The Mourinho Thread

[ballackstothat 43]

Real last year on their way to the CL final had 28% possession at home against Bayern Munich, and won 1-0. They had 31% in the away draw against them, and won 4-0. So they were defensive when they needed to be.

I was one that criticized the performance, but only after they went down to 10 men. Although, those saying that prior to the sending off that it was like last seasons draw against Man City are wrong too. We needed more going forward even with 11 vs 11. We only had 5 or 6 shots all game. Last year in both games we were in double digits, and I believe in one game, it was even 18 shots on goal.

what fucking draw against man city last year we beat them home and away, some people on here,claim to experts and don't even know our own results.

billybullshitter alert!

[Chelsea? 892]

I don't think we can be successful in the CL playing this defensive. I think the strength in this team is attacking.

I can see us going for 0-0 draws away and and trying to win it at home.

But mourinho has won it twice with lesser sqauds so Idk.

[Thor 2,832]

what fucking draw against man city last year we beat them home and away, some people on here,claim to experts and don't even know our own results.

billybullshitter alert!

Draw, as in fixture, or game played...

I won't bother replying to you anymore with the way you type and respond. Enjoy your time here.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Sorted our defence, and we can beat anyone. Our defence will getting better along the time.

[ballackstothat 43]

Draw, as in fixture, or game played...

I won't bother replying to you anymore with the way you type and respond. Enjoy your time here.

yeah right. try watching some matches instead of slagging the team off.

[Joker10 946]

'Park The Bus' is such an abusive and overused term these days, till the point people can't even differentiate that and the approach of 'defend and counter'/'counter'.

The way we played against City was clear cut parking the bus. You don't agree?

Watch Alti vs Barca games from last season, great example of great defending and countering. It was impressive how they disrubted Barca passing. Barca couldn't string any meaningful passes in the final third, due to Alti aggressive pressing and good organization.

Here is the Full Match if intrested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLjZkUvSjaw

[Jase 43,479]

The way we played against City was clear cut parking the bus. You don't agree?

Watch Alti vs Barca games from last season, great example of great defending and countering. It was impressive how they disrubted Barca passing. Barca couldn't string any meaningful passes in the final third, due to Alti aggressive pressing and good organization.

I don't think we parked the bus against City at all. We tried to defend and play on the counter, like we always do in these big away matches but the problem was, whenever we did get forward, we had players misplacing easy passes and making wrong decisions. As a result of that, City kept coming back at us and made us looked as if we were just putting 10 men behind the ball. What we did last Sunday was not much of a difference to our performance in the corresponding fixture last season. On both occasions, we usually only had like 5 players getting forward break and we had more success then because of the large amount of space available to be exploited in that City setup.

A clear example of park of the bus would be what West Ham did to us last season at the Bridge; put 10 or 11 men behind the ball with no intention whatsoever of getting a goal or just to attack. Or in another case, Mourinho's Inter versus Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the 2009/10 UCL semi-final second leg. Yes, they were down to 10 men then but had no intention of going forward and were concentrating remaining tight and compact defensively, covering every single space, gap to make sure the opponent doesn't have a chance to exploit it.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I don't think we parked the bus against City at all. We tried to defend and play on the counter, like we always do in these big away matches but the problem was, whenever we did get forward, we had players misplacing easy passes and making wrong decisions. As a result of that, City kept coming back at us and made us looked as if we were just putting 10 men behind the ball. What we did last Sunday was not much of a difference to our performance in the corresponding fixture last season. On both occasions, we usually only had like 5 players getting forward break and we had more success then because of the large amount of space available to be exploited in that City setup.

A clear example of park of the bus would be what West Ham did to us last season at the Bridge; put 10 or 11 men behind the ball with no intention whatsoever of getting a goal or just to attack. Or in another case, Mourinho's Inter versus Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the 2009/10 UCL semi-final second leg. Yes, they were down to 10 men then but had no intention of going forward and were concentrating remaining tight and compact defensively, covering every single space, gap to make sure the opponent doesn't have a chance to exploit it.

People on this forum think that when a team good in possession attack, we should defend with only 5 players so that it doesn't look like we park the bus.

The main two differences between that match and last season was

1. our attackers were so poor in passing (willian) so we couldn't build. Mourinho isn't going to teach willian/ramires how to lay simple 5yard passes.

2. mike dean allowed mancity to foul us on the counter without punishing them. Silva, fernadinho, yayatoure, Kompany could have all had two yellow cards if another referee was there. Any foul that stops a clear counter should be a yellow, Willian that was fouled 7times suffered this and was sent off for 2 fouls committed against astonvilla last season

[Joker10 946]

I don't think we parked the bus against City at all. We tried to defend and play on the counter, like we always do in these big away matches but the problem was, whenever we did get forward, we had players misplacing easy passes and making wrong decisions. As a result of that, City kept coming back at us and made us looked as if we were just putting 10 men behind the ball. What we did last Sunday was not much of a difference to our performance in the corresponding fixture last season. On both occasions, we usually only had like 5 players getting forward break and we had more success then because of the large amount of space available to be exploited in that City setup.

A clear example of park of the bus would be what West Ham did to us last season at the Bridge; put 10 or 11 men behind the ball with no intention whatsoever of getting a goal or just to attack. Or in another case, Mourinho's Inter versus Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the 2009/10 UCL semi-final second leg. Yes, they were down to 10 men then but had no intention of going forward and were concentrating remaining tight and compact defensively, covering every single space, gap to make sure the opponent doesn't have a chance to exploit it.

It definitely looked like that against City to me. We had 0 shots on goal in the first half, it definitely looked like we were going for a 0-0 draw. We had 10-11 men behind the ball and showed no urgency to win back the ball.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

We parked the bus, plane, submarine whatever you want to call it. Quite frankly, the way we played was embarrassing, like Pellegrini said, it was like Stoke. They even showed more ambition than us when they won at the Etihad. I wouldn't admit it on a "public" forum, only on a Chelsea one. The quality of our play or lack thereof was a joke and it was difficult/painful to watch. If I wasn't a Chelsea fan, I'll have been laughing at the team in royal blue on Sunday.

[Tomo 21,754]

We parked the bus, plane, submarine whatever you want to call it. Quite frankly, the way we played was embarrassing, like Pellegrini said, it was like Stoke. They even showed more ambition than us when they won at the Etihad. I wouldn't admit it on a "public" forum, only on a Chelsea one. The quality of our play or lack thereof was a joke and it was difficult/painful to watch. If I wasn't a Chelsea fan, I'll have been laughing at the team in royal blue on Sunday.

So you did a lot of laughing at Fergie when he went to The Ethiad in 10/11 and 11/12?

[Jase 43,479]

It definitely looked like that against City to me. We had 0 shots on goal in the first half, it definitely looked like we were going for a 0-0 draw. We had 10-11 men behind the ball and showed no urgency to win back the ball.

That's your opinion then but you can't conclusively say we parked the bus just because we had 0 shots on goal in the first half and that we showed no urgency to win back the ball. There are other factors that may have made us looked like we park the bus when we don't. Considering we have almost been a shambles with our pressing this season, it's understandable why Mourinho didn't instruct the players to press and try to win the ball back immediately, but rather stay compact and discipline and wait for the precise moment to pounce.

[Tomo 21,754]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,128]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

I like most of what you say here but I would put just a little more emphasis on the idea that playing defensively does not mean you are not playing to win. I know many disagree but I believe it is perfectly legitimate to set out to win on the counter. Had the players been able to pass the ball a little better at The Ethiad the plan would have worked and we'd have beaten them again. As it was we nearly won anyway despite playing badly in possession. This suggests to me that it was a pretty good game plan.

BTW, just in case you aren't aware, it's 'gung ho'.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

We parked the bus, plane, submarine whatever you want to call it. Quite frankly, the way we played was embarrassing, like Pellegrini said, it was like Stoke. They even showed more ambition than us when they won at the Etihad. I wouldn't admit it on a "public" forum, only on a Chelsea one. The quality of our play or lack thereof was a joke and it was difficult/painful to watch. If I wasn't a Chelsea fan, I'll have been laughing at the team in royal blue on Sunday.

I still laughing at Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and MU every week. And their fans still thinking they are on the same level with Bayern or something..

So, yes, f*** everything other fans said. We are happy with the point(s) we got from those matches in the end.

[Jase 43,479]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

Hit the nail on the head there mate.

One thing I'm proud of this team is that we are tactically flexible and adaptable. If you want us to play on the offensive, we can do that. If you want us to play on the break, we can also do that. It's like what Gary Neville alluded to the other day, we see who is our next opponent and adjust our approach to it, we pay respect to the opposition. If you just want to have a team who plays the same way home or away, big games or not big games, then those Red lots in North London and Merseyside will provide the entertainment. Our versatility in this has been one of the reasons why we have been able to win so many trophies down the years, more so than those said teams.

[Joker10 946]

We tried to play the same way against City this season that we did last season, try and win but also be mindful that a draw away to a title rival isn't the end of the world, let's remember we have established a 5 point lead against them and after this game we have two home games and they have two away, why on earth would we risk it? If we get the job done against Villa and Le Arse and City cock up one of their away games we are 7/8 points ahead if them, I know it's early but when Mou establishes a lead he rarely let's it slip.

Now the difference between this season and last at The Ethiad is the quality of the counter attacks, this time all our midfielders kept making the wrong decisions (even Hazard had a rare day in that regard) where as last season we were getting things spot on, Citys persistent fouling must be considered too. Even then if Costa stretched an inch further and his shot was a little to the left we would be talking about a Mourinho masterclass and admiring at Diego's 9 goals in 5 games tally, small margins hey?

Now in the home games against big teams we win and deliver some good football, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Away against a title rival isn't about style, if we went defensive at home I can understand some groans but away from home against big teams is a million percent about results, I genuinely don't care if we win 1-0 at Emirates, Anfield, Old Trafford and score with our only attempts at goal, I really really don't, we can save the fancy flicks and sexy football for when Burnley and QPR come to town, big games is about 3 points (or at worst 1 if away) and gaining/escaping ground on rivals.

If you want gun hoe attacking football in big games, there's manager's in Merseyside and North London who will give you unlimited helpings, we however get results first and foremost, if it comes with sexy football (Liverpool at home) that's a bonus, but the points well and truly come first.

Rant over.

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

The thing is our strategy are results oriented. Whatever the strategy needed as long as we get some points doesn't matter imo. Whether we put 6 defender as starter, play Ivan as a striker, Costa as a CB, whatever necessary to achieve our target should be no problem.

You basically said that we shouldn't playing like that because we are currently top of the league? Am I missing some rules here that can or can't be done as a league leader? For whom we should play attractive football for? Neutral fans? Media?

No, we will still playing the same strategy like that regardless our position, whether we are 15th, 3rd or 1st.

[ballackstothat 43]

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

park the bus, park the bus. dipper alert. straight out of the sun school of football terminology.

[zolayes 14,489]

There seems to be a disconnect between those who are criticizing Mou tactics against City and those defending him. Most of us are not criticizing the result, a draw is indeed not a bad result and it is a good result imo. Secondly i will speak for my self i am not criticizing Mou for not being ultra attacking ie as you put it "the manager from Merseyside or North London."

The problem with Mou tactics it was cautious and scared against City. We gave City vast amount of space and defended with 10 and 11 men all games. It was disappointing for the team leading the table play such an ultra conservative game and park the bus. If you tell me we are going to play a conservative game, but we are going to be aggressive, tenacious, and not give the opposition an inch then i am fine with that. Because defending imo is fun when the whole team acts as a single unit and play like a bunch of aggressive hounds, and able to throw the other team off rhythm. That is admirable football, that is why Simeone's Atletico and Klopp Dortmund are admired by the majority of football fans. Not to say neither hasn't parked the bus, because they have at times. ex CL final after Luis got carted away Alti withdrew their pressure on Madrid, and consequently they payed the price.

There is a place and time for everything i certainly can appreciate park the bus tactics ex: When we faced Barca in our CL run, we faced great odds and we did whatever it took to advance. I also appreciated Greece in their Euro victory. There is not much to appreciate of park the bus tactics, if you are EPL table leader.

we were the leaders after FOUR games playing the current champions away . IT WAS a good point .