The Mourinho Thread

[Special Juan 28,146]

I am nowhere near done supporting Jose. If there is a manager I want to get it right at Chelsea it's him. I just wish he was more progressive and had better ideas than what he has shown so far.

Maybe he/the club needs to hire an attacking coordinator to work underneath him?

Before we start hiring attacking coordinators lets get some strikers in that know where the net is.

[Reddish-Blue 2,512]

To be fair to Styles, he didn't want Mourinho in to begin with, I vividly remember that.

Personally I feel like today was more on the players, lacked passion or any effort in the final third in the second half - Mou tried to kill the tie off by bringing on a fraud "striker" but because we decided to stop our high press game in the second half (whether this was Mou's instructions or not I don't know, looked more like a lack of desire from the players) our whole game plan went out the window, and because there was a general lack of effort around the whole team we conceded two very bizarre and sloppy goals.

The only thing I like about the result is that we now have to go at them at The Bridge, which we should've done in the second half but there's nothing to lose now.

There is nothing to like about the result. PSG can now play with freedom in the second leg due to their two-goal cushion

The lack of squad depth is concerning, particularly in midfield where Ramires and Oscar have been well below par in recent games as well as the fact that Matic is unavailable for UCL

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

FFP ultimately benefits us so it makes sense for us to stick to the rules and we've done that quite effectively. Last night we came up against a team who have decided to not bother and it probably showed on the pitch, but I support the club trying to follow these rules and that means you have to take time to build a squad.

The problems aren't Mourinho's though. Torres costs us about £15 million per year on the books yet contributes next to nothing on the pitch. That mistake in 2011 has hamstrung us EVERY season since and is probably one of the worst transfers of all time based on that. Despite that he's been the first manager for about 5 years to actually address the issue of the midfield with the signing of Matic. That showed just how much one player in one area of the pitch can radically redefine the way you play football. Next he has to do the same with the striker.

This summer is all about stripping away the deadwood (Torres, Luiz, Mikel, Ba, Marin, Cole, Kakuta etc.) and allowing Jose to build the squad he wants. Until then we're putting a car out on the track with half it's wheels missing.

I just want to know, but did his arrival contribute significantly (financial wise) as far as sales and ads are concerned? We don't get that kind of info here. But I know that amongst the regular spectators here, people weren't thrilled about him but always showed some support.

[Fernando 6,585]

I'm glad he realized the mistake he made in the summer in keeping Torres and company.

It sucks that we might not win anything but it has been a season that has shown a lot of improvement and promises.

It's great to have some stability and address the concerns of our team.

[Jase 43,479]

I'm glad he realized the mistake he made in the summer in keeping Torres and company.

It sucks that we might not win anything but it has been a season that has shown a lot of improvement and promises.

It's great to have some stability and address the concerns of our team.

Easy to say he made a mistake in keeping Torres and other STs when nobody out there wants and/or can afford him. The summer pursuit of Rooney then should already tell us he wasn't convinced by the STs overall.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I am nowhere near done supporting Jose. If there is a manager I want to get it right at Chelsea it's him. I just wish he was more progressive and had better ideas than what he has shown so far.

Maybe he/the club needs to hire an attacking coordinator to work underneath him?

I think he'd take that as an insult and would rather he just had a striker. Not sure what an attacking co-ordinator could do with Torres.

I just want to know, but did his arrival contribute significantly (financial wise) as far as sales and ads are concerned? We don't get that kind of info here. But I know that amongst the regular spectators here, people weren't thrilled about him but always showed some support.

Hard to say because we've been growing year on year in terms of revenue from commercial activities, and that coincided with the CL success. But Torres does still seem to sell a lot of t-shirts (I have no idea how) and still seems to get pushed to the forefront of any marketing stuff.

The support for him is a combination of desperation and pity. £100 million investments get a lot more leeway than others, whilst a lot of people simply feel sorry for him. But he needs to leave now, for his own good. Jose is making it very clear that he can't trust him and I think this is about as close as you're going to get to him being forced out.

[Fernando 6,585]

Easy to say he made a mistake in keeping Torres and other STs when nobody out there wants and/or can afford him. The summer pursuit of Rooney then should already tell us he wasn't convinced by the STs overall.

If teams where able to take that lump of Carroll them I'm sure we could have send Torres on a loan somewhere.

As well we was going to let ba go on loan but then stop it because it was going to make arsenal a title contender. It really showed how poor this situation was handled.

I think naivety and content played a big part in this from the club. Believing we can wing it with that lot.

[Jase 43,479]

If teams where able to take that lump of Carroll them I'm sure we could have send Torres on a loan somewhere.

As well we was going to let ba go on loan but then stop it because it was going to make arsenal a title contender. It really showed how poor this situation was handled.

I think naivety and content played a big part in this from the club. Believing we can wing it with that lot.

Comparing the Torres situation with Carroll is just nonsensical. At least with the latter, he is still a decent striker, has his uses, not completely washed up and doesn't command a high fee/wages like Torres does. With Torres, teams would basically be taking risks because we can already see how useless he is (except for his annoying fanboys/girls!) and the fact he is on 175k p/w (which is just preposterous!) scares them off and probably make them think thrice before taking him!

[gr123 167]

Never mind Jose, a nice big chequebook is probably yours for the summer so you can sort the team out. Oh joy.

[Styles 9,790]

To be fair to Styles, he didn't want Mourinho in to begin with, I vividly remember that.

Personally I feel like today was more on the players, lacked passion or any effort in the final third in the second half - Mou tried to kill the tie off by bringing on a fraud "striker" but because we decided to stop our high press game in the second half (whether this was Mou's instructions or not I don't know, looked more like a lack of desire from the players) our whole game plan went out the window, and because there was a general lack of effort around the whole team we conceded two very bizarre and sloppy goals.

The only thing I like about the result is that we now have to go at them at The Bridge, which we should've done in the second half but there's nothing to lose now.

The players were tired. Pressing and counter-attacking at 200mph is not sustainable against a team who can keep the ball as well as PSG did.

[bushman 2,043]

Once again, money will solve it all?

Should Jose be blamed for a flaky defense? No, he should not.

Just one thing, I do not understand. Where has Oscar gone, half the team looks tired?

Are these players overworked?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I feel really bad for him. I watched him trying to answer questions after the match about strikers and Schurrle and he looked close to tears! That Eto'o injury really hurt us.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

I feel really bad for him. I watched him trying to answer questions after the match about strikers and Schurrle and he looked close to tears! That Eto'o injury really hurt us.

Any news if he will be ready for the 2nd leg?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Any news if he will be ready for the 2nd leg?

No idea. Physioroom doesn't even have him down as injured. Got to wait for Jose's PC tomorrow.

[bushman 2,043]

No idea. Physioroom doesn't even have him down as injured. Got to wait for Jose's PC tomorrow.

Do you honestly think, Samuel is the only problem on this team?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Do you honestly think, Samuel is the only problem on this team?

No, but he covers over a lot of the cracks in our attack.

[bushman 2,043]

No, but he covers over a lot of the cracks in our attack.

If he were to play, last night, do you think the result could have been any better?

I believe, this team has many other problems than just striker´s position.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

If he were to play, last night, do you think the result could have been any better?

I believe, this team has many other problems than just striker´s position.

Well, I think there is a good chance that it would have been more in our favor

[bushman 2,043]

Well, I think there is a good chance that it would have been more in our favor

All these ifs & buts, do not cut it with me, sorry.

I assume, you have been watching football for a number of years. So, let me ask you a simple question.

If Jose continuously mock the strikers, Samuel included, perhaps in Torres & BA case it is justified, then how can these players perform better? If I were to say, you are no good for nothing, would you play for me? Chances for the PL were thrown out by Jose, in recent times. Last night, he experimented with Shurrle, brings Frank about, how about Mikel, instead? The game was tied at one apiece then. I, certainly, do not want sound like I only blame Jose here, but sometimes I questioned his decisions & last night was not one his better games, I feel.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

All these ifs & buts, do not cut it with me, sorry.

I assume, you have been watching football for a number of years. So, let me ask you a simple question.

If Jose continuously mock the strikers, Samuel included, perhaps in Torres & BA case it is justified, then how can these players perform better? If I were to say, you are no good for nothing, would you play for me? Chances for the PL were thrown out by Jose, in recent times. Last night, he experimented with Shurrle, brings Frank about, how about Mikel, instead? The game was tied at one apiece then. I, certainly, do not want sound like I only blame Jose here, but sometimes I questioned his decisions & last night was not one his better games, I feel.

Ok take it is easy I am only using "ifs and buts" because there is now way you or I would know cause it didn't happen. It is all based on assumptions, right buddy?

As many people have said, Eto links up well with Hazard. Recently " Skipper" was saying this and I totally agree. He links up with our AMs better than Torres and Ba. That for sure could have helped us last night in my opinion. Shcurrle did a decent job upfront as far as pressing their defense, and constantly running and dragging a defender with him to create for others to exploit. However offensively he did not pose any threat. A good striker does what Schurrle did last night AND threatens the opponents goal. Terros failed in both of these areas last night. Eto is in better form. I don't think something magical could have happened as far as offensive display is concerned, but definitely could have helped us.

With regards of how Mourinho criticizes his strikers, I am quiet sure that it is an aggressive attitude. Would I accept it? No, but I am not a professional player. As a professional I should be doing my job. I take money to do that. Part of the job description is to score. I know, all strikers face a dry spell and that is 100% correct. But that is no excuse for not performing your other tasks on the field. It has nothing to do with making runs, creating space, posing threat, LINKING UP WITH YOUR TEAMMATES and other things you are suppose to do. They should be men enough, and have the character to acknowledge their short comings and try to rectify them. I now Eto tried. Not just because he scored and gave that old man celebration after Mourinho's conversation was leaked, but he just stepped up as far as doing his job is concerned only to be stopped by his injury. I don't know what is wrong with Torres or Ba, but I'd love to see some character from them other than complaining about it or using it as an excuse. And it is not like Mourinho keeps criticizing them only. He criticizes our midfielders who get chances and don't score. I don't see them complaining. I see them trying. It is all about the mentality man, how you approach it. Eto has that fighting spirit, but he is just getting old, same as Lampard, and Terry. But not Torress or Ba. No fighting spirit at all. Not trying to make things happen, but waiting for things to happen. Having Schurrle up front doing half a striker's duty is better than having a striker who does nothing.

Look man maybe I don't have much of an experience as a football player. I only played at high school level and the streets of Kuwait, amateur Latino league for three years during summer time when was in the U.S.A and at the NCAA level during fall time. But that was enough for me to know that when my coach would yell at me, it is not because he hates me, it is only because there is something I am not doing or I am doing wrong and I have to fix it. It is never personal and it just meant that I had to keep on digging on my craft. If I, as a no body, an amateur or whatever you wanna call my brief, experience can understand that, a professional player who has been playing for an academy, big clubs, big leagues and WC winner should understand that too. I can't blame this one on Mourinho. Maybe I can critic some of the other substitutions, but not starting Schurrle or criticizing the strikers