Graham Potter has insisted he is the right man to lead Chelsea but understands those who disagree.
The Blues welcomed Southampton, bottom of the table and without a manager, to Stamford Bridge and lost 1-0, thanks to James Ward-Prowse’s match-winning free kick late in the first half.
Chelsea have won just once in 2023 and leaves Potter with just 10 points earned from the last 11 matches having seen his side score just once in five games.
Potter’s side were booed off at half-time and full-time, with a number of fans directing their ire at the manager with calls for him to be sacked.
"After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable,” he said.
"I think we’ve had a tough period and I think we’ve had lots of challenges in terms of integrating young players into the Premier League. While results don’t go your way it can be tough, that is how it is.
"I’m sure there will be people out there that think I’m the problem, absolutely. I don’t think they’re right but I’m not arrogant enough to say their opinion isn’t worth articulating.
"My job is to help the team, keep working through a team period, we’ve had to make some changes today and the truth is we took a step back in our performance in the first half. The response in the second half was good, but it wasn’t good enough.”
