Closed Spurs 1-1 Chelsea

[The Mak 4,459]

I would also say the leg work ramires did to hide the fact that lampard couldn't get out to his man.. shit I even saw Hazard complete a succesful slide tackle and win us possession vs. Dembele.. Mourinho at work there

Exactly.

I think one thing that stood out for me was a line from the commentator: "Great tackle by Mata". When have you ever heard that?

I think it says it all. It was a great team effort, but there were two in particular who stood out. We also got to see the real start of Mata's transformation into a lot more of a 'hardworking' player.

[Barbara 15,149]

And then people criticized Mourinho on how he approached Luiz and Mata. Luiz's case was a bit more complicated as he's had good matches before the Basel match, but Mata was yet to have a really good match for us.

Then Mou publicly challenges both to prove to him they should start and they do just that - as I said they would in the Mourinho's thread.

I'm also happy Mourinho subbed Hazard today. Based on the game's design I would have subbed Oscar - who had a very forgettable match - but I'm happy he went with Eden and showed him that he either starts playing or he'll be the next to be benched indeterminately until he starts performing. He's been performing the same level Mata has been when Mourinho refused to play him - if not worse in some matches - but he's comfortably been untouchable so far. Last match he was subbed at the 85 mark, today at 69. I hope Eden sees the pattern.

He does have a better working rate compared to Mata - which is understandable as he's bigger, faster and stronger - but offensively he's been really below par in all matches so far with the exception of the Bayern match and a flash or two in a couple of other matches (despite the laughable 14 chances created some crazy stat site made up). With the options we have for the wings, I think Mourinho should bench him against Norwich and give Kev another chance... that may wake Eden up and it may give Kev something to look forward to. Win-win situation imo.

Mourinho worked really well with Mata's form issues, I do hope he keeps the standards and does the same with Hazard.

[bushman 2,043]

And then people criticized Mourinho on how he approached Luiz and Mata. Luiz's case was a bit more complicated as he's had good matches before the Basel match, but Mata was yet to have a really good match for us.

Then Mou publicly challenges both to prove to him they should start and they do just that - as I said they would in the Mourinho's thread.

I'm also happy Mourinho subbed Hazard today. Based on the game's design I would have subbed Oscar - who had a very forgettable match - but I'm happy he went with Eden and showed him that he either starts playing or he'll be the next to be benched indeterminately until he starts performing. He's been performing the same level Mata has been when Mourinho refused to play him - if not worse in some matches - but he's comfortably been untouchable so far. Last match he was subbed at the 85 mark, today at 69. I hope Eden sees the pattern.

He does have a better working rate compared to Mata - which is understandable as he's bigger, faster and stronger - but offensively he's been really below par in all matches so far with the exception of the Bayern match and a flash or two in a couple of other matches (despite the laughable 14 chances created some crazy stat site made up). With the options we have for the wings, I think Mourinho should bench him against Norwich and give Kev another chance... that may wake Eden up and it may give Kev something to look forward to. Win-win situation imo.

Mourinho worked really well with Mata's form issues, I do hope he keeps the standards and does the same with Hazard.

How exactly Jose helped Mata ? Did he tell him to play well ?

[Magic Lamps 11,655]

This game proved that Mourinho still got it.

1) He got Torres fired up again. Since he joined us Torres was bad, not only because he lost a bit of pace and confidence but more important his attitude. Mou has recognized with Torres it is use him or lose him. His finishing is still mediocre but he still has much more pace than most defenders and today he impressively demonstrated that. More importantly he finished good work, which he often contributes. His cross to Oscar would have been asssist if oscar had anticipated it better. Also he won many important freekicks. The sending off wasn't his fault. I don't believe he is back yet, but imagine he is. With an in form Torres we can win it all.

2) At some rare occasions, Mou really mobbed players out of the club. But not Mata. He motivated him and threw him in when he was most needed. So he produced.

3) He has steadied the defense. Apart from some individual errors we have not really conceded goals where we were naive tactically.

4) He got the communication in midfield sorted out. Lamps and Ramy both strive going forward, but the two of them only made 4 runs combined today, which were covered respectively.

What remains to be seen is

How will his signings Schürrle, Willian, Eto'o turn out? The former two have been purchased for way more money than they are actually worth. Would not be his first expensive transfer flops.

Also we still lack goals and should be scoring more from the chances we got.

[Stingray 9,441]

How exactly Jose helped Mata ? Did he tell him to play well ?

No, he got him from great to really bad and now he is turning good and people think Mou did a great job. Ow well, at least that argument serves their agenda. They must be so happy.

[Special Juan 27,429]

Ramires was hauled down across the last line of four.....with his pace was he the last man????

That is a massive question.

[Stingray 9,441]

Ramires was hauled down across the last line of four.....with his pace was he the last man????

That is a massive question.

I so thought that was a red. He was clear through.

[Special Juan 27,429]

I so thought that was a red. He was clear through.

It was a red.......his pace would of put him one on one.

[Blue Armour 4,289]

Point gained I would say, about this match. Top 6 opponent, and an away ground. The win could have been there, but Mike Dean went and made a mess of this match.

I said Torres would start in this kind of match, and I'm happy he has justified his selection. Hope he plays again soon, and keeps the momentum.

Mata, showed Mourinho that he can fit into his plans. Top professional. Hope he can keep this level of work-rate going

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

How exactly Jose helped Mata ? Did he tell him to play well ?

You basically dismiss every football coaches on this planet. I guess they are all just furnitures.

[Special Juan 27,429]

Mata stepped up, exactly what Jose asked of him.....isn't difficult is it?

[Shane 2,275]

As much as the Ref cost us, and we played well in the second half, Our first half performance was simply not good enough. Hope Jose lets the players know that too.

[Barbara 15,149]

How exactly Jose helped Mata ? Did he tell him to play well ?

no, he benched him while he wasn't performing well and challenged him to prove him otherwise. Something I don't expect some people to understand behind their tinted glasses - don't know if you do.

Players can get comfortable with their status and that more often than not detract their improvement unless they're highly self-motivated. Mata wasn't and Hazard isn't. Mata has been completely forgettable (or even bad) in two matches and played well against Swindon. Mourinho was true to his words and brought him today during half time and already said he'll start against Steua.

The thing is in your head he should have been played since the start at all matches - screw which form he was and what his contributions (good or bad) to the team and the match were. Not everyone think like that and our manager proved to be right again, not that some people will actually accept it. They won't.

[Barbara 15,149]

Mata stepped up, exactly what Jose asked of him.....isn't difficult is it?

for some people around here it is. Especially when it touches their Player FC, I mean, their fave players.

[Milan 17,854]

So the trip to White Hart Lane, one of the most difficult trips of the season, is behind us and we gained one point over both Manchester clubs. We can be really happy! Let's hope Swansea can produce something similar.

[bushman 2,043]

no, he benched him while he wasn't performing well and challenged him to prove him otherwise. Something I don't expect some people to understand behind their tinted glasses - don't know if you do.

Players can get comfortable with their status and that more often than not detract their improvement unless they're highly self-motivated. Mata wasn't and Hazard isn't. Mata has been completely forgettable (or even bad) in two matches and played well against Swindon. Mourinho was true to his words and brought him today during half time and already said he'll start against Steua.

The thing is in your head he should have been played since the start at all matches - screw which form he was and what his contributions (good or bad) to the team and the match were. Not everyone think like that and our manager proved to be right again, not that some people will actually accept it. They won't.

Oh did he ?

I don´t think so. Jose has done nothing to better Mata. Today, Mata showed us what he is all about.

He just needs to play as No 10 & your samba boy needs to watch closely. perhaps, you should stick with your stats, you are good at it.

[Special Juan 27,429]

for some people around here it is. Especially when it touches their Player FC, I mean, their fave players.

Yep.

Our point today now looks like three with United and City getting rolled over.

[Laylabelle 9,359]

2 big games played...2 points...could've been worse.Need to beat the rest of the teams around us/who can be dodgy and crap and get a run going.Not the easiest place to go and we've been dodgy there many seasons since loosing our record that time.Torres sending off...respect the ref is hard when they are crap