The Mourinho Thread

[Barbara 15,149]

There's a line the size of a cruiser between fair criticism towards players and manager and the spoiled moaning from people that love to criticize. I don't know what's rational, fair, and so special in the arguments and reasonings a few have going on here like a broken record (thankfully they're only a few, otherwise I would have stopped coming here a long time ago, there's so many people I can have on my ignore list). They worship other managers and players - that make mistakes and have bad matches as anyone else, but they ignore completely when those teams and managers do badly. They also overly criticize Mourinho and Chelsea when things are bad or not ideal, but guess what? They take disappearing tea when things are well. This is not a case of greener grass, but downright unhappiness, bitterness and crankiness. Someone could defend them and say they're the kind of people that are perfectionists, that demand and expect a lot from others - be it the team, the manager, the board, the club. But some aren't anything else but narcissists that want to be proven right - even if it means the team's pitfall while others are just grumpy.

Now, when people that can say the difference between fair criticism and bratty endless complaining have something to say, I'm sure most people won't react as if they were spoiled bitches and call them on their moaning because then it won't be moaning, but criticism.

The team should have expanded the lead before the Matic episode, regardless of how awful the officiating have been and how it had clearly harmed us in the end. You could see the team was trying, they weren't complacent and lacking interest like we did some times last season. It's just that we didn't do it. Burnley played well against a few big teams, they were lucky today, had the referee favor, and we weren't clinical when we should have. That's what leads are for, for when matches get complicated and you just can't get the result, you still continue ahead. No team is going to win 100% of their points til the end of the season despite some here believing City, Aguero, Simeone, Atletico, Coutinho, etc are perfect and never fail, despite what their positions in the table say. Poor unlucky souls, they aren't leading their leagues, but awful bastards such as Mourinho, Costa, Fabregas, Chelsea are. This world is so unfair.

[xPetrCechx 13,578]

[The Chels 2,502]

Which is why I said he will do precisely nothing and play a disastarous Cesc-Rami pivot.

Just remembered that's the same pivot we used against Bradford lol. It's no wonder we couldn't hang on today when it was that duo playing together again.

[lionsden 4,689]

Meh, it's more of a pisstake at those who seem to be offended at any perceived slight/criticism. Rational supporters seemingly can't make any criticism of the manager, player performances, tactics etc without being shouted down or being called names.

Stop moaning

[Ledg 644]

I said in the match thread that a win against Spurs would be a huge mental boost but not only. It would bring Mou confidence back in him after the FA crap all season. And 2 years without trophy it must be a big pressure for a manager of his caliber.

Maybe it's a Mickey Mouse trophy but I really want to win in cause it could be vital.

[The_Flash 1,144]

They hate us and hate Jose, I've never wanted us to win a trophy more, I want the capital one cup and league

PLEASE CHELSEA!!!!

[Barbara 15,149]

I said in the match thread that a win against Spurs would be a huge mental boost but not only. It would bring Mou confidence back in him after the FA crap all season. And 2 years without trophy it must be a big pressure for a manager of his caliber.

Maybe it's a Mickey Mouse trophy but I really want to win in cause it could be vital.

the problem is if we don't win... and I guess it's a 50/50

Hopefully we'll win, but the team have been having too many ups and downs. The key players aren't doing well or deciding and we just lost one for the final.

Here's hoping for an Iva winner. Or Terry. Or anyone actually, but I feel like if anyone was going to get us the winner would be one of those guys.

Just remembered that's the same pivot we used against Bradford lol. It's no wonder we couldn't hang on today when it was that duo playing together again.

that's my concern to the final and the match against West Ham - and reason why I keep saying instead of addressing CAMs and wingers we should be addressing our pivot backup players.

Who can we play? Even if we move Cesc to the CAM position, who's going to play alongside Ramires? Mikel may be as good as gone imo, but at least he could have done a defensively job for the most part. Now what are we supposed to do?

Some said getting one of the defenders. I've watched Luís playing a few times, it wasn't Luiz's level, but maybe the kind of protection Cesc+Ramires could use. Just have a triple pivot and see how we cope. It could be Ake as well, but is he ready to play a final, a derby nonetheless when the club, the manager and the players have a lot of pressure to win?

[The_Flash 1,144]

I was amazed that Branislav didn't get sent off as well so he would also be banned for the final..

I'm so upset and angry I can't get over it, why do they have to screw us?? If he had only given just one penalty, that would have been three points??

I was so happy start of the game I predicted branislav to score first I was screaming with joy couldn't believe how bad it would then get and I just love how Sky are such ***** they put it on game of the day??

[ZOS 580]

and with mikel no?

yeah, I know what you're saying ... but Rambo has been terrible this season and the idea of him and Cesc .. can't see nothing good coming out of it

[The Chels 2,502]

that's my concern to the final and the match against West Ham - and reason why I keep saying instead of addressing CAMs and wingers we should be addressing our pivot backup players. Who can we play? Even if we move Cesc to the CAM position, who's going to play alongside Ramires? Mikel may be as good as gone imo, but at least he could have done a defensively job for the most part. Now what are we supposed to do? Some said getting one of the defenders. I've watched Luís playing a few times, it wasn't Luiz's level, but maybe the kind of protection Cesc+Ramires could use. Just have a triple pivot and see how we cope. It could be Ake as well, but is he ready to play a final, a derby nonetheless when the club, the manager and the players have a lot of pressure to win?

We are definitely very light in the DM position and I think that might have been an oversight by the club. Hmm Mourinho hasn't really trusted Luis much in his best position so I don't think he will play him at DM. I actually think it will be Cahill next to Ramires since he did play there for a short while against City, and Jose did sometimes use Pepe in the midfield against Barca. I would rather see the Luiz-Lampard duo from last year than that though!

[supporter 3,088]

We are going to go into meltdown tactics. 3-5-2 with Remy and Costa or Costa and Hazard as a false 9.

Courtois

Cahill Zouma Terry

Azpi Ake Cesc Oscar Willian

Hazard Costa

Hell, we might well be better off with Hazard F-9 and Remy up front, Tottenham is not an expendable game for Costa to get his form back, not now. We need Hazard's foulling ability to pull us up the field, everybody has to track back like hell. Our bench will be a wreck. Shit, we'll only have 1 CB backup.

Bench: Cech, Iva, Christensen, Ramires, RLC, Cuadrado, Remy/Costa

Packing the mid will be the only way we'll get out of this alive, but to tell the truth, I'll be very surprised if Mou doesn't change his formation and risk a shaky Cesc-Ramires pivot.

The sanction of Matic is like a kick in our mouth. I think he is totally irreplaceable. But now we start thinking like replace him.

I think that although it sounds crazy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek's the only chance we have on the bench to replace Matic. I do not know how, maybe with a defense of 5 with three Centre-back and playing with Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Ramires - Fabregas.

Ramires is impossible to occupy as much space as it does Matic. Therefore, Ramires

need another midfielder with him. With Mikel injured, I think the ideal would Loftus Cheek to mate with Ramires player. Maybe Nathan Ake has characteristics similar to Ramires (although Ake can better distribute the ball).

I think Ramires - Fabregas - Willian would be too risky. Maybe Willian in the left side with Loftus-Cheek, Ramires, Fabregas in the center would be a good option.

The finals maybe are not good day to do experiments.

But it is also true that maybe placing Ruben Loftus-Cheek may be our best option, an unexpected choice that may surprise our opponents.

The sanction to Matic leaves little margin for reaction. Mikel is injured ... Wow! Damned red card!

Another option would be that pose last year Jose against Atletico de Madrid when Jose put Azpilicueta ahead of Ivanovic on the right side. Maybe this year Jose place Luis Filipe on the left side ahead of Azpilicueta.

There are many possibilities, but none as Matic.

The main objective for us must be given full freedom of movement for Fabregas. Fabregas need more freedom. No having to worry about nothing more than create football.

Option 1.

Courtois

Zouma John Terry

Ivanovic Azpilicueta

Ramires Loftus-Cheek

Willian Filipe Luis

Fabregas (False position)

Diego Costa Hazard

In defense.

Courtois

Zouma John Terry Azpilicueta

(As false Centre-Back)

Ivanovic Filipe Luis

Willian Ramires Loftus-Cheek

I think with Filipe Luis in the starting eleven we can take the risk of putting Ruben Loftus-Cheek as midfield, despite being a final.

I believe that placing Ramires and Fabregas alone in midfield could be too risky.

If Mikel does not recover for next Sunday Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Nathan Ake must be our starting eleven. True, it is risky to play with young boys a final, but it is also true that it would be very risky to change our usual game, where the position Matic is always present. We need a player with those specific characteristics.

I hope your comments.

Regards.

Regards to ALL.

[Tomo 21,751]

You are missing the point. No one is talking about going gungho especially when ahead by two goals. I used Man city as reference because they manage the game much better than us ,and bar one or two games this season, they rarely lose or draw from a wining position because of it. How many points have we dropped this season from a winning position? quite a lot is the answer. which would suggest that our way isn't working. if you keep losing leads then you need to rethink your strategy.

Fair enough, although I don't think this team are equipped to go for it and risk the counter, it's catch 22 at the moment as I believe the squad is still evolving one way or another, im sure our activity in the summer will help like we fixed the majir issues last.

[Tomo 21,751]

Just remembered that's the same pivot we used against Bradford lol. It's no wonder we couldn't hang on today when it was that duo playing together again.

Played for the last 20 vs Bradford as well

[The Chels 2,502]

Another option would be that pose last year Jose against Atletico de Madrid when Jose put Azpilicueta ahead of Ivanovic on the right side. Maybe this year Jose place Luis Filipe on the left side ahead of Azpilicueta.

Jose only played Azpi there to man-mark Luis. I don't think he will do anything like that this game because we need to change things more in the middle of the park than out wide, and I don't see Jose changing so many positions so drastically. I can see Cahill playing in the midfield next to Ramires and probably Cesc. Most of the realistic options seem quite bad in theory though, but I guess we will have a whole week to practise it in training whatever it ends up being.

Played for the last 20 vs Bradford as well

It really is an awful combination and I hope to never see it again.

[supporter 3,088]

Jose only played Azpi there to man-mark Luis. I don't think he will do anything like that this game because we need to change things more in the middle of the park than out wide, and I don't see Jose changing so many positions so drastically. I can see Cahill playing in the midfield next to Ramires and probably Cesc. Most of the realistic options seem quite bad in theory though, but I guess we will have a whole week to practise it in training whatever it ends up being.

It really is an awful combination and I hope to never see it again.

Hi!

I think that Cahill in the center would be an option too risky. So I talk about Filipe Luis. Maybe Jose Luis Filipe now is a player who attacks still too much to replace Azpilicuela. So I think that maybe placing ahead of Filipe Luis Azpilicueta may be a good option.

When we defend, Jose always placed a false defense of 5 players placing Matic or Willian on the sides and three centre-backs.

Considering the big void which is the sanction of Matic, Filipe Luis can generate much more football than Cahill. Therefore I would choose Filipe Luis.

Regards.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Iva trying to prevent the ref from showing Matic a red card was hilarious. love the big guy!

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

The sanction of Matic is like a kick in our mouth. I think he is totally irreplaceable. But now we start thinking like replace him.

I think that although it sounds crazy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek's the only chance we have on the bench to replace Matic. I do not know how, maybe with a defense of 5 with three Centre-back and playing with Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Ramires - Fabregas.

Ramires is impossible to occupy as much space as it does Matic. Therefore, Ramires

need another midfielder with him. With Mikel injured, I think the ideal would Loftus Cheek to mate with Ramires player. Maybe Nathan Ake has characteristics similar to Ramires (although Ake can better distribute the ball).

I think Ramires - Fabregas - Willian would be too risky. Maybe Willian in the left side with Loftus-Cheek, Ramires, Fabregas in the center would be a good option.

The finals maybe are not good day to do experiments.

But it is also true that maybe placing Ruben Loftus-Cheek may be our best option, an unexpected choice that may surprise our opponents.

The sanction to Matic leaves little margin for reaction. Mikel is injured ... Wow! Damned red card!

Another option would be that pose last year Jose against Atletico de Madrid when Jose put Azpilicueta ahead of Ivanovic on the right side. Maybe this year Jose place Luis Filipe on the left side ahead of Azpilicueta.

There are many possibilities, but none as Matic.

The main objective for us must be given full freedom of movement for Fabregas. Fabregas need more freedom. No having to worry about nothing more than create football.

Option 1.

Courtois

Zouma John Terry

Ivanovic Azpilicueta

Ramires Loftus-Cheek

Willian Filipe Luis

Fabregas (False position)

Diego Costa Hazard

In defense.

Courtois

Zouma John Terry Azpilicueta

(As false Centre-Back)

Ivanovic Filipe Luis

Willian Ramires Loftus-Cheek

I think with Filipe Luis in the starting eleven we can take the risk of putting Ruben Loftus-Cheek as midfield, despite being a final.

I believe that placing Ramires and Fabregas alone in midfield could be too risky.

If Mikel does not recover for next Sunday Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Nathan Ake must be our starting eleven. True, it is risky to play with young boys a final, but it is also true that it would be very risky to change our usual game, where the position Matic is always present.

I hope your comments.

Regards.

Regards to ALL.

I agree, but don't forget Ake is a real holding DM, unlike a box to box like Ramires, and I believe RLC is also technically a CM/B2B rather than a DM. I think a 5 man defence might be interesting, but if we do that we face the same problem in that the midfield will collapse and will invite pressure that even a 3 man centre back team might fail within. If Ake can successfully emulate the 'Matic role' to any degree we might be able to get away with it. It might be a good thing in some way to play RLC with him, as you said, because they will have a good understanding of each other, and I think if Jose shows 'big balls' he might do, but I believe that if Ramires is fit, by default he will start, which is annoying because personally I don't believe he's capable enough to be anywhere near a Chelsea team, I never really have done. I think, though, that it might be a good idea to play Zouma in a false 4-3-3 pivot, though, he has the right build and he's good on the ball, and naturally he will defend like a beast. If we play him then by default we will be planning to play a low defensive block, ideal for Terry and Cahill, who even with those who don't like him, showed up in the same system last season when we were good at grounding out 'ugly wins' and that is what we should be aiming to do, because we have the capability to do it. With that in mind, we could employ a 4-3-3 or pack out the midfield to fully replace Matic (what a loss!) with a 3-5-2 or even play a 4-4-2, because right now Diego needs help.

In a 4-4-2 diamond:

Courtois

Iva Cahill Terry Luis - The fullbacks provide the width in the system, which allows us to overload the midfield.

Zouma - Provides Matic-style shielding of the CBs if he's capable, or on a most basic label and act as a false CB. His movement will help greatly.

Ake - Rami/RLC - Mostly acts as DM/CM pivot but not completely, which means Ramires should not be creating, but holding possession and looking to simply draw the opposition.

Hazard - No 10 style role. Pretty much what Cesc usually does, but he is not in form and we can't risk a passenger.

Costa Remy

Remy and Costa aid each other as Costa gets back to fitness. Cesc on the bench to give us options there, and one of RLC and Ramires on the bench too. Cuadrado can interchange with Iva, Azpi on the bench too as he can either be a false CB or an LB. If Zouma gets injured then Ake will have to drop back into his role and RLC/Rami where Ake is. Cesc can go where Hazard is, Drogs can go up front. Christensen will have to be a last resort. If we get further midfield injuries Oscar can come on, or Willian.

IMO, this is the best way to stretch our very thin midfield squad. What do you think, Supporter? I doubt Mou would change his formation so much, but he did play a back 3 when we were at 10 men.

Bench: Cech, Azpi, Christensen, RLC/Rami, Cesc, Willian/Cuadrado, Drogba

[lionsden 4,689]

Fair enough, although I don't think this team are equipped to go for it and risk the counter, it's catch 22 at the moment as I believe the squad is still evolving one way or another, im sure our activity in the summer will help like we fixed the majir issues last.

Its not even about going for the killer blow. The best way to see out a game for me is to frustrate the opponent by starving them of posession, keeping the ball really well, slowing the game down, high pressing, drawing fouls etc all of which falls under game/time management. We rarely do these things. What we do instead is give away posession cheaply and just sit back to defend deep and hoping for the best,inviting unneccessary pressure which usually backfires. IMOit's a tactical issue because I believe we have ebough quality in the team to see out games much better than we have been doing this season.

[supporter 3,088]

I agree, but don't forget Ake is a real holding DM, unlike a box to box like Ramires, and I believe RLC is also technically a CM/B2B rather than a DM. I think a 5 man defence might be interesting, but if we do that we face the same problem in that the midfield will collapse and will invite pressure that even a 3 man centre back team might fail within. If Ake can successfully emulate the 'Matic role' to any degree we might be able to get away with it. It might be a good thing in some way to play RLC with him, as you said, because they will have a good understanding of each other, and I think if Jose shows 'big balls' he might do, but I believe that if Ramires is fit, by default he will start, which is annoying because personally I don't believe he's capable enough to be anywhere near a Chelsea team, I never really have done. I think, though, that it might be a good idea to play Zouma in a false 4-3-3 pivot, though, he has the right build and he's good on the ball, and naturally he will defend like a beast. If we play him then by default we will be planning to play a low defensive block, ideal for Terry and Cahill, who even with those who don't like him, showed up in the same system last season when we were good at grounding out 'ugly wins' and that is what we should be aiming to do, because we have the capability to do it. With that in mind, we could employ a 4-3-3 or pack out the midfield to fully replace Matic (what a loss!) with a 3-5-2 or even play a 4-4-2, because right now Diego needs help.

In a 4-4-2 diamond:

Courtois

Iva Cahill Terry Luis - The fullbacks provide the width in the system, which allows us to overload the midfield.

Zouma - Provides Matic-style shielding of the CBs if he's capable, or on a most basic label and act as a false CB. His movement will help greatly.

Ake - Rami/RLC - Mostly acts as DM/CM pivot but not completely, which means Ramires should not be creating, but holding possession and looking to simply draw the opposition.

Hazard - No 10 style role. Pretty much what Cesc usually does, but he is not in form and we can't risk a passenger.

Costa Remy

Remy and Costa aid each other as Costa gets back to fitness. Cesc on the bench to give us options there, and one of RLC and Ramires on the bench too. Cuadrado can interchange with Iva, Azpi on the bench too as he can either be a false CB or an LB. If Zouma gets injured then Ake will have to drop back into his role and RLC/Rami where Ake is. Cesc can go where Hazard is, Drogs can go up front. Christensen will have to be a last resort. If we get further midfield injuries Oscar can come on, or Willian.

IMO, this is the best way to stretch our very thin midfield squad. What do you think, Supporter? I doubt Mou would change his formation so much, but he did play a back 3 when we were at 10 men.

Bench: Cech, Azpi, Christensen, RLC/Rami, Cesc, Willian/Cuadrado, Drogba

Hi friend!

Very interesting your comments.

Yes, I agree that maybe placing Cahill could be interesting. Cahill has much experience. That is very important for the finals. Maybe Jose did not make Zouma against PSG by his inexperience in big games.

Put Cahill in our starting eleven would also allow us to create a security wall in our defense. That would help greatly to our team.

Regarding Nathan Ake, I prefer to Ruben Loftus-Cheek because Ruben has some physical characteristics like Matic. His physical deployment is bigger than Nathan Ake. Obviously Ake would also be a good option. And this guy has a mental strength for strong emotions.

And having Filipe Luis on the bench would give us the ability to have a backup in case we needed it revolutionize the game.Thinking coolly, having Filipe Luis, Oscar and Remy on the bench would be important if the development of the game is not like us we thought before the match.

Cahill - John Terry with Zouma (with more freedom and less pressure) would also be a good option.

Regards.

Regards to ALL.

[edetarod 2,155]

has to figure out a way for us to score more than 1 goal a game