The Mourinho Thread

[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 9,381]

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 6,484]

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 9,381]

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

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

The guy trod on his ankle? Lol

look at the last southampton attack i think, with pele.

[The Skipper 20,593]

No need to apologise. You're one of the few people on here that doesn't get emotional so I know we can have an adult conversation.

The second half looked like our typical huffing and puffing against a team that sits back when they have dropped physically.

To further elaborate on my earlier point:

We definitely made some changes tactically in the second half. In the first we were very deep, a lot more compact, and weren't committing men forward, especially after our goal (we had a decent 5 minute spell before that). In the second it definitely changed. Mourinho got more players to commit forward and we played with a much higher line and started pressing a lot more and played more physically - so I would say we caused Soton to retreat to their initial game plan; they definitely came to the Bridge looking to sit and counter but because we offered them so much freedom in the first half, Koeman allowed his players to revert to the more traditional way Soton play - which is trying to dictate the tempo. As soon as Mourinho realised that we shouldn't be as compact or patient and that we should play with a much higher tempo and line, we automatically took control of the game as we should've from the start.

Remember, Southampton haven't played for 12 days iirc - that's a lot of preparation time. They weren't physically exhausted or anything - Koeman's tactics are just very, very flexible. It's the reason why they're joint best defensively with us in the PL this year. They can change their transitions in a moment, a very well coached team. As soon as Koeman realised that we were piling on the pressure he got his team to retreat into a low block and hoped that the pace of Mane and Long would catch us out, but credit to Azpi, JT (who I thought was great in the 2nd half, underrated performance. Made a lot of key interceptions) and Ramires (who came on and performed the Matic role excellently), who didn't give those two a sniff. Courtois was also a lot more proactive off his line because we pushed up higher, I'm sure this was an instruction from Jose (naturally, of course).

Credit must go to Mourinho for actually trying to revert back to our more cavalier approach from earlier in the season, we haven't seen that from the team in ages. His subs indicated that we were going for the win as well. I really liked his Ramires -> Matic sub - haven't seen a risky sub like that from Mourinho in ages. Of course credit to the players who responded magnificently as well and tried to win the game.

[didierforever 7,349]

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.

Barca and RM lost a 38 match league to that team and as far as I can remember they have owned their next door neighbours -multiple times to the extent of a 4-0 drubbing and they beat barca at nou camp to win the league. Jose shoyld probable commir suicide cos he lost to a team of that calibre.

[Spike 12,049]

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.

I did not say that I know Mourinho's plan b nor did I say that he has one, I said that he hasn't shown one thus so far. Redundant question to ask me. I said that the attacking talent "should be capable of defeating any team" not that it can nor did I say that they should be steam rolling the defences of other teams. There is a difference between what I've said and what you'd inferred from me. Unless you stop putting words in my mouth, I have nothing more to add to this debate of ours. If £300,000,000 is a work in progress, then the club should seriously question the scouting sectors of the club. Pathetic to spend this much money on a team that plays pragmatic football.

That is true the team has only lost three teams this season. But the team is winning at what cost? Grinding out results? Disgusting.To win with style and defending with grace should be the team's ultimate goal. The attacking is disjointed and the defending is at times desperate and hamfisted. Notwithstanding Chelsea is a club in the postition to buy success and indoing so may as well buy it with a beautiful intent. I am not upset with the success the club is achieving but I am very critical of the how the success is being achieved. Do the means really justify the end?

[Jase 43,479]

Couldn't agree more with these points.

Mourinho's stubborness of being loyal to several players has led to poor management of the squad and decision making. That has certainly affected the team's performances of late.

[didierforever 7,349]

I did not say that I know Mourinho's plan b nor did I say that he has one, I said that he hasn't shown one thus so far. Redundant question to ask me. I said that the attacking talent "should be capable of defeating any team" not that it can nor did I say that they should be steam rolling the defences of other teams. There is a difference between what I've said and what you'd inferred from me. Unless you stop putting words in my mouth, I have nothing more to add to this debate of ours. If £300,000,000 is a work in progress, then the club should seriously question the scouting sectors of the club. Pathetic to spend this much money on a team that plays pragmatic football.

That is true the team has only lost three teams this season. But the team is winning at what cost? Grinding out results? Disgusting.To win with style and defending with grace should be the team's ultimate goal. The attacking is disjointed and the defending is at times desperate and hamfisted. Notwithstanding Chelsea is a club in the postition to buy success and indoing so may as well buy it with a beautiful intent. I am not upset with the success the club is achieving but I am very critical of the how the success is being achieved. Do the means really justify the end?

I am sorry dude. At first I thought, you were just upset with the amount of goals being scored in the last 13 matches and inspite of our supposed "attacking abundance of talent", I thought the reason for that was prettt evident. I just dint know i was talking to one of those people who thought grindong results is pathetic. One of the most hilarious statements I have read. Not gonna waste my time anymore.

You dint say steam rolling but for a team who has scored 94 goals in 43 matches this season, I would say its a pretty good return. What's more is that we just played a game against the league's meanest defence and did "dominate" Soton all through the 2nd half and were probably very unlucky more than once to not get a winner.

Another LOL argument is that since we have spent 300mil in 5 years' time, so this can not be a team in progress especially when half of our manger's transfers have been to clean out the previous messes like torres, luiz, mata (that 100mil right there) and getting players which he wanted rather than what were given to him.

Also, I did admit that jose was wrong in a number of things. When I was asking questions, it was to signify that I myself dint know the answer so I admit the thing. Anithr OTT reaction from you in that resoective. As for asking if the means justify the end? What kind of a stupid question is that? Of course it does. There is a cautionary tale in arsenal.

[Oscar 441]

Couldn't agree more with these points.

Mourinho's stubborness of being loyal to several players has led to poor management of the squad and decision making. That has certainly affected the team's performances of late.

Salah, Remy and mikel...

[Spike 12,049]

I am sorry dude. At first I thought, you were just upset with the amount of goals being scored in the last 13 matches and inspite of our supposed "attacking abundance of talent", I thought the reason for that was prettt evident. I just dint know i was talking to one of those people who thought grindong results is pathetic. One of the most hilarious statements I have read. Not gonna waste my time anymore.

You dint say steam rolling but for a team who has scored 94 goals in 43 matches this season, I would say its a pretty good return. What's more is that we just played a game against the league's meanest defence and did "dominate" Soton all through the 2nd half and were probably very unlucky more than once to not get a winner.

Another LOL argument is that since we have spent 300mil in 5 years' time, so this can not be a team in progress especially when half of our manger's transfers have been to clean out the previous messes like torres, luiz, mata (that 100mil right there) and getting players which he wanted rather than what were given to him.

Also, I did admit that jose was wrong in a number of things. When I was asking questions, it was to signify that I myself dint know the answer so I admit the thing. Anithr OTT reaction from you in that resoective. As for asking if the means justify the end? What kind of a stupid question is that? Of course it does. There is a cautionary tale in arsenal.

What is the point of debating with you if you just believe my opinion is a waste of time? I'm open to new ideas and I am willing to say I'm wrong when I'm wrong but you are something else. I guess I'll keep my lol arguements and stupid questions to myself, thanks for the respectful debate, I had fun .Have a nice day.

[Stats 7,059]

LEAGUE CUP WINNERS AND SIX POINTS CLEAR

MOURINHO OUT

Fickle bastards.

Can't wait to quote a shitload of these posts when/if we win the PL and the same critics are licking his arsehole.

Come on Alex. That is harsh. Majority of us want Mourinho to stay but he does deserve criticism.

-We won the League Cup. Nice early season trophy.

-We get dumped out the 4th round to Bradford in a comp that regarding how many big sides went out, we could have thrived in that. Major disappointment.

-Champions League: We easily go through the group stage however go out in the knockouts to a team who outplayed us both games. Awful tactics and considering we were up against 10 men for the 2nd leg and played that poor and went out is ridiculous. Never been that raged by a Chelsea performance before. Another huge disappointment.

-League. We were excellent, early season. However for a while now the performances are getting poor. It is worrying. Yes it looks like we will wrap up the league but we have been lucky in the sense that our main rivals have dropped many points where they should have won. However look at some of our performances recently and tell me if that is not cause for concern. I will be delighted if we win the league but the second half of the season performances have been below-par.

Mourinho rarely rotates the team and it shows. Buying Luis for £16m or so and rarely using him is pathetic. He does well most games he pulls on a Chelsea shirt. If we win the PL it will be a success for me because that is what I wanted the most at the beginning but let's be honest, their have been a lot of flaws this season that Mourinho should be accountable for too. The UCL exit was a poor performance from the players but he takes a huge part of the blame and tbh with you it is only because of our early season form that keeps us in first place. That is worrying as it papers over the cracks.

Anyway, hope we just win this title and Mourinho does some major business in the summer to make sure we are even stronger for next season.