Terry Gives Mourinho Support  (Sky Sports)

John Terry has given his backing to under-fire Jose Mourinho and insists Chelsea's players remain united behind their manager.

The Premier League champions lie just 16th in the table after their fourth defeat in eight games on Saturday when Southampton won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Terry started the game but Chelsea's defensive problems were evident once again as Ronald Koeman's side came from behind to win.

After conceding three times in a home league match for the first time under Mourinho, the London club have now lost 17 goals at the start of their title defence - an average of more than two a game.

The Portuguese coach said after the match Chelsea would have to sack him if they wanted him to go.

But Terry - himself rumoured to have a fractured relationship with Mourinho after being dropped for some games recently - has responded by defending him and offering his support.

He admits confidence in the squad has dipped but the 34-year-old is adamant he and his team-mates can rise to the challenge of getting the team back up the standings.

Terry told chelseafc.com: "We have a big group of players and we have the best manager who we remain behind and we remain together. That is what you do in tough circumstances.

"I have been here a long time and I have seen managers come and go and if anyone is going to get us out of this hole it is going to be Jose Mourinho.

"The players will remain together and fight and keep fighting for the supporters because they were excellent on Saturday.

"We are not in the familiar position we are normally in. We find ourselves in it and it is down to the group of players and the manager to get ourselves out of it and we must do that very soon.

"Generally I think we are looking low on confidence but we have a big group of players in that dressing room and we need to stand up, which we will do.

"There is no difference from last season. We need to be hungry like we were. Like many teams find, it is difficult to come back after winning the Premier League, we have seen it with Man City.

"We are suffering a bit of late but we have big characters in the dressing room and we will remain together along with the manager and get ourselves out of this."

With an international break up next, Chelsea do not play again until they host Aston Villa on October 17 and Terry feels that match can be a turning point.

He added: "We must win at home to Villa after the break, which is maybe a good opportunity for players to go away and clear their heads and come back after that and really kick on.

"We need to start winning football matches. Once you can get one win you build on that."