The Mourinho Thread

[kellzfresh 7,229]

What's then going to happen is the other teams are going to do the same and the games will become what the early Chelsea-Liverpool Champions League games. I don't think Roman wanted that 'shit on a stick' football back.

Thats a big "what if"

Its not like were going to play like in the champs league final in every match, that wasnt counter attacking, that was just all out defensive.

We'll just play more in the wings instead of coming through the middle at all. We'll stretch the play more, cross more, play faster and create more chances as a result. Instead of waiting for the perfect through ball through the middle

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Allowing space....then what ? I know, Torres, BA or Eto´o will miss the net.

Eto yesterday was just

[Amblève. 4,995]

I get rotating and I'm all for it but changing the attacking midfield every fucking game is far from ideal. How does he expect the players to build any chemistry and understand where to move, when to pass etc when they don't even have to chance to gel together? It's just like last year when Benitez was around and changing our back-4 every single game.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I get rotating and I'm all for it but changing the attacking midfield every fucking game is far from ideal. How does he expect the players to build any chemistry and understand where to move, when to pass etc when they don't even have to chance to gel together? It's just like last year when Benitez was around and changing our back-4 every single game.

I said this a long time ago that team chemistry is more important than giving everybody game time. Now the attackers just plays like they met themselves for the first time

[bushman 2,043]

Thats a big "what if"

Its not like were going to play like in the champs league final in every match, that wasnt counter attacking, that was just all out defensive.

We'll just play more in the wings instead of coming through the middle at all. We'll stretch the play more, cross more, play faster and create more chances as a result. Instead of waiting for the perfect through ball through the middle

Excuse me, just in case you care to explain. How do you propose to play faster, cross more & create more chances, then ?

Have you not watched the team, lately ?

[Special Juan 28,141]

The problem there is that a lot players are not performing to a consistent level thus he changes it, can't blame him for that especially if you have people like Willian waiting around for a chance etc.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Excuse me, just in case you care to explain. How do you propose to play faster, cross more & create more chances, then ?

Have you not watched the team, lately ?

The team have been holding baseless possession, trying to play like barca and find the perfect through pass, that is not a mourinho system. Without mata it looks worse.

So scrap that, dribble at the flanks more and get crosses in and get forward fast on the counter. Only speed can open up a defense.

Unless there is a xavi or yaya toure for our pivot to give perfect through passes through the middle, slow possession between John terry and cahill is useless.

[bushman 2,043]

The team have been holding baseless possession, trying to play like barca and find the perfect through pass, that is not a mourinho system. Without mata it looks worse.

So scrap that, dribble at the flanks more and get crosses in and get forward fast on the counter. Only speed can open up a defense.

Unless there is a xavi or yaya toure for our pivot to give perfect through passes through the middle, slow possession between John terry and cahill is useless.

I am a bit puzzled by your claim here. Trying to play like Barca......NOT JOSE´S SYSTEM ?

May I ask, is he not Chelsea´s coach for 6 months or is he there only physically ? Does he not see it or what ?

[Clevemayer 764]

That's the problem, the term 'not bad' is not good enough for the sheer amount of talent fielded last night.

Our ball retention is a complete joke, if all else fails hit it long to Eto'o that should do it. Jose's after match comments couldn't of been any more wide of the mark, we weren't excellent attacking, we weren't playing well. It was a display that showed lack of commitment, lack of cutting edge again and showed all our deficiencies in large amounts once again.

sorry can't agree, let me put this straight my not bad was actually ment like, we should've won this till the 80th min we were completely dominant in midfield and pressing well, but our striking department and our offensive-players were a disgrace, willian taken aside... he was again very good

[EBH 283]

That's for the minimal homegrown quota

Maybe.. but why not promote young player to fill this quota, instead of giving such a big contract.. they will not be happy to be on 10,000 weekly like the young player...

[EBH 283]

One thing we should remember... usually, this time, last 3, 4, 5 years, we are on the winless 8 match run.. at least with Mourinho, it is not so bad, it is win one, lose one, win one, lose one...

[The only place to be 11,313]

I'd like to see us return to the dominating, speedy system of yesteryear and I think we have players that it suits. We're just lacking the midfield to do it.

I also think that system is completely wrong for Mata, but perfect for players like Hazard, Schurrle, Willian and Oscar.

I'd like us to also invest in defenders who are stoppers and just get the ball to the next level....and then we need that next level. Rami can drive the ball out of defence with pace and so could Guarin potentially.

If you look at our academy, we have players who are powerful and speedy so why not just make that our ethos? We seem perfectly set up to play that style effectively for the next decade.

[bushman 2,043]

Oh boy, styles, young players, buy new players....on & on.

Somehow, most of us refuse to admit that the squad is not playing well enough to win games, consistently.

How much longer are we going to wait to see this team of well paid players perform well, to be pleased to watch them play gradely football ?

[Tomo 21,751]

I think what has become apparent is we wont be getting instant success under Jose this time.

Well i say that, we might get instant success in terms of trophies, mainly because this season has a best of the bad bunch air about it, and that team could well turn out to be us, but playing in the dominant way we did under Jose last time will take a bit off time this time round.

Remember how bad Liverpool were under Rodgers this time last year? they were in the bottom half toe to toe with Norwich, now they are the in form team in the country, Mancini had an average year in 10/11 in build up to his title season in 11/12. We are playing like shit but still getting results and hanging in there, ask United fans, that formula usually ends well.

If the Guarin and Zouma rumours are true, that also shows that Jose has atleast identified the problem, and is trying to fix it, it's easy to say well he could have done that in the summer, but Mourinho was been manager off Real Madrid during our 3 years of struggles, so he didn't live with the problem week in, week out like we have. Now he has had 6 months off it, he is trying to sort it out.

We always ask Roman to be patient, yet we can't think past the middle of the next week, it's well within our capabilities to grind out 7-9 points in the next 3 games then go into January with new players. If we win at The Emirates we will either be top or joint top having played average on the most part, that is not to be sniffed at.

Changing manager's will just mean the same problem starts again, i will make a proper judgement when we get under way next campaign, after Jose has had 3 transfer window's and a whole season to sort thing's out. We have all the foundation's to become a top team again, as soon as the balance issue is sorted, we will be fine.

[Barbara 15,149]

Mourihino is the one that tells them to protect a 1-0 lead! not the players! with the players we have we should be out to go score 3-4 a game! like city

STOP SAYING BULLSHIT!

It's annoying as heck!

Are you deaf? The guy has been complaining about the same thing for a month!!!!!! That the team has a chance to score 2, 3, 4 goals and doesn't and he DOESN'T like it.

20th....

[The_Flash 1,144]

Jose WISHES more than anyone he had the likes of Aguero or Suarez to call upon, if we did we would be walking it, but we don't we have three terrible strikers and that is it, no matter which of the three he plays they are terrible. Last night the goal never looked like coming. Etoo was too busy giving the ball away and frankly falling over it, and Ba is too slow, it is a sorry state of affairs,and we have to remember Jose is a fan of our club, he has put alot on the line to come back here. It is heavy going

[lionsden 4,689]

One major factor that has been brushed under the carpet is Jose's terrible defensive record at real madrid. here's just data from games last season alone.

Tue 06/11/12 UCL Real Madrid 2 - 2 Borussia Dortmund View events Sat 08/12/12 PRD Real Valladolid 2 - 3 Real Madrid View events Sun 16/12/12 PRD Real Madrid 2 - 2 Espanyol View events More info Sat 22/12/12 PRD Málaga 3 - 2 Real Madrid View events More info Sun 06/01/13 PRD Real Madrid 4 - 3 Real Sociedad View events More info

Tue 09/04/13 UCL Galatasaray 3 - 2 Real Madrid View events More info Wed 24/04/13 UCL Borussia Dortmund 4 - 1

Sat 04/05/13 PRD Real Madrid 4 - 3 Real Valladolid View events More info Wed 08/05/13 PRD Real Madrid 6 - 2 Málaga View events More info More info More info Sun 26/05/13 PRD Real Sociedad 3 - 3 Real Madrid View events More info Sat 01/06/13 PRD Real Madrid 4 - 2 Osasuna View events More info Wed 24/07/13 CLF Olympique Lyonnais 2 - 2 Real Madrid More info More info

he had Ronaldo,who consistently bailed them out, to thank last season.

so his poor defensive record this season isn't anything new but people were blinded by their love for TSO that they simply dismissed his clear tactical flaws as a result of the poisonous madrid dressing room.

Majority of madrid fans were showing growing concerns and displeasure over average-poor performances and the team's inability to control games as they relied on counter attacking tactics which while it favored the pace of Ronaldo (their best player) is seen as a sign of inferiority. (does their outcry sound familiar or not)

Here's a thought, perhaps TSO isn't so special anymore and he's lost that mojo. dare I said it.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

One major factor that has been brushed under the carpet is Jose's terrible defensive record at real madrid. here's just data from games last season alone.

Tue 06/11/12 UCL Real Madrid 2 - 2 Borussia Dortmund View events Sat 08/12/12 PRD Real Valladolid 2 - 3 Real Madrid View events Sun 16/12/12 PRD Real Madrid 2 - 2 Espanyol View events More info Sat 22/12/12 PRD Málaga 3 - 2 Real Madrid View events More info Sun 06/01/13 PRD Real Madrid 4 - 3 Real Sociedad View events More info

Tue 09/04/13 UCL Galatasaray 3 - 2 Real Madrid View events More info Wed 24/04/13 UCL Borussia Dortmund 4 - 1

Sat 04/05/13 PRD Real Madrid 4 - 3 Real Valladolid View events More info Wed 08/05/13 PRD Real Madrid 6 - 2 Málaga View events More info More info More info Sun 26/05/13 PRD Real Sociedad 3 - 3 Real Madrid View events More info Sat 01/06/13 PRD Real Madrid 4 - 2 Osasuna View events More info Wed 24/07/13 CLF Olympique Lyonnais 2 - 2 Real Madrid More info More info

he had Ronaldo,who consistently bailed them out, to thank last season.

so his poor defensive record this season isn't anything new but people were blinded by their love for TSO that they simply dismissed his clear tactical flaws asa result of the poisonous madrid dressing room.

Here's a thought, perhaps TSO isn't so special anymore and he's lost that mojo. dare I said it.

yes he isn't. we need a better manager to save us from this crisis.

[Barbara 15,149]

I don't know if the club has the philosophy it does because of the fans or if the fans react like this because of the philosophy the club has...

No patience whatsoever, everything is solved with money, no immediate success = permanent failure, no trust in the manager to actually give him time to work, money, money, money, money. All we see around this forum is about money. If Roman leaves will half of the fans that post here too?

If the players don't turn up, money is the key, buy new ones. If the manager doesn't give you immediate success, money is the key, hire a new one. What if the support is crap? Can we buy new ones too?

There's a lot of good things said in criticizing and defending posts, I'm not generalizing all of you and your ideas, but it's just so weird to have everything revolving about money. I do agree we have pivot and striker issues that should have been addressed better, I do agree another CB squad member wouldn't hurt us. And I do agree Mourinho and the board could have done better in the transfer window... but teams in the league, around the world, work around deficiencies and we should do the same. I don't know if I should blame this FM game instead (never played, don't know how it works, but many posts here talking about it gives me the idea). All teams have problems, but when things are working, those problems are sort of covered. I'll once again talk about October. I don't know what happened ever since then, and I do hold Mourinho accountable for part of the problem. It's his players!!! If they don't do what he expects them to do, it's part of his job to find a way to fix it.

@The only place to be and others defend we use more youth - but young players are unstable and if people are treating Lamps so disrespectfully I can only imagine what they (not the ones defending it) would say about Chalobah, Ake, or whoever (in addition about Mourinho) when one of them makes a capital mistake that leads to a defeat or a draw. They'll be burned alive even more vehemently which is why I'm thankful they're in the youth. They don't need to be exposed to this...

Others believe we need to offload ALL experienced players (bar JT, I don't remember reading his name among the many lists I've come across since yesterday). Then who will provide the much needed experience to them? Who will lead them? Juan Mata, who can't be shier about leadership? Other shy kids like Oscar? Or quiet blokes like Willian? There needs to be some balance, this isn't a game you play on playstation... Mourinho has started sparing Lampard more often, but issue remains he had a plan: to have Marco learn from Lamps, and I'm sure he'd rotate them and have Mikel only for certain kind of matches. The kid got a season long injury...

I do think he's made a mistake with the strikers. I'm not even saying he should have kept Lukaku (it's a plan though), but we should have got someone else. Eto'o really can't help. I was willing to give him a chance, but he blew said chance. Or we should have gotten someone else.

But now, the shit is done, the players we have at least until January (and there's a chance we won't get any fix in the winter window) and we have to suck it up and try to support the team through the thin and thick. Yes, we should vent about things when they don't go well, but I feel a bit of overreaction, defending Mourinho and some players, as well as dismissing Mourinho and many players. I do think the generation that got to play so much FM gets a bit carried away about having a perfect team. Newsflash, that only exists in your console.

Way before the season started I said I didn't expect titles (or at least major ones), before we touched the ball in the first pre-season game, I said we'd be transitioning based on Mourinho's first press conference and also in the overall situation. I haven't changed my stand, obviously, but I won't deny I expected things to be better. Again, I don't get why we stopped the progress and regressed. We started shaky and unsure in August, Mourinho approached ManU and Spurs game way too cautiously, but around October the team had progressed compared to August, then November happened and we had some bad results... but December seems to be worse because of the defensive issues we didn't have until then. We keep missing a lot chances (I had to write the post-match report for Chelsea Brasil and we did create at least 3 clear chances of goal, 1 with Eto'o and two with Ba, we dominated the first minutes of extra time, we just didn't try hard enough, again the problem is attitude imo), our defense leaks more goals than relegation zone teams. Instead of progressing we're now regressing and I don't have a clue of why. I do know it's Mourinho's job to fix it, even if the problem is players not being interested, invested enough. They have to turn up and play with heart and clutch. And we need to get rid of all our strikers.

I may have offended some of you with the FM thing, but all those problems we do have don't justify this idea of building a perfect team because in real life said thing doesn't exist.

[lionsden 4,689]

yes he isn't. we need a better manager to save us from this crisis.

I presented facts which, predictably, you have failed to address as you obviously can't form any legit argument to defend his defensive record and performance for the past 18 months and counting.

And the claim that a once world class manager can lose their mojo isn't so outrageous at all as we have seen in the past. see Hiddink,Capello, Omar Hitzfield amongst others who simply couldn't replicate their earlier success and form into the latter stages of their career.