Napoli v Chelsea: manager Andre Villas-Boas may risk John Terry in Champions League despite knee blow Villas-Boas insists he enjoys the "unconditional" support of the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, but he patently does not have the unconditional backing of his dressing room. So we go back to the question of leadership. If Abramovich believes Villas-Boas is the man to rejuvenate an ageing squad, the Portuguese must be granted more time. Abramovich certainly needs to transmit his message of support for a struggling manager to players and supporters. That is leadership. Far more engaging than his prickly public demeanour suggests, the inexperienced Villas-Boas confronts myriad problems that would confound even a veteran campaigner. Still learning his craft, the 34 year-old makes mistakes, notably failing to use Juan Mata closer to Torres and persisting with Meireles and John Obi Mikel. Terry's return could help. "JT is a great leader, gives you an extra emotional push,"" Villas-Boas said. He's a player of great importance. Even if Terry features, the Napoli's sudden attacks could catch him out. "They have a strong front three with Hamsik, Cavani and Lavezzi,"" Villas-Boas added. Cavani is an amazing player. They are a danger. Their strength is in the collective spirit. They have an inner belief in each other. It will be a massive challenge. Everyone saw what Napoli did in a group which put Manchester City out. "But we are in with a really good chance," Villas Boas said, adding that it was important for his team to be "competent" and to face Napoli at Stamford Bridge on March 14 with a win or a draw. Ideally a scoring draw. Then we can finish the business here. The players will have a different outlook: the Champions League is a competition everyone wants to win. The players will feel much more tension."" Hunger for European glory is understandable but begs a question about whether Chelsea are less driven by domestic pursuits. They certainly lacked leaders against Chris Hughton's well organised, well motivated Birmingham. Torres, so painfully short of confidence, endured a difficult half and was replaced at the break by Drogba. Villas-Boas agreed that he could not sacrifice the team to help a player's search for form. Not on the way I put things together, not in a team basis. Everybody is desperate for him to score. Everybody pushes him, praises him in training and it will come with him getting opportunities. His confidence is low but we will have to persist with our belief in his talent. More competition will see him push himself that little bit harder and maybe he will eventually reach his goal and targets. Torres, Drogba and Lukaku will compete in training to be in the team. There's competition in the striker positions and it will be a battle between the three of them. Drogba increases the level of competition. They are all top, top talents. Such words will hardly lift Torres's mood. Or Daniel Sturridge's. The England international, who has been talking of his desire to play more through the middle, rescued Chelsea with a real centre-forward's goal, a well-placed header from a right-wing cross by Branislav Ivanovic, one of the few Chelsea players to impress. Fine performances could be found all over Hughton's team. A well-worked set-piece, involving Adam Rooney flicking on Jordon Mutch's corner, saw David Murphy give Birmingham a 20th-minute lead. After Wade Elliott brought down Ramires two minutes later, Colin Doyle did well to read Mata's intentions and save the penalty. Barring the moment when Sturridge stole a yard and equalised, Birmingham's centre-halves, Pablo Ibáñez and ­particularly Curtis Davies, were exceptional. There is a unity about Birmingham under Hughton absent at Chelsea under Villas-Boas. "There's a fabulous spirit,"" Hughton said. Managers at Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Bruges and Leeds United have lost their jobs immediately after being beaten by Hughton's side this season so Villas-Boas has another reason to be fearful of the March 6 replay at St Andrew's. Hughton voiced his support of a pressurised peer. "You don't get these big jobs without being a very, very good manager,"" Hughton said. He's come in a transition period and is trying to instil his own brand on the team and sometimes you need time for that. Whether you get that time at this type of football club, that's another question but not one for me to answer. The Chelsea manager understands the pressures of managing a club like this."" Villas-Boas needs to lead more effectively, though.