Barbara

He just needs a round of good luck to keep the injuries away. He could end up being our new workhorse in midfield in a few years if he avoids injuries

I've never stopped believing, I really hope he stays. He could make a great squad player. We need to have better players in the bench to allow Mourinho to rotate more. Cornelius fits the bill just right

THIS!!!!!! Also some people are either naive, not smart or just have a supernatural talent for being moaners because Jose has proved recently with Real Madrid and our earlier form this season that he can build an attacking team. He's just not as stupid as some to do it at the expense of titles and frustrating players such as Hazard who want to win important trophies here. Rome wasn't built in a day, but it took some hours to burn it down. He showed Roman, the players and the fans that wanted to see that he can do it. When some key players stopped performing or got injured and he realized we would be coming down in terms of performance he chose the pragmatic way which will assure us the title, will give players confidence and joy (not to mention relief) and it's even been teaching them how to scrap results at the end of matches, run the extra mile and win when not playing well. It's all positives, but the fast food generation doesn't know how to wait a couple of years to really transition a toothless team into confident, smooth winners. I understand most of members under 25 thinking like that - waiting really isn't a part of many of theits dictionaries because they were born in the immediatist culture. It's people older than that I struggle to understand where they come from with this rush to have everything perfect asap.

I wonder who people actually credit us being at the top of the league since day one, and way headed to the title with such a pathetic manager with so many pathetic decisions... oh I know... the quality of the league. Funny though this new trend only started once City started dropping points right and left (because until then they were this amazing team - which now goes to Arsenal, although we're only leading because this is a shitty league) - which means the trend started when people realized if they didn't bring an argument to back their points up they'd look extremely idiotic being so harsh against the manager that brought us back to winning relevant titles.

I thought this should bring some insight about Arsenal (this thread seriously needs this before someone gives the symbolic title to them). United made serious progress this season and improved 10 points from the corresponding fixtures last season... I said early in the first two weeks or so of the season that van Gaal would take a while, but he would succeed in making them look like a team. I don't get why people are surprised by it. But my main point here isn't about United (after last season there was only room for improvement, as they were laughable). My main point is about Arsenal. I don't get the praise and sudden fear. Arsenal aren't like that every single year? They either take off as soon as the season begins and then starts to fade or they regroup at the second part when the 4th place title is under threat. I must admit they took it farther and now are fighting for second place, fact remains they're nowhere close to title contenders yet. If they prove to able to physically endure the high pressing throughout a whole season - something they added around December - maybe they'll stand a chance, until then, they're experimenting imo. Comparing the corresponding fixtures from last season, believe or not, they're 2 points worse rather than better, so it just proves the same: Arsenal is the same old Arsenal. They may win their last 6 games, they may end second place, but I swear I don't see anything new except a less wild approach in bigger matches by Wenger. I'm not taking away from Arsenal's current form, but I see nothing new from them. They have good sprints of form every season and that won them one FA title (and may win another) in 10 years. That's about it. I need to see a lot more improvement in their mentality and even the physicality of their game to honestly take them as serious title contenders next season. But as the fashionable thing around here these days is praise our rivals and shit our team and manager (I even read in the Mourinho thread just now - reason why I left the place in a run, not believing I read someone suggesting we needed a coach in our staff like Pellegrino), Arsenal is the best thing since sliced bread and United is the new Bayern from 2 years ago. Oh, and we're the shit we normally are. (this was supposed to be in the Mourinho or Run in threads, but after being a couple of minutes in the Mourinho thread I don't dare to stay around, so I'll just continue it here) I miss the intelligent discussions - can't keep away completely - and I hope to have a nice one on this. I'm still not prepared mentally (just like Arsenal aren't) to really post in the Mourinho thread. That place is pathetic. People forget how this team attacked the first half of the season. Then shit happened and Mourinho was on pragmatic mode immediately. With the players he has at his squad, I'm 110% behind his pragmatic approach - even when I disagree about a few things. we don't have winners in the team yet except some from the old guard, but things may change now with how we've been playing. I'm hopeful that they'll be adding a lot of baggage in that department. I feel like we've been scrapping results like champions do when they don't play well. That's the story of United ever since I watch the league - which isn't much, roughly 12 years. It doesn't make a team less deserving, smaller or worse. Sometimes in football that's just how it works. We've seen very few teams throughout the years keeping the level we played the first half throughout the whole season. Of course, many of them didn't fall as deep as we did in terms of performance, but at this point the most important thing is scrapping those results the best we can because this team, these players and this manager proved earlier in the season that they have all the tools to make it last longer. This is a learning place, a growing place, a maturing place we're now in terms of team experience and quality. We'll come out stronger and will be even stronger next season. A lot of stick is given to Oscar and previously to him to Fabregas, but nearly the whole team stopped playing football ever since the new year. Surely they're tired (I suppose) and Mourinho could have rotated a bit more - but fact remains the same group that was killing it before aren't anymore. Cesc is only now regaining his best football after that Terry injury (although he was very bad today, but very good and ascending the last 2-3 matches). Oscar is terrible, but Matic is also much worse now and Terry had a really shaky period recently. Azpili had had ups and downs in recent months, Ivanovic despite the attacking moments of brilliance has been worse defensively too, Costa has been fighting injuries and bans as we know he's the kind of player that needs matches under his belt to be on his best form. So while Mourinho could try a few things (and I blame him, the board or whoever for letting Schurrle, and even Salah go in the summer window because we don't have ANYONE to try new things), is asking him to make a miracle if the players' form dropped a lot in general. Even Courtois is in worse form recently than he was the first half of the season. Some of those players are picking up form again such as Fabregas, but it must be said the moment both pivot players started struggling our slow and not that solid defense got exposed and we were caught. We should have better replacements for both Cesc and Matic. Willian improved while Eden got even better and Oscar went on his usual second half of the season stroll in the park performance. But when his replacement is Ramires or an useless Cuadrado, what else can Mourinho do? He improved us today when he came in, but seriously, we had Ramires in the wing, improving that isn't that hard. Still not enough (I actually agree with Mourinho that he hasn't been good enough as of lately, but unlike most here I don't downgrade how well he played the first half of the season). There's only so much Mourinho can do, but I'm happy with how the team have been scrapping those results that give you the title at the end. My biggest problem with many people's opinions here continue to be how they unfairly criticize Mourinho (who deserves his fair share of criticism, just not to the extent some take it). And they even contradict themselves...The same people that blame Mourinho saying he isn't bold and attacking oriented enough are the same people saying his biggest fault was not rotating the squad enough. But we were the best attacking team of the league when it started and for a few months... why should he change? Do people stop to think why he changed? We were conceding too many goals at first, but then we weren't anymore and continued to dominate teams, then we stopped playing well altogether. Do you honestly believe he told the players to stop playing well? He insisted because the changes he made didn't bring impact and every team needs stability. We don't have players good enough in the bench as of now (except Luís and Zouma) and the fact that Schurrle was sidelined for illness for too long affected his form (still shouldn't have been sold, although we don't know if he wanted to leave or not). Mourinho was somehow a victim of a short squad with a few key-players getting injured (Costa, Fabregas) ever since the new year. It was downhill from there, but he coped, the team coped and we're evolving because this team didn't scrap results, this team didn't get last-15-minutes goals to seal a victory, but people clearly (and some I'm sure purposefully) ignore this. We are playing bad... but we're still winning and we're 7 points clear and one game in hand with only 6 games to go (for our rivals). Count your blessings and tone down the criticism because we DID evolve this season...

For the forum's complete happiness it seems Chelsea got another Brazilian, ain't you bunch happy? Nathan from Atletico Paranaense

those are also worth a quick come back. I love posting gifs anyway (sorry if they have already been posted, I'm many pages behind in all threads and I didn't actually check before posting)

had to come back to post this gif here (if someone hasn't yet). This must be among my top5 Mourinho's reactions from all time. Now back to heaven

but the problem wasn't having Oscar in the team? Most lineups in the first pages didn't have him out of the team? This formation is exactly what most have asked here. Mourinho did just that. Ramires misplaced so many passes and was dispossessed so easily it hurt. Willian only appeared (after around 30 minutes) to destroy an attack, but well, he's the one that should be playing. So I blame the manager and the board for letting go of players that shouldn't and bringing a player like Cuadrado (to rely on him) mid-season. That's been a tragic mistake by Mourinho and co and now we don't have quality to play. I won't mention youth because then a new whole can of worms will be opened here and some will be even more delighted with what's happening now

not more than a joke than a lot of you I don't expect Courtois to be doing that, but I'm sure some expert like you will probably say he didn't dribble in the box in front of two opposition players before being coached by Mourinho. It has to be Mourinho's fault. You still don't get it, not that I expected it in the first place. Shit happens, and I don't actually mean the shit I read around here, that's way too often, but the shit that happened in the goal. Luís - who many here (me included) demand to play, couldn't clear the ball, but well, haven't you all been demanding him to play? I take the bad with the good. The likes of you are really unbearable, not only with the always same shit said over and over again, but also the way you seem to take great happiness in being right about things going wrong. But have a laugh, you must be among the few Chelsea fans laughing now. Nice to know this is amusing to some people... the likes of you

going to be a bitch before I leave Is this the team that can't play? The team that doesn't know how to attack, the striker that is so many miles behind Kane, Aguero and forgot who was the third... beautiful linkup in the first goal, amazing finishing in the second. So, to you - football specialists - better than our manager and such amazing supporters to our players... has this match gone according to your predictions? Best regards

GOLAZO HAZARD Stopped by to answer my quotes just in time to post and celebrate this goal with you

you guys are great thank you so much but when you realize that you have so many people in your ignore list it's because you don't fit anymore . Very nice words, Tom, thank for them and likewise, the feeling is mutual

now we have to believe Mourinho is telling one of his pivot players to back off from pressing opposition players off the ball. I've read everything in this forum as it is. This might be one of my last posts in this place. reading this thread has been absolutely dreadful. One draw to PSG and another to Southampton and now people all keep the same tone, it's as if we can't beat any team in the world anymore without struggling. Mourinho has been accused and labeled of everything as well as some players (most). I know there are points to criticize and I know we should do better, but if you guys are so sure we'll be terrible and that we'll drop points, then my advice for all of you is to go away and come back next season. You don't need to watch matches, you don't need to support the team, you already know everything that is to happen - so don't be redundant. This place is much, much, exponentially worse than the team. That's saying something and I really don't see any reason to be around anymore. Even the debate here is these days is dramatic, theatrical, exaggerated and plain nonsensical. It's been a pleasure for most part though.

ARE YOU FUCKING ME? I HATE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TO THE BONES, LATINAMERICAN INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL FOR A THOUSAND GENERATIONS. I HATE THIS ALL

He was a walking nightmare today I feel Mourinho plays him simply because he doesn't have anyone else to play... Cesc prefers to play at the pivot (and he's been just as bad if not worse today) and Cuadrado has been worse - for whatever reason it might be. It depresses me to see this midfield... I feel like hitting my head on the wall repeatedly

I suppose you didn't watch the match against PSG just a few days ago then.

how worn out players suddenly come and play football in the second half? I don't get it, so they were worn out to actually even try in the first, but then in the second were energized enough to give one of the best performances we had in months? How is that physically even possible? He's making a mistake, I have no doubts, and that is being too lenient, soft and nice with the players. He needs the harsh approach. Will anyone say we tried to secure the 1x0 lead? We were completely outplayed from mark 17' on until the end of the first half. Our players went to the challenges with their bodies and feet always backing off from contact. They watched Southampton player dominate the game and DID nothing. I can list a few Mourinho's mistakes today and I already listed them a few times, but I can't accept that level of performance from those players. I just can't. The way they backed away from actually fighting for the ball and watched Southampton play? Unacceptable. Unacceptable from them and from Mourinho for not being harsher on them and allow it to happen. They need a wake up call. If there's one thing ALL his teams, including his RM, had wherever he went was determination and a fighting attitude in the pitch. This Chelsea as of lately looks like a bunch of pussies, waiting the trophy to arrive at the end of the season. It won't arrive if they don't work their arses off. It almost feels like they behave as if we had already won it or that they had already done enough, so they can spare themselves in the pitch. And as we had a nightmare winter transfer window, now we're victims of a short squad whose bench doesn't have even remotely enough quality to replace a bad Cesc, useless Willian and abysmal Oscar.

but was that a consequence of them actually turning up to play or what? Tactically you can't say we changed... it was the same approach, but they actually showed up to play. This is a Mourinho team, do you think he doesn't instruct the team or drill it to always be compact? Do you think he was the one responsible for us bypassing the midfield in our transition, for the players not being able to keep the ball or for them being too soft when trying to dispossess Saints' players? I think we'll never know if Mourinho really just tells them to watch the opponent play or if they just choose to do it by themselves. The second half was a resemblance of what we used to do earlier in the season (not to the same level, but at this point in the season, it's hard to play with that intensity). The second half the team looked exactly like Mourinho describes what he wants from the team. If you choose to keep giving the players - especially Fabregas - a green pass for the shitty performance they keep piling up and put all the blame on Mourinho, be my guest. I put it 60% on players not turning up at all and 40% on Mourinho for not being harsh enough on them, for not being more daring with Zouma and Luís at home and for allowing Schurrle to leave and get frigging Cuadrado as a backup - with Salah also gone. That was a stupid winter window through and through, but as WHS said the other day, he doesn't sign or offload players on his own, so the board takes part of the blame as well. I still don't see him being at fault when we played well until minutes before Saints scored at mark 19 and then just walked in the pitch.

I said it many times, but as I'm a Shirley fangirl - I don't even deny it - people thought it was just my feelings for him. Cuadrado is a waste of space, money and when we have Oscar and Willian contributing negatively or with nothing in our attack, we look to the bench and see Cuadrado instead of Shirley, I understand why the Brazilians start every match. Also too bad that yellow for Cesc didn't come. He wasn't good for even that today, as he never challenged/tackled/pressed any Saints play at all, let alone with enough force to draw a yellow.

I'd be embarrassed if I were those players after that first half presentation. Embarrassed. Mourinho didn't change the system, only got Matic out of the match because he was a second away from a second yellow and being sent off. Ramires did exactly the same job. There was no difference in how we played, except the players actually gave a fuck in the second. I'm bloody tired of those guys being so nonchalant, careless and just entering the pitch to make it count as 11 players. The second half presentation came probably after a wakeup call by Mourinho in the break, and it shows it can't be physical. There's no rational, believable way to explain players aren't performing because they're tired because they're overplayed when after 45 minutes they finally play. Also, we criticize Mourinho for the lack of rotation. What has Cuadrado done? Remember Ramires midweek? Except Zouma - who definitely has a case - and Luís who's moe suitable for games at home, who else can Mourinho rotate in this team? Remy and Drogba didn't show to be any better than Costa (actually Costa was one of our best players there today imo), we don't have options for the AMs (there's no questioning about how bad Oscar has been and how useless Willian is in the attack). Who's to replace Cesc - the worst by far imo today. At least Oscar improved some in the second (even if he missed two goals he should have scored) as did Willian and Hazard ran the show as usual. But Cesc was just as lethargic, slow, soft and uninspired as he was in the first. Maybe slightly better because Ramires really improved our midfield. So I'd love for the people blaming Mourinho to tell me what system or players he can employ that would have changed how we played the first half. I don't think Zouma would have changed our overall performance - he isn't a midfielder, where the problem basically resided - and Luís could have brought some impact, but even then, I don't see something eye catching they would have brought when we were just easily outplayed in the midfield by Saints - who completely dominated the match after scoring. We're lucky to be six points ahead of City - and seven ahead of Arsenal. I'd be surprised if our lead at the end of May is bigger than 3 points.

and given how we played the second, it's clear we don't have a physical issue because the players have been overplayed. No one will convince me those players aren't too nonchalant and giving half-hearted presentations. If they're tired, no matter what hell on earth had been the talk Mourinho gave them (which they deserved) would have made them come and play football in the second. Also people keep blaming Mourinho for everything or giving to him most of the blame. That's a lie imo. With performances like Cuadrado had, Ramires (midweek - he was good today), it's no wonder we see Oscar and Willian starting. Cuadrado managed to be worse than Oscar AND Willian combined. Ramires is a toss, totally hit or miss, you never know which version of him will show up. The only players consistently fighting and/or playing well are Courtois, Hazard and Costa imo. Even when Costa is poor you see he's giving his everything, trying with everything he has, whether is leaving the box, getting physical (and mental) with opponents. That's the attitude most of the team don't have. When you're in bad form technically, at least run, fight, present yourself to the game. Most of our players seem to think we already won the league and they can have a walk in the park. Hazard had a below par performance in the first half to his own standards, but it's hard to play well when everyone around you except the keeper and the striker showed up to play. Then when the rest of the team decided to play in the second, he ran the show as he normally does. Mourinho should have started with Zouma and Luís imo, but I still don't know how much a difference it would have made in our overall game (Zouma would definitely made us look more solid in defense, even Terry is shaky these days) when our midfield went MIA. At least the talk in the break worked and the players saved some face from a realy shameful presentation in the first half. Mourinho's life isn't as easy as some people believe it to be and he's far from being the main reason this team has been playing shit imo. He's partially guilty, but it doesn't matter the approach, the players, the system he chooses, if the players are going to behave the way they did against PSG, against Burnely, against Saints today in the first half, I'm positive we wouldn't win matches even if Mourinho chose 13 players to start the game. so answer me, who he should play instead? Cuadrado? Ramires? Oh, let me guess, one of the kids from the academy?

Cuadrado is more useless than Oscar and Willian combined and that's saying something

seriously? he played nothing in all matches I've seen him...

OSCAR FFS!!!!