Graham Potter confirms talks with Chelsea board after Southampton loss

Graham Potter, the Chelsea manager, has confirmed that he held talks with the club’s board after the team’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

This loss to the Premier League’s bottom side has caused fan support for Potter to dwindle, with significant calls from supporters to move on from the former Brighton boss. Following the match, the Chelsea boss confirmed that he retains the support of the board.

“Yes, I’ve spoken to them and it’s the same as it’s always been. There has always been support,” Potter said. “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.”

Potter also acknowledged that he has plenty of supporters to win over, but he vowed to do so by winning matches once again.

“Supporters care and when they are upset, they let their feelings be known and we expect that,” he said.

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“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.”

Potter also acknowledged that the fans’ criticism following the loss to Southampton was fair and that the team’s results haven’t been good enough.

“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,” he said.

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“Then it’s about how we analyse the situation we’re in now, how we analyse this season, are there 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.”

Potter stressed that he is not here to convince the fans, but rather, his actions and the team’s performance on the field will do the talking.

“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,” he said.