Yesterday's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal was widely regarded to have piled the pressure on Ancelotti, who has now overseen the club's poorest run of results in the league for 12 years.

Chelsea will take to the field against Bolton tomorrow fifth in the table, a worse position than that which saw Luiz Felipe Scolari sacked in February 2009.

That has fuelled speculation Ancelotti is living on borrowed time, as billionaire owner Roman Abramovich's patience continues to be tested.

But Press Association Sport understands the club view their current plight in a completely different light to their predicament of two years ago, and the Italian will be in charge against Bolton.

There was a real lack of faith in Scolari's ability to get Chelsea back on track after they slumped to fourth in the league, both from Abramovich and the club's players.

But despite concern behind the scenes over the Blues' current run of one win in eight league games and none in six, the club are satisfied Ancelotti is the right man to lead them back up the table.

That is reflected in the squad's attitude to their manager, who it is felt retains their full confidence.

The support for the Italian is partly due to the goodwill he has built up having led the club to their maiden double in his first season in charge and five points clear at the top of the league at the start of this term.

Of course, Abramovich's patience is not without limit, and Ancelotti admitted after last night's defeat that he did not know how far it stretched.

"Obviously he won't be happy at this moment," he said. "I will take my responsibility, but this is a question you have to ask him, not me.

"I'm not afraid about my job. Everyone said I did a fantastic job last year. Now people are asking me about my job.

"We have to do better, obviously. It's not usual that Chelsea can't win for six games."