Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez says he can handle the jeers from home fans tonight against Southampton.

The criticism of the Spaniard hit at an all-time high last week as Chelsea slumped to a Carling Cup semi-final first-leg defeat against Swansea.

There is likely to be a similar reaction if they drop more points at home against Barclays Premier League strugglers Southampton on Wednesday.

But Benitez said: "All the fans, everyone around, want to win. Some of them maybe will show more or less passion. But every proper fan will want their team to win.

"It's not the case that whatever I do I will be criticised, not if I carry on playing games and doing well. The main thing is to concentrate on doing things well. I am professional and doing my best, spending a lot of time here. If we continue winning games, we can do well.

"Anyone who's a fan of a club wants their team to win. They'll enjoy us carrying on winning and doing well. That's my feeling.

"You have a word in English: manager. The manager has to manage. The manager has to consider everything, and afterwards he has to decide.

"I talk with my staff, the players, and I have all the feedback and information. Then I make a decision. I consider everything before making a decision."