• Premier League

AVB admits some have lost faith

Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that some members of the Chelsea squad have turned against him but insists his project still has the backing of the owner.

Villas-Boas has endured a tough start to life as Chelsea manager, currently possessing the worst record of any of the bosses employed during the Roman Abramovich era and with the club in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification.

Following a meeting with Abramovich in the wake of last weekend's defeat to Everton, a story was leaked to the press claiming the players had turned on their manager. Villas-Boas denied "strong words" were exchanged and added: "We had no row. There was a meeting of technical staff and players - there was nothing dramatic. Everyone knows we need more. The results have not been impressive, it is up to the players and the management to take responsibility."

However, he did concede that there are now members of his squad who do not support his methods. "That is normal," he said. "They don't have to back my project. It's the owner who backs my project."

Villas-Boas remains confident that Abramovich will give him the time he needs to overhaul the squad despite the mounting problems.

Asked if he could lose his job, he replied: "I don't think so, but it's a question that you will have to ask the owner. I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have.

"In the end, that is the objective of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies, which we are fighting for. It will be extremely good for us if we win against Birmingham to put ourselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"But we need strong progression in the league and to show our strength, so we efficate a little bit more our contention for fourth place - as third is already ten points ahead of us - so that we get Champions League qualification.''

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