Ray's sniffing ?

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Wilkins: Players support Jose (November 4 2015)

Ray Wilkins is convinced Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho still has the support of his players.

Skipper John Terry gave a staunch defence of his manager in a news conference ahead of the side's Champions League game with Dynamo Kiev, while Cesc Fabregas issued a statement denying he was at the centre of a player rebellion against Mourinho.

Chelsea trained on Tuesday ahead of the visit of Kiev and both players and manager appeared to be in high spirits.

Wilkins, who captained the club before returning as a coach, fully believes both players and says the side's current struggles are simply down to poor form.

"I just saw the shots for the first time with the guys training yesterday and that's what it is normally like at a club anyway," Wilkins told Sky Sports News HQ.

"They are all having a chuckle. They are only young men after all so they should be training in that fashion. I'm convinced they are just playing poorly, individually and collectively.

"I watched the game on Saturday and for the first five minutes when they went a goal up I thought they were outstanding. They went after Liverpool, made it really difficult for them, played fast and furious football which we were used to last season.

"But then all of a sudden when they went a goal up they sat back and allowed Liverpool to dictate the game, I think 60 percent of the possession Liverpool had, and were the better side overall and deserved to win.

"But they are just playing badly, I think there is only Willian out the whole 11 that I watched last year who is actually playing up to form and that is very difficult for any manager."

Wilkins also said the players would have no problem getting into the right frame of mind for Wednesday's clash with Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge and expects Chelsea to top the group.

"When you are in the Champions League it is totally different, playing in the prime competition in world football. So their mentality will be totally right tonight," Wilkins said.

"I agree with Mourinho, I think they will top the group and they will win this evening."