Grant accepts pressure is rising.

[coco]

Grant has lost four matches out of 38 since replacing Jose Mourinho

Avram Grant has admitted the pressure is building on him following Chelsea's shock FA Cup defeat by Barnsley.

When asked whether he accepted his job may rest on winning either the Premier League or Champions League, the Chelsea manager replied: "I will accept it.

"When I'm responsible for the team, and my team loses at Barnsley, there will be many negative things said about it."

The Guardian claims sources close to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich say he was "incensed" by the 1-0 defeat.

One bad run of results and you're out - you just can't afford to lose here.

The away supporters at Oakwell could be heard chanting the name of Jose Mourinho, Grant's predecessor, and the Israeli was surrounded by security staff as he left the dug-out at full-time.

The Tykes' victory, secured by a second-half Kayode Odejayi header, ended Chelsea's defence of the trophy and came a fortnight after they were beaten in the Carling Cup final by Tottenham.

The Wembley result prompted questions about Grant's team selection and, with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard missing the trip to Championship strugglers Barnsley, it has been reported that Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon were left in disbelief at the starting line-up.

The tactics were right and the criticism should be aimed at the players - it's not about the manager, it is the players

Grant has still only lost four of his 38 matches since replacing Jose Mourinho in charge of the Stamford Bridge club.

Chelsea are eight points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games in hand and are in the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals.

"I'm the manager and I'm responsible for everything," said Grant. "It's very sad because we'd played so well in the last week.

"This team has shown they can play good football. They did it against West Ham and Olympiakos.

"The team that played at Barnsley, even though we had a lot of injuries, was good enough to win."

Henk ten Cate, Grant's assistant, conceded that a sequence of bad results will not be tolerated by the Chelsea hierarchy.

"One bad run of results and you're out," said the Dutchman. "You just can't afford to lose here.

"I came to Chelsea because I was looking for peace. I wanted to work at the top level and at the same time I was looking for peace."

Nicolas Anelka, who replaced Drogba up front, insisted the players should take the blame for the Barnsley defeat, adding: "The tactics were right and the criticism should be aimed at the players.

"It is not about the manager, it is the players.

"We have spoken about the Champions League before and we will try our best to win it because, when you look around the dressing room, we have big players.

"I think Barnsley will be forgotten if we win the Champions League."

SOURCE !