Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that it is crucial the team "be together" in the midst of their recent poor form.

Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas has come in for fierce criticism after leaving a host of experienced players on the bench for their 3-1 Champions League loss to Napoli on Tuesday evening, but Ivanovic has said that the team must unite.

"This is one of the most important moments and we all know that. We have to be together with each other and it can help us pass this moment," Ivanovic told Sky Sports News.

"These things are always coming out when you're losing. What we can all do together is still believe and try to do the right things. I don't know what the manager is saying, but it is more about what is happening with Chelsea.

"That is more important than the relationship between the manager and players. The manager is doing his job by deciding who plays and we, as players, have to do our job."

Ivanovic, 28, has appeared 141 times for Chelsea.