaving hapless Chelsea’s winless run within the league at 4 matches.
Chelsea struggled to create clear possibilities and have been booed off by annoyed followers on the finish of an eighth goalless effort of their final 13 video games.
With the strain mounting on Potter, who was solely employed to switch the sacked Thomas Tuchel in September, the previous Brighton boss launched a stout defence of his credentials.
“After a 1-0 defeat at dwelling, any criticism you get is comprehensible,” Potter mentioned.
“We’ve had a tricky interval, we’ve had a lot of challenges, integrating younger gamers into the Premier League. Whilst outcomes don’t go your approach, it may be robust.
“I’m positive there might be individuals on the market who will assume I’m the issue. I don’t assume they’re proper.
Potter minimize a annoyed determine throughout Chelsea’s shock loss to Southampton. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
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“I’m not smug sufficient to say their opinion isn’t value articulating. My job is to assist the workforce holding working by way of a tricky interval.”
Chelsea spent greater than $AUD525 million on new signings within the January switch window, however Potter is but to show that massive funding into an enchancment in outcomes.
Aware of the discuss that he may very well be going through the sack, Potter conceded Chelsea’s newest loss, coming days after a 1-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League final 16 first leg, was one other blow.
“The fact is we took a step again in our efficiency within the first half. The response within the second half was good, however not ok,” he mentioned.
Potter’s Chelsea has received simply two video games from their final 15. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
“When we’ve misplaced 1-0 at dwelling to Southampton, with the best respect to them, it isn’t ok. The first half was as a lot my duty as anyone’s. I believed the efficiency wasn’t good.”
Potter’s issues have been compounded by a severe damage to captain Cesar Azpilicueta within the second half, with the defender leaving the pitch on a stretcher with an oxygen masks after being kicked within the head by Sekou Mara.
“He’s in hospital. He’s aware, he was chatting with his spouse. We are clearly actually involved. He’s in the perfect place and we’ll preserve monitoring him,” Potter mentioned.
“I feel he was unconscious. We must take all of the precautions we have to take now. It was worrying. It was a horrible incident.”
