Alan Shearer has slammed Chelsea following their "really poor" attacking performance against Southampton on Saturday afternoon with Graham Potter under "huge pressure" as head coach at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues' home support made their frustration and anger abundantly clear at full-time and booed the team off after the relegation-threatened Saints pulled off a shock 1-0 win. Potter accepted that the reaction at full-time from the fans was fair enough considering the circumstances.
"After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable," the under-fire Chelsea head coach 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.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Azpilicueta injury, fan rage, Fofana change, Chelsea regression
"I'm sure there will be people out there that think I'm the problem, absolutely. I don't think they are right but I'm not arrogant 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."
Southampton took the lead in first-half stoppage time with a trademark James Ward-Prowse free-kick beating Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal. The Blues responded at half-time with Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling both being introduced.
Sterling in particular made an impact, with the returning England international going close on multiple occasions. However, the Saints defended resolutely with some superb last-ditch blocks and challenges to frustrate the hosts at Stamford Bridge.
Conor Gallagher also went close late on with Gavin Bazunu making a strong save to deny Chelsea once again. The Blues ended the match with 17 shots, but only five of them on target. Despite dominating the ball – with 62% possession – Southampton held on for the three points.
"It was a mixture of magnificent defending and goalkeeping, and really poor forward play from Chelsea," Shearer explained on BBC's Match of the Day coverage. "At times, I'm lost to see what they're trying to do.
"It's a worrying time for Potter. He's under huge pressure. One win in 10, four goals in the last 10 in all competitions, so nowhere near good enough in forward positions – they are miles away from it."
Chelsea now have a rare week-long break until they return to action. The Blues make the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday in what is a crucial Premier League meeting between the two London clubs.
After that is a home match with Leeds United before welcoming Borussia Dortmund to Stamford Bridge to try and overturn the one-goal Champions League deficit following the first-leg defeat in Germany. Now, it feels as if every match could be crucial for Potter and his future.
Todd Boehly and the Chelsea board still see Potter as the man to lead the club forward. They have trust that the 47-year-old is the right man to oversee their long-term project but things do change in football, as we well know, and they will be completely aware of the supporters' reaction at full-time on Saturday afternoon.
READ NEXT:
What Wesley Fofana did amid Chelsea boos as bold Graham Potter plan dramatically backfires
Chelsea player ratings as Raheem Sterling impact not enough to deny damaging Southampton win
Everything Graham Potter has said on his Chelsea future and getting sacked as pressure mounts
Mauricio Pochettino preferred Graham Potter and Chelsea replacement as fans demand immediate change
