The Mourinho Thread

[DYC. 7,542]

Thing is though, Mourinho appears to have one set of rules for one group players and another for the other group.

Yes, the infamous Mourinho untouchables. I understand how it can at times seem that way, but I'm still not convinced that's true. You'd think a manager at the highest level wouldn't let favouritism affect his job. It was understandable with the likes of Drogba, Lamps etc., they were top class, but Cahill and Ivanovic? Come on. I hope that's not the case.

[Jase 43,479]

Yes, the infamous Mourinho untouchables. I understand how it can at times seem that way, but I'm still not convinced that's true. You'd think a manager at the highest level wouldn't let favouritism affect his job. It was understandable with the likes of Drogba, Lamps etc., they were top class, but Cahill and Ivanovic? Come on. I hope that's not the case.

Manager or not, Mourinho is human after all and like all humans, sometimes we can let favoritism cloud our judgment or affect our way of thinking. Mourinho can be too stubborn or pragmatic for his own good.

[The Chels 2,502]

Well its a MASSIVE difference in quality between Ferreira-Carvalho-Terry-Cole/Gallas and Iva-Cahill-Terry(old)-Azpi/Luis. Our defense works good as unit but even then only if Matic and Cesc are fully rested. While Cole, Terry and Carvalho were probably best back three in PL history. Azpi has all the quality to take get close, but we are two CBs short and RB to make that complete. Terry is still good, but need big support from faster defenders, while Zouma is way too young and inexperienced to become Mourinho's guy like Terry was 10 years ago. Terry was whole different beast than Zouma or even Varane and thats a fact.

Mourinho in Porto had Costa, Carvalho, Ferreira, Valente and Lucio, Samuel, Chivu, Maicon at Inter, not to mention Costinha, Zanetti, Cambiasso who added extra defensive solidity to back four. Not to even go at Chelsea with Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Essien, Makelele...the difference in defensive quality between those teams and today's chelsea is giant. And even IF we buy few world class defenders, it takes time for those to understand each other. 2004 Chelsea was more exception than rule for Mou.

But said all that, we should win Premier League title this year with this team, no doubt. CL IMO will be almost impossible, but for league, no excuses; not after the 5pt lead we currently have and home game vs City.

Good point. If you isolate any of our defenders 1v1 (apart from Azpi usually) then we're screwed. I'm not sure how that is possible in a team vying for PL and CL glory but because of it we need to make sure our defenders are not exposed and we're not doing such a good job of that, for reasons previously mentioned. Against Liverpool, Sterling was allowed to run at Cahill (even though we were parking the bus!) and that meant there was only one conclusion.

[boshman 1,073]

I honestly don't understand why some members get so offended and upset by the Mourinho criticism. There isn't a single manager of a club who isn't being criticised by a section of supporters right now. It's happening at every club in every sport. No manager is off limits. This is the same manager who routinely criticises Chelsea supporters and embarrasses them in the media and people are complaining about some forum posts. You couldn't make it up.

I don't think it is the criticism of Mourinho that people get upset about. It is the utter bollocks that some people post about the man who has done so much for the club, and really not done anything to deserve such talk.

My personal favourite is the 'sack him' calls. Sack him for what? For nearly doing the PL and CL double last season without any strikers. For guiding us 5 points clear at the top of the league. For only losing THREE games all season.

It's staggering for me how easy people jump on this man's back when a result goes against us. Some of you lot don't know how good you have it. Be careful what you wish for.

[DYC. 7,542]

Manager or not, Mourinho is human after all and like all humans, sometimes we can let favoritism cloud our judgment or affect our way of thinking. Mourinho can be too stubborn or pragmatic for his own good.

Of course. But then again, Cole was a favourite too. Lampard didn't always play either last season, even though the alternatives weren't much better, if at all.

But more importantly, Mourinho is all about results. He would not let anything come before that. And again, Cahill and Ivanovic. Talk about a poor choice of untouchables. That does not mean I actually think he'll make the changes. I just don't think (hope) that would be the reason for sticking with them.

[Jase 43,479]

Of course. But then again, Cole was a favourite too. Lampard didn't always play either last season, even though the alternatives weren't much better, if at all.

But more importantly, Mourinho is all about results. He would not let anything come before that. And again, Cahill and Ivanovic. Talk about a poor choice of untouchables. That does not mean I actually think he'll make the changes. I just don't think (hope) that would be the reason for sticking with them.

Key word there - was. Clearly he didn't fancy Cole as much as he did in his previous spell here. As for Lampard, he didn't always play but still did a lot more than Cole.

[The Chels 2,502]

Thing is though, Mourinho appears to have one set of rules for one group of players and another for the other group.

...perfectly exemplified by his comments after the City game. Schurrle, an attacking player, gets lambasted publicly for momentarily losing concentration in defence whilst Ivanovic, a defender, does the exact same thing and gets away scot-free (as he has on many occasions).

[DYC. 7,542]

Key word there - was. Clearly he didn't fancy Cole as much as he did in his previous spell here. As for Lampard, he didn't always play but still did a lot more than Cole.

Was that because of his performances or was it because they did not get along the 2nd time around? That's something we'll never know. I will give you this though, the way Cole just 'disappeared' was absolutely bizarre.

[Jase 43,479]

Shame to some members here, really annoying when we lose a match some members are really really disgrace for them be here. How many matches we lost this season. THREE (3) FUCKING 3. We all wanted him to be here and he will be for long time we all want this. We clearly wanted to lose this match, not because FA is less important for us but we have 2 massive massive matches in 1 week especially against City (tittle decider). Support the team even when the manager or players don't do well. Sorry guys.

I'm sorry but that part there is a joke.

[Tomo 21,754]

We back to the old "Mourinho loves this player he will never drop him" line?

Wasn't Ramires one of them players?

[Jase 43,479]

Was that because of his performances or was it because they did not get along the 2nd time around? That's something we'll never know. I will give you this though, the way Cole just 'disappeared' was absolutely bizarre.

Maybe it's just me but I find that his treatment of players since he returned hasn't been all that impressive really.

...perfectly exemplified by his comments after the City game. Schurrle, an attacking player, gets lambasted publicly for momentarily losing concentration in defence whilst Ivanovic, a defender, does the exact same thing and gets away scot-free (as he has on many occasions).

"He blames who he wants. He blames who he wants."

[DYC. 7,542]

We back to the old "Mourinho loves this player he will never drop him" line?

Wasn't Ramires one of them players?

True. I remember people saying that all the time. Petr's a favourite too btw.

[Polo7 3,496]

Ok so we sack Mourihno and go for Simeone. He cant get us through a season unbeaten, sack him and go for Guardiola. Then when he loses we sack him and go for Ancelotti? Grass is always greener on the other side. Pathetic attitude by so called fans. Some of whom stuck up for Lampard moving to City. Now criticising Mourinho and his "outdated" tactics. LOL FML!!!! If Outdated gets us to 1st and champs league last 16 then Id take it all day long.

[Jase 43,479]

We back to the old "Mourinho loves this player he will never drop him" line?

Wasn't Ramires one of them players?

OR alternatively, you could consider "Mourinho loves this player, he will never sell him".

yes can be for you but not for me, look the way how we conceded the goals they we're "dancing" on our box, they scored easy goals like we did against Swansea. IMO.

Ludicrous. Our collapse had to do more with the players becoming complacent and not competing strongly against Bradford. Nothing to do whatsoever with waving the white flag. If we wanted to do that, we wouldn't have scored those 2 goals begin with and heck, if Mourinho had no intention to progress further, he would have started with a lot more youth players and go to lose from there.

[hamad138 190]

Mourinho will never be sacked, hes one of the top3 coach in the world.

In 5 Years we will discuss

[Tomo 21,754]

OR alternatively, you could consider "Mourinho loves this player, he will never sell him".

Like Essien?

[The Chels 2,502]

yes can be for you but not for me, look the way how we conceded the goals they we're "dancing" on our box, they scored easy goals like we did against Swansea. IMO.

That's how we normally defend?

[Laylabelle 9,754]

Ok so we sack Mourihno and go for Simeone. He cant get us through a season unbeaten, sack him and go for Guardiola. Then when he loses we sack him and go for Ancelotti? Grass is always greener on the other side. Pathetic attitude by so called fans. Some of whom stuck up for Lampard moving to City. Now criticising Mourinho and his "outdated" tactics. LOL FML!!!! If Outdated gets us to 1st and champs league last 16 then Id take it all day long.

Well after Jose carlo had the longest record so next year is the decider.if we don't get a 100% record off he goes

Yep we wanted to loose.hence cech reaction after the 3rd goal and the players response following..Spurs scored easy doesn't mean we wanted to loose that one!it was just a piss poor performance

[Jase 43,479]

Like Essien?

A player way past his best. Doesn't count.

[Barbara 15,149]

I blame him for not using his bench a lot, this results in a lot of rusty players on the pitch at the same time.

I'm not saying they should even start, but sometimes the game is over since HT and Mourinho won't make a change till the 85th minute.

I don't... some players like Luis and Zouma have in general played very little this season (Luis went weeks without playing) and they were very decent in their presentations. Luis made a few mistakes, but Zouma has been brilliant in most matches he's played. And this is a second division team, the should do better regardless of how often they play... they practice everyday! Rusty is one thing, toothless bottlers is something else.