Benitez blames stomach bug for under-par Torres performance Rafael Benitez has backed Fernando Torres to win over the Chelsea boo boys and insisted the misfiring striker's poor performance against Swansea was down to a stomach bug, rather than lack of desire or talent. The £50 million striker touched the ball just 19 times during his 81 minutes on the pitch and could only muster two feeble attempts on goal in one of the worst performances of his two-year Chelsea career on Wednesday. The Blues fans have generally stood by their most expensive import despite his patchy form, but on Wednesday sarcastically applauded the player as he left the field, having called for Demba Ba's introduction since half-time. Yesterday Benitez revealed that part of the reason why Torres did not play well was because the Spaniard had been ill, and his only other replacement Ba was not fully fit as he had a hamstring injury. "I could not explain it before the match, because [Swansea manager] Michael Laudrup would have known, but Fernando had a stomach bug and Demba Ba had a niggle," Benitez said. The club doctor was giving Fernando tablets, but I told him he had to play because we couldn't play Demba Ba. Part of the reason why Benitez was appointed Chelsea's interim manager was due to his good relationship with Torres. It was hoped the former Valencia boss, who managed Torres at Liverpool for three and a half years, would bring the best out of the player. Torres" barracking on Wednesday may prove to be a blow to relations between the Blues fans and their star striker, but when asked whether he thought Torres could win them around, Benitez said: "Yes, Fernando concentrated on trying to do his job [despite his illness] and that is the sign of a great character. He is trying to give his best. In training he is giving 100 per cent every session. Because the club paid big money everybody is expecting a relation between money and goals to be easy. Benitez himself bore the brunt of the criticism on Wednesday. Some fans chanted the name of Roberto Di Matteo and Jose Mourinho and there was also criticism about his failure to introduce Ba and Frank Lampard earlier than he did, but Benitez insists he is still up to the challenge. "I'm concentrated on my job," he said when quizzed about fans booing. When I finished the game [on Wednesday] I went straight to the dressing room, as I have for last 25 years, and I was then thinking about the injuries, the problems we had and our next game. I will try to win and do my best for the team and club. I am enjoying it. One crumb of comfort for Benitez is that he now has captain John Terry available after a two-month absence. The 32-year-old is in the squad for today's visit to Stoke, although he is likely to start on the bench.