Fernando

I made that comment as soon as he took out Milner for nasri. That was an attacking intent at the moment, as to opposed taking out Willian for mikel. And as you mentioned he then did defensive tactics and that almost cost him. This is why I'm not too keen on this. Sometimes it works like it happen with city in this game and sometimes it doesn't work like it happen against us. Like I said the best thing is to get subs that will help us regain the ball and have possession then going into a low block and give them all the possession. The best example was Barcelona vs United in cl final. They was winning 3 to 1 and still kept possession so as to not allowed them to get back into the game. If we sit back and have no possession or press we invite them to have more clear cut chances.

So then the excuse of that Chelsea supporter that because home tickets are expensive is just that excuse.

Well the reason why away support is much better it's because the price are cheaper right? So if that's the true then that's your answer. But then again that might be the same issue for a lot of top clubs.

Watching the game of city against United, and this is the only difference that tends to bother me about Mourinho. While pellegrini goes for the kill, Mourinho would normally goes to set up shop. And you know what, ever since that 1-1 against Barcelona in the CL semi final I have been scared of that. I rather die fighting then sit back and defend. Now I'm not saying to attack for attack like mindless fool as Rodgers did, but at least make subs to help press, have control of the ball and such then reverting to a all low block formation.

All the obvious mentioned. Would like to say that we also lost a lot when sold duff. We never properly replaced him and that cost us in the following seasons.

I don't think our atmosphere is that bad. If you mess with the fans you will get the Benitez treatment. We showed him for his plastic comments. So I'm not worried at all.

No one they will both be sold.

Oh men I can't wait till we play them.

As we seen with the goal line technology, it's great when it's being used in a minimalist way and the lease time consumption. Those who are for it want it at any cost and those against it argue that it will stop the game a lot. Yet I don't see those same people complain that goal line technology slows down the game. Likewise with this, if it can be done in a minimally way with little time consumption no one will eventually care. Therefore the 4th ref looking at everything via video and then telling the main ref on the pitch via his headset is the best option. A challenge is not that great as that will stop the game a lot more. It's the least one I want but as mentioned if it must happen then just one challenge for the entire game. Only one.

Well it's obvious that it will be Liverpool!

Seems like BS from the BS newspapers. But if it where to be true and Mourinho wants him then he has my blessing. Good enough for Mourinho good enough for me. But until then I will think it's just BS.

They took me thoughts as I posted in another post: So for me technology is best in this sport is if used in a minimalist way. Constantly stopping for reviewing is a no no. Constantly stopping for a replay is a no no. Only two options as I mentioned above, and thus the Dutch FA has made the right call in just giving feedback via the main ref headphone.

Yeah I think it will be a disaster unless use in a minimalist way. Like these two options: 1. Just have the 4th ref look the game through the video and communicate to the linesman via their headpiece if something is grossly wrong. or 2. Do what Blatter said and have a challenge system. However I'm against having too many challenges as that will kill the game. If you get only 1, I repeat only ONE then it might do more good then harm. We can survive with a little time of as we saw in the WC with "water breaks"

Yeah I feel the same way but it can also go the other way around. Your player can get some resentment towards you. It's a risk, but I think it's all about the personality of the person.

Like said before we don't have the players yet to set up shop easily like in the past. If anything instead of being all attack or all defense, wouldn't it be better if we have more possession of the ball? Since that seems to cater to the players we have in the mid? So this is the little mistake that Mourinho is making now and more then likely it will give further pain later down the road like semis in CL or what not. Yes we are in first place and what not, but you also look at the "red flags" so that they don't become a major pain later down the road. When you winning you want to improve not rest on your laurels.

I think hiring foreign refs would be like buying the best players for your team. But this time buying the best ref for your league and every year you update your roster kicking out those that suck and bring in new. That would be awesome but will never happen as it's too complex. ?

This: The league is probably stronger because more teams can fight for the trophy, but a few years ago the better teams were better," he said. "You think Manchester United won the Premier League last year because they were an unbelievable team? I don't think so. The other contenders didn't have a very good season. It was the same the year before when City won the title. Were they an extraordinary team? I don't think so. Others made so many mistakes that City eventually won the competition. "In previous years you've had a fantastic Arsenal who were champions without a single defeat [in 2004]. You had a Chelsea with a points record in the Premier League [of 95 in 2005]. You had a United side who won the title after our two wins and had an unbelievable season [in 2007]. I think the champions, in other seasons, were magnificent. And especially in the last two seasons, I've felt they weren't. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/16/jose-mourinho-chelsea-premier-league Reading that, I concur with Mourinho. We are good but our team ain't nowhere near as good as it used to be. Back then teams were really good. That Chelsea of 04 would clearly spank this Chelsea of 14.

Well not just me but even Mourinho said it as well before. That in this league there's not been a very good team. That teams that won has been Okay and basically because the rest haven't been that great.... I think he said something like that, I have to find it then I will post it.

Well Mourinho actually said that a couple of weeks back. The difference between this Chelsea and Chelsea of 04 was actually that, a killer instinct. That Chelsea was a killer and amazing in defense. The fact that we are still unbeaten with a team not as good as 04 just speaks volumes of how poor this league has gotten. United, Arsenal and Liverpool was in a much different level then today. The league today has an influx of foreign players and a lot of money but quality managers are lacking.

I find your post very offensive.

This has also been costing us and why we can't set up shop. We need defenders like Ramos. I for one would like to try the experiment of moving azpi to cb. Mourinho did it with Ramos at Madrid and that was amazing why not here?

Do suspension from the league carry over to cup games?

Interesting and weird appointment at the same time. Well hope he does a good job nonetheless.

I remember when real Madrid fans was complaining about this same issue in the CL semi final they lost to Bayern on penalties. That they was dominating the game and instead of killing it he made defensive substitute and allowed the opponent back in. Now I understand why they was like that. Mourinho needs to be a bit more ruthless. I'm not a person that blames the ref like many people do here. It's just something childless to do because the reality is that if we kill the opponent no mistake from the ref will touch us. Just like in the semi's of cl against Barcelona where ovrebo was very bad against us, all I can think of is that if we was more ruthless and bury our chances we would have won.

I won't lie if I said I'm kinda annoyed by the point. A point against City was good, but against this United....and especially when City drop points. Argh! And I am finding a bit annoying Mourinho trying to close shop so early. This is not the same Chelsea of 04! We need to have the ball more. I guaranteed that such tactics will cost us even more in CL matches. Specially in the semi finals where little margins define the game. We need to kill opponents with this Chelsea not set up shop half way game like the Chelsea of old.