Premier League: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho refuses to back down over criticism of support

Monday 3 November 2014 12:16, UK

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to back down from his scathing attack on the club's lacklustre support.

Mourinho criticised his team for a lack of intensity after the 2-1 home win over struggling QPR, but his biggest frustration was aimed at the home fans who he claimed were far too quiet during the game.

Chelsea are riding high at the top of the table, after winning all five of their Premier League home games this season, but Mourinho is mystified as to why the atmosphere is so poor at Stamford Bridge.

"We are the team to get less support in home matches. When compared to my previous time I think it's getting worse," he said.

"I don't question the passion and the love - I'm nobody to question that and I know clearly that is not true.

"I will always love them and respect them, but I don't know (why the atmosphere is poor)."

After two games in little more than 48 hours - the 1-1 draw at Manchester United and 2-1 Capital One Cup defeat of Shrewsbury - Mourinho was relieved to negotiate a difficult week.

"The week was very strange," added the Portuguese, whose side play at Maribor in Champions League Group G on Wednesday.

"You play Manchester United on the Sunday, on the Monday you travel. Some of the players had two days off.

"Some of the others had to go to Shrewsbury immediately. Some of them in Shrewsbury played 90 minutes.

"Some had a free day the next day (Thursday) but it was a working day for the others.

"It was a very strange week to work and to be focused. We tried, but the individual performances weren't there and the collective performance was not there too.

"We have to be more consistent and to play better. In the end we deserved to win, (but) the result could've been more than such a narrow result.

"It's important to win when you don't play so well as normal."

Watch Maribor v Chelsea on Sky Sports 1HD from 7pm on Wednesday.