The Chels

Against big sides of course they did (with the exception of Real but when it ultimately mattered, i.e. CL SFs, their approach was disappointing). Passive, deep defending can definitely be effective as has been proved but it is so boring to watch and is being outdone by proactive, high-intensity play nowadays.

What makes you think that? Passive defending is Mourinho's trademark.

Intensity off the ball wins again.

Bayern's defence was going to be exposed sooner or later. Surprised PSG played so passively when out of possession. The teams who have troubled Barca this season have done the opposite.

His definition of entertaining = awful defending.

Atletico hanging on in the first half but 0 defeats in 7 games against Real is pretty damn impressive.

Loanees/youth will have to do something extraordinary to get in the team, such as Courtois winning La Liga and reaching the CL final. If he hadn't had that kind of success then he would be nowhere near the first team.

Sure I agree with you that Ivanovic is not the only one responsible for those goals. The likes of Hazard, Schurrle, Cahill and Terry should also take some blame, as well as the defensive system itself for allowing David Silva and Tiago so much space. I also fully appreciate that mistakes are part of the game and happen to all players but the problem with Ivanovic is that his mistakes happen far too often. Whether Willian is doing his defending for him or otherwise, Ivanovic's weaknesses are regularly exploited by by the opposition, including PSG, Villa, Hull, Schalke, Everton, Derby, West Ham, City, Tottenham and plenty other sides. It is understandable when the defensive qualities of full backs who are very effective going forward (e.g. Marcelo) is sometimes overlooked but Ivanovic, in spite of his occasional goals, is nowhere near good enough going forward in terms of combination play, overlaps, final delivery, decision making, etc. to warrant an untouchable status with complete attacking freedom. In spite of the complacency, defensive limitations and regular lapses in concentration that make him the common denominator in most of our defensive calamities, perhaps I am being too harsh on him. It's not he who picks the team after all.

Courtois Azpi Godin Terry Luis Cesc Matic Koke Turan Costa Hazard Tiago to alternate with Cesc depending on opposition (and time of year ) and Griezmann with Arda Turan. Make it happen Roman!

You mean like in the semi-final of the CL last year when he switched off for Arda Turan's goal, or when he allowed Lampard to equalise for City earlier in the season or when he lost the aerial duel with David Luiz for PSG's goal? I understand that people like Ivanovic's personality and think that the pros outweigh the cons with him (banter > football ability, apparently) but let's not pretend like he suddenly becomes reliable when it matters most.

Ideally we'd keep it at 0-0 and score very late like yesterday's game. I get the feeling that had we scored 10-20 minutes earlier against QPR then they would probably have eventually equalised given our inability to maintain the lead.

Might as well get Tiago, Arda Turan and Griezmann too while we're at it. Atletico de London?

We barely tested that defence in 180 minutes of football. Mangala started in the away game and we made him look world class! A positive and proactive approach would have completely ruined him.

Expect to see United overload their left wing (their strong side & our vulnerable one) and isolate Fellaini at the back post against Azpilicueta. From our point of view we'll probably see Terry or Mikel/Matic marking Fellaini at the back and a willingness to allow the crosses in, which was what we did against PSG away (with Ibra playing the role of Fellaini). It didn't work in stifling them though. PSG created most of their chances including their equaliser from that side. I would hope for something different from Jose this time and maybe an attempt to actually prevent the overload and crosses but I doubt it.

Loved the celebration. Such a troll.

I've lost count of the number of times we've played poorly this scored but still scored. A very nice quality to have and something positive to take out of that dreadful game.

Incredible indeed. Even the worst sides appreciate the importance of width in breaking teams down (especially on a very narrow pitch).

A week's preparation and we get 0 shots on target against the worst defence in the league? Some width and intensity would be nice.

Yep, here's the original piece: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/managers/jose-mourinho/11524168/Jose-Mourinhos-all-time-XI-in-pictures.html It was misinterpreted on social media as being Mourinho's chosen 11.

It's the Telegraph who chose that team rather than Mourinho himself.

Valencia are only 1 point ahead of Sevilla now. 2 of the 3 games which Otamendi will miss are at home where Valencia are very strong so I think they should be okay without him there. They will struggle to get anything out of the Barca away game without their best defender though. Oh and Mustafi's not holding back:

Valencia completely robbed there. Otamendi (who was having an excellent game) was wrongly sent off, with the ref almost certainly being influenced by the intense atmosphere and player reaction. Bilbao then ended up equalising in the last minute through an offside goal. All that came after Rodrigo missed 2-3 excellent chances to wrap the game up. There's always a sense of inevitability towards the end of a game that a team will concede when they miss good chances while 1-0 up.

How many of them made an incredibly complacent Ivanovic the untouchable RB at the expense of two better FBs, one of whom plays out of position (and has subsequently been dropped from his NT) and other who rarely features? Ivanovic does have his good points: he is physically very strong, has good stamina, provides an outball for Courtois, is a threat from set-pieces, and he isn't targeted aerially at the back post by bigger strikers (à la Ibra v Azpi, Raul Garcia v Azpi). But is that really worth more than having two mobile FBs, both of whom are excellent pressers, are less prone to individual mistakes and lapses in concentration, have greater football intelligence, and can offer natural width, combination play and overlaps on both flanks? Jose obviously thinks so but he hasn't even bothered experimenting, even in the meaningless pre-season games when Ivanovic was pretty much always the starting RB. And just because Jose plays him there doesn't necessarily make it the 'right' option. Other top managers like Simeone and Guardiola prefer technique over physique when it comes to the FB position. This whole thing wouldn't even be up for discussion if Mourinho actually rotated the 3 FBs depending on opposition and form but he has been incredibly stubborn and fixated with Ivanovic at RB. There's no doubt that upon analysing the goals we've conceded this season he'll have noticed Ivanovic is responsible for many, but in his own words he "doesn't blame defenders for defensive mistakes" so that's that then.

Would seem that way. Disappointing but inevitable.