Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has dismissed suggestions that his Blues squad are not progressing under his guidance.
The West Londoners have spent much of the Italian's first season in charge sitting in the top four of the Premier League table.
However, being held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich Town led to the club dropping down to sixth place and a considerable portion of the fanbase venting their frustrations, particularly when trailing the Tractor Boys by two goals.
After the game, Maresca hinted that jeers from the crowd led to mistakes being made by his players who opted for long balls over his preferred shorter passes.
Thursday's second leg of their Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warsaw, Chelsea holding a 3-0 lead, is a quick turnaround for all concerned, it unclear how positive the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge will remain.
© Iconsport
"We are going fast"
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Maresca reiterated that he feels that his senior crop are progressing on an upward trajectory, despite currently sitting in the same position as Mauricio Pochettino earned in the top flight before his exit in May.
The Italian said, as quoted by football.london: "For me, we are going fast. Now, again, what happened last year, two years ago, I was not here, I don't have an idea, I'm not going to judge because it's difficult. But this season, we are going. I think we can reach the European semi-final. Yes, for sure it's not the Champions League, but at the end it's the European competition.
"We have been top four all season, almost all season. Compared to the last two seasons, where the team has been zero times top four. I think it's quite clear that the direction is the right one. The style is the right one. Before the Ipswich game, we were the third best defenders after Arsenal and Liverpool. And the third or fourth best attacking.
"That shows that there are numbers, that shows that the team is doing well. Now, unfortunately, we didn't win against Ipswich. We are all upset and we're going to try to win more games from now on to reach the Champions League spot. Listen, to be honest, if fans complain because after four minutes our keeper gave the ball away. If I am one of the fans, I also complain.
"But sometimes also they complain with something that probably they cannot see, but it's a planned game. So it depends game by game. Again, if they complain because last year or last two years, I don't know.
"The only thing I can say is that the fans with us, they have been always good. Sometimes they are not happy. But when you are 0-2 at home against Ipswich and we are making some mistake, it's normal that they are not happy. That's why I said we have to be good enough to engage the fans. Against Spurs, it was a perfect environment. And I said immediately after the game, because probably we were able to engage the people."
© Imago
What is ahead for Chelsea?
Maresca is expected to name a second-string starting lineup for the next game with Legia Warsaw, particularly when a trip to neighbours Fulham follows.
Should Chelsea lose at Craven Cottage on Sunday, they will sit just three points clear of their nearest rivals who will begin the weekend in ninth position.
Chelsea are then back in action when they host Everton on April 26 before squaring off against leaders Liverpool the following weekend.
Darren Plant
