Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that he doesn't need the club's backing following his side's 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Villas-Boas has been the subject of much criticism since he arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer, and he has acknowledged that something is not quite right at the club.

The Portuguese manager also suggested that he doesn't feel that he deserves the club's public backing at the moment.

"I don't think the club need to back me. We just need to get on with our jobs and everyone has to be better, the players and management staff, everyone. For us to demand to be backed we have to improve. It's not for the owner to come and back us when things go like this," said the 34-year-old boss.

"Every defeat that Chelsea suffer piles more pressure on any manager. Any manager who suffers a defeat at a top club has more pressure on them. It's acceptable that pressure piles.

"You have to agree that this result puts more pressure on me. We stick to the same position, fifth, but we are now three points behind fourth."

Villas-Boas joined the club this summer having led Porto to four trophies in his one season there.