The Mourinho Thread

[Tomo 21,751]

His lack of rotation has ended up costing us the CL and probably the League if the the other "contenders" weren't complete shit.

The 'lack of rotation' is partly the reason we have such a lead.

Upto November we were almost flawless because we had a settled side while our rivals were tinkering and dropping point's like it was going out of fashion.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Yes, when a team isnt at its best we need to have at least some decisions going our way. We have had 4 or 5 stonewall penalties not given. Other teams are getting penalties left right and centre. Thats how you build momentum.

Except we cant rely on penalties and we never get them and instead our players get booked for diving.Though given that the referee a few weeks ago sent off the wrong player not surprised they cant get the big decisions right

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

To be honest, Iva likes to dive.

[Tomo 21,751]

There's been talk of a new contract but I hope it's just talk at this moment. Even if we do go on to win the league he shouldn't be given a new contract. What's the rush? He supposedly loves the club and will only leave if Chelsea sack him / don't renew his contract. I personally don't want him to be given more time until we play better football and are more competitive in Europe - an easy run to the Champions League semi last season only to be comprehensively outclassed by a team with less than half the budget wasn't competitive before anybody mentions it.

That team also won La Liga against the two most expensive squad's in football history.

[Spike 12,049]

The other 19 of this league are crap. Comparing those teams to ours solves no problem.

How many of our attacking players would be startinf material is barca/bayern/RM. except for hazard, no one even comes close. Out of our 3 strikers costa may have a shot at RM, the remaining 3 AMs would not even make the bench. Thats the sorry state of affairs. Hell, they would not even make the bench at psg.

Our attack is purely and completely cesc oriented. And that is a FACT. We have over relied on cesc and with him out of form, we are struggling to score. That is no nonsens but a FACT. Most of our recent goals and the most important ones have come thru set pieces and our defenders cos we have been so shocking from open play. We do have options like remy and cuadrado who should be used cos people like oscar just are not.

Those three teams are inconsequential for the majority of the year save for a chance encounter in the Champions League. The other 19 teams are the teams that Chelsea has to defeat to win the league. The players that Chelsea has at it's disposal should be more than capable of winning any match in the league. If what you say is true and the team has over-relied on Cesc Fabregas to makes things tick than the fault falls squarely on the manager's shoulders for not have a plan-B. When a key player is out of form it is the manager's responsibility to come up with a solution, of which there hasn't been one. The squad isn't a paper-thin QPR that would be relegated without Charlie Austin. The resources available at this club are boundless and the fact that Chelsea can barely draw with Southampton and Burnley lose to Bradford City with the so often called best manager in the world is embarrassing. Since the club has last won the league a total of

£377,850,000 has been spent on players, players that can't beat Burnley. Unacceptable to play in such a pathetic manner.

[Tomo 21,751]

Arsenal will finish like 2nd or 3rd-probs like 5-8 points off top in the end and 'go again' next year then the cycle repeats. I am only worried about City because they have experience with these things while their rivals collapsed. Who knows God might reverse it this time with Gerrard scoring the winner in a few weeks and we lose ground to City. Anything can happen with the way we play.

Arsenal have two boom bust cycle's.

Start the season really well, have people talking about title, Wenger finally getting it and the transition over, only to collapse badly and end up 3rd or 4th.

or start the season abysmally, Wenger out etc only to be resurgent in the second half and get 3rd/4th, it's been one or the other for them since 2007.

And as u said in the title race thread, we can afford to be above average and still be all right.

[Polo7 3,496]

To be honest, Iva likes to dive.

The guy trod on his ankle? Lol

[Spike 12,049]

The guy trod on his ankle? Lol

He has dived a lot in the past. In particular the last season or so.

[DYC. 7,542]

Those three teams are inconsequential for the majority of the year save for a chance encounter in the Champions League. The other 19 teams are the teams that Chelsea has to defeat to win the league. The players that Chelsea has at it's disposal should be more than capable of winning any match in the league. If what you say is true and the team has over-relied on Cesc Fabregas to makes things tick than the fault falls squarely on the manager's shoulders for not have a plan-B. When a key player is out of form it is the manager's responsibility to come up with a solution, of which there hasn't been one. The squad isn't a paper-thin QPR that would be relegated without Charlie Austin. The resources available at this club are boundless and the fact that Chelsea can barely draw with Southampton and Burnley lose to Bradford City with the so often called best manager in the world is embarrassing. Since the club has last won the league a total of

£377,850,000 has been spent on players, players that can't beat Burnley. Unacceptable to play in such a pathetic manner.

Tbf, the results have been good overall.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Arsenal have two boom bust cycle's.

Start the season really well, have people talking about title, Wenger finally getting it and the transition over, only to collapse badly and end up 3rd or 4th.

or start the season abysmally, Wenger out etc only to be resurgent in the second half and get 3rd/4th, it's been one or the other for them since 2007.

And as u said in the title race thread, we can afford to be above average and still be all right.

If they get further. in the Champions League reckon they'll stay doing well.Usually that signals the beginning of it and considering they havent got past the last 16 since 2010 should they somehow manage it,be a huge confidence boost and all.Usually by now they're going but hasnt happened...gotta surley

[Fernando 6,585]

The other 19 of this league are crap. Comparing those teams to ours solves no problem.

How many of our attacking players would be startinf material is barca/bayern/RM. except for hazard, no one even comes close. Out of our 3 strikers costa may have a shot at RM, the remaining 3 AMs would not even make the bench. Thats the sorry state of affairs. Hell, they would not even make the bench at psg.

Our attack is purely and completely cesc oriented. And that is a FACT. We have over relied on cesc and with him out of form, we are struggling to score. That is no nonsens but a FACT. Most of our recent goals and the most important ones have come thru set pieces and our defenders cos we have been so shocking from open play. We do have options like remy and cuadrado who should be used cos people like oscar just are not.

If Fabregas our only hope then the solution is obvious.

As @supporter, said in the past we need someone like Koke to give support to Fabgreas.

But you just watch us buy another Cuadrado type of player.

[DYC. 7,542]

Arsenal have two boom bust cycle's.

Start the season really well, have people talking about title, Wenger finally getting it and the transition over, only to collapse badly and end up 3rd or 4th.

or start the season abysmally, Wenger out etc only to be resurgent in the second half and get 3rd/4th, it's been one or the other for them since 2007.

And as u said in the title race thread, we can afford to be above average and still be all right.

Is it me or are (most) Arsenal fans obvlious to this yearly cycle?

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Those three teams are inconsequential for the majority of the year save for a chance encounter in the Champions League. The other 19 teams are the teams that Chelsea has to defeat to win the league. The players that Chelsea has at it's disposal should be more than capable of winning any match in the league. If what you say is true and the team has over-relied on Cesc Fabregas to makes things tick than the fault falls squarely on the manager's shoulders for not have a plan-B. When a key player is out of form it is the manager's responsibility to come up with a solution, of which there hasn't been one. The squad isn't a paper-thin QPR that would be relegated without Charlie Austin. The resources available at this club are boundless and the fact that Chelsea can barely draw with Southampton and Burnley lose to Bradford City with the so often called best manager in the world is embarrassing. Since the club has last won the league a total of

£377,850,000 has been spent on players, players that can't beat Burnley. Unacceptable to play in such a pathetic manner.

Bang on! You will get no complaint from me,

[didierforever 7,349]

Those three teams are inconsequential for the majority of the year save for a chance encounter in the Champions League. The other 19 teams are the teams that Chelsea has to defeat to win the league. The players that Chelsea has at it's disposal should be more than capable of winning any match in the league. If what you say is true and the team has over-relied on Cesc Fabregas to makes things tick than the fault falls squarely on the manager's shoulders for not have a plan-B. When a key player is out of form it is the manager's responsibility to come up with a solution, of which there hasn't been one. The squad isn't a paper-thin QPR that would be relegated without Charlie Austin. The resources available at this club are boundless and the fact that Chelsea can barely draw with Southampton and Burnley lose to Bradford City with the so often called best manager in the world is embarrassing. Since the club has last won the league a total of

£377,850,000 has been spent on players, players that can't beat Burnley. Unacceptable to play in such a pathetic manner.

And I admit it is his fault to overly rely on cesc. Also, can u honeslty tell us a plan-b? I don't think we have one. And that is mainly due to our lack of quality and there is no doubt there is a lack of quality and to a certain extent even some lack of depth. As much as I love rambo, he shoukd not be cesc's replacement. Oscar and willian should not be first team starters (atleast not both together). This squad is still a work in progress and I am sure jose would have realised a lot of pur short comings this season. But to say that our "attacking talent" should be steam rolling all defences is nonsense cos our attacking talent is actually very limited. You want a comparison with other teams of this league then lets have it. Lets assume all teams play 4-2-31

City - aguero, silva, nasri, navas. Except for navas I would take all the rest 3 over ours.

Pool - sturridge, sterling, coutinho, lallana. Sterling and coutinho would walk into our team at this moment.

Arsenal- giroud, sanchez, ozil, cazorla. Sanchez and cazorla would walk into this team.

United - rooney, ADM, mata, young. Despite his poor form, adm is still class.

Spurs- only eriksen though I can't see how chadli is any worse.

So our supposed attacking prowess is pretty much on level with the rest of the clubs. Our x factor has been cesc who has been dire recently. And jose needs to sort this before the next season.

Ps - the bradford match was a one off which sometimes happens irrespective of any and evrything. For gid's sake, we have still just had 3 losses in the whole season. So don't try to prove a point with an anamoly like the bradford game.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Is it me or are (most) Arsenal fans obvlious to this yearly cycle?

Think most are just waiting for it to happen.Feb time it tends to be.Still remember that game against B'Ham that started it one year when Gallas sodded off and just sat in the middle of the pitch

Depends what happens Tues.That be a turning point win or loose.Either confidence or down they go.

Bradford...that was a disaster yet such a deserved result which in a way should've been a wake up call in terms of being able to defend leads.Yet some reason like today get a lead then sit back and they attack.Before felt confident on a 1-0 lead now less so.

Still we didnt loose today and City didnt win yesterday otherwise be completely different