The Mourinho Thread

[Thor 2,745]

No he didn't! Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the tactics, they were completely different than anything we played recently and the vast majority of the times since Jose returned because we adapted to utd and changed our tactics accordingly.

For example, our usual defensive strategy, after the first phase of pressure, is to try to force the opposition out wide and not allow them into central areas. That is what Jose has tried to do since returning (as opposed to Benitez for instance who tried to 'funnel' the opposition play into central areas and outnumber them there). The exact opposite happened yesterday. We left them huge spaces centrally to deny them spaces on the wings which is half of what their attacks are all about. And it worked because even though there were massive spaces in the middle they just seemed like they didn't want to get in there and often moved the ball backwards instead.

Another example is that we man-marked Fellaini literally all over the pitch, not just in specific areas. We haven't done that often at all this season (last time was Willian on Toure IIRC and even that was not all over the pitch but in some areas until Matic double teams him). Again something we adapted according to utd's system.

I'm not saying that those are the best tactics in the world or that they were a tactical masterclass or something like that, or even that they were implemented perfectly because they clearly weren't, but they weren't by any means "the usual tactics". Obviously a lot of work and thinking went behind them during the week.

You mean the team that sat back the whole game figured out a little of what the other team was doing offensively?

Of course they did. The point is we play overly defensive, end of story. This "lack of form" isn't a true lack of form. It is a self inflicted one coming from passive and anxious play, that stems from the possibility of choking away the title. I can guarantee this "lack of form" will magically disappear as soon as we have the title locked up.

You can't sit here and in any way praise the defensive tactics as of recently. At the end of the day, there may be some ambiguity about the specifics of how we defended, in terms of funnelling or sending them to the wings, but we've been far too defensive lately, and it is making the team play worse, not better.

If we played our normal style, we'd be playing Barcelona right now, and we would have thumped this United side 4-2 or 5-2.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I watch Chelsea play almost every game. I miss maybe 2-3 games per season at most, and considering we play upwards of 55 games per season that is a lot of football. So, why wouldn't I be obsessed by the way we perform?

We have had perhaps 2 decent performances in nearly five months of football. It seems some people genuinely don't give a shit about anything but wins and trophies and yet they want to portray themselves as some sort of super fan.

What's more important than wins and trophies in football? Isn't that the goals for everyone involved in this industry?

We are winning therefore at least we score in almost every game. What's the ultimate goal of 'attacking football'? Scoring goals. We get the job done in almost every occasions, so I don't get people who more concerned about the process rather than the results.

[Styles 9,790]

Speaking personally, I don't consider myself a super fan but and I do care about the football that's played. I have two issues however:

Although some will disagree, I am convinced that this squad is not good enough to win the league playing on the front foot. I've seen it happen time and time and time again that clubs arrive expecting a battering but become emboldened by the fact that our players keep passing to them. We survive this habit when our shape caters for it but we are horribly exposed when it does not. Our squad is better than it has been in the recent past but it is still not good enough.

I am seldom frustrated by how we play but I often am by how poorly we play. @Blue Coloured Sky won't have it, but the the only difference between our league performances at Man City this season and last, is that in 2013/14 we played well there, while this term we did not. The shape of the side was exactly the same. Atletico are much admired, including by me. They don't play front foot, they play what Jose is now calling strategically but with the difference that their passing is more sound than ours. This allows them to move forward with greater purpose and effect and also allows them time to recover their shape before possession is lost.

When Jose returned I felt we were 8 players short. We've made progress in that regard but there are still too many weak links. If we are still having to play like this three years from now, I will be as angry as some others are. For now however, I am calm and happy. Because we have Jose.

I agree to some extent. But the thing is we can do better than that. You say we don't have the players, but we have enough right now to do better than that; for example we have a quality footballer in Luis on the bench and he can't get a look in. Yesterday we had 30% possession and 71% passing accuracy. Those are dreadful numbers no matter how you look at it. And for Mourinho to say after the game he spent the entire week preparing to play this way and how happy he was the game panned out the way it did was depressing.

The first 30 mins was a complete and utter shambles. There is no way anyone can convince me that this is the way we should play.

Playing well (or better than that) and winning isn't mutually exclusive.

[Styles 9,790]

What's more important than wins and trophies in football? Isn't that the goals for everyone involved in this industry?

We are winning therefore at least we score in almost every game. What's the ultimate goal of 'attacking football'? Scoring goals. We get the job done in almost every occasions, so I don't get people who more concerned about the process rather than the results.

OK, so what's the point of watching entire games and dedicating so much of your time to something you don't actually care about? Why not just read the final result online or wherever and forget about watching the game?

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

OK, so what's the point of watching entire games and dedicating so much of your time to something you don't actually care about? Why not just read the final result online or wherever and forget about watching the game?

Attacking football is just a bonus. I'm more satisfied about how we could try every tactics and strategy to get the results. It is of course different in every occasions, sometimes we could play attacking football against inferior teams, but against certain teams, it is very understandable to have more defensive approach, playing counters to get the results.

This kind of strategy not only works in PL. When we won the CL in 2012, we are not playing the most beautiful football, but we could win it.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

2nd day, people still angry as Chelsea inch closer to the title.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9812705/jose-mourinho-praises-perfect-chelsea-after-manchester-united-win

“When you play in a strategic way you don’t care about the stats, it's about the points.

"We were very well prepared for them, we had a big heart, we fight and we were very focused on what we want,” he added.

“Football is about talent but strategy is very important as well.”

Mourinho’s men, who face second-placed Arsenal next weekend, moved one step closer to the title after victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea need just eight points from their last six matches or six form the next two games to wrap up the league but Mourinho insists his side, despite their advantage, are still fully focused on the job in hand.

He said: "The game was the game we wanted. The only thing we couldn't do was kill the game by scoring a second goal.

“We know they make the pitch big, they pass the ball very well. We decided to play in a certain way and the game was exactly what we wanted.

"We need our points. Today we wanted three points and our opponent lost three points, but we are focused on us"

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Totally agree. Out of the current squad, I think only Hazard will start over anybody ahead of the 2005 Chelsea squad. Perhaps over Duff, but im not even 100% sure.

Ivanovic would start over Ferreira, Azpilicueta would start over Gallas, Matic/Fabregas would start over Tiago, Hazard would start over Duff and Costa would start over the 2005 Drogba

[lucio 5,418]

OK, so what's the point of watching entire games and dedicating so much of your time to something you don't actually care about? Why not just read the final result online or wherever and forget about watching the game?

And if you care only about pure entertainment. Just watch the highlights or goal compilations. Works both ways.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

And if you care only about pure entertainment. Just watch the highlights or goal compilations. Works both ways.

This, I dont understand what people mean by just read the final score. That's such a weak weak argument. A well drilled tactically defensive performance is filled with more adrenaline fueled moments than a 90 minute classic on attacking football.

[ZOS 580]

A dominant team doesn't loose, period. We won yesterday because we were dominant. We'll be crowned champions because we're the alpha male of the league. Our dominance was witnessed yesterday in Zouma bullying Fellani and in Hazard putting it between De gea's leg's ... we can be better and we will be better.. but we're still the best in BPL

[mikeholiday 209]

Ivanovic would start over Ferreira, Azpilicueta would start over Gallas, Matic/Fabregas would start over Tiago, Hazard would start over Duff and Costa would start over the 2005 Drogba

Yeah on second thought agree that Hazard would be a regular during that era.

Agree with Iva over PF. Not sure about Azpi over Gallas, i think you can toss a coin for that.

I was thinking more of Lampard Makelele Essien as the CMs. Which i wouldnt touch TBH.

Agree to disagree about the CF. 2005 Drogba over Costa for me.

[mikeholiday 209]

Re-watching the game with calm nerves makes me more appreciative of the tactics. In a perfect world we want to be the champs and at the same time dominate the opponent with free flowing passes. But it all comes down to risk and reward. Chelsea went into the game with the objective of preventing Man U from getting the full 3 points, simple as that.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Yeah on second thought agree that Hazard would be a regular during that era.

Agree with Iva over PF. Not sure about Azpi over Gallas, i think you can toss a coin for that.

I was thinking more of Lampard Makelele Essien as the CMs. Which i wouldnt touch TBH.

Agree to disagree about the CF. 2005 Drogba over Costa for me.

if your talking about the 2004/05 team Essien wasnt at the club that season, and Costa is comfortably better then Drogba in 2005

[DYC. 7,542]

I'm not the type to tell people how they should feel, but complaining all the time doesn't help. It will not make Mourinho change his style, neither will it make him go away. It only makes you miserable. I didn't see the game, but judging by the reaction, I can imagine the game in my head because it's classic Mourinho. Mou does not care about football, he cares about results. As long as he's the winner at the end, that's all that matters. So as long as he is in charge, you can expect more of the same.

Leading the league by 10 points + capturing the League Cup is not exactly torture, so try to find some 'solace' in that.

[mikeholiday 209]

if your talking about the 2004/05 team Essien wasnt at the club that season, and Costa is comfortably better then Drogba in 2005

Was thinking about 2005/2006 when i said 2005. comparing jose's second season vs his 'second' second season

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

And if you care only about pure entertainment. Just watch the highlights or goal compilations. Works both ways.

It's true but no one here is caring only about pure entertainment. There was no even one person suggesting such thing.

However a lot of people claim in a blatant way that they only care about result and being good Teletext team is the ultimate goal.

[Polo7 3,496]

Damn having a Mourinho thread and a Moaning thread is a terrible idea. I keep forgetting which one im in.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Damn having a Mourinho thread and a Moaning thread is a terrible idea. I keep forgetting which one im in.

Actually you are in the real Moaning thread here.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

And for Mourinho to say after the game he spent the entire week preparing to play this way and how happy he was the game panned out the way it did was depressing.

This is gold. And how every player was a monster even though they couldn't play 3 consecutive passes.

Speaking personally, I don't consider myself a super fan but and I do care about the football that's played. I have two issues however:

Although some will disagree, I am convinced that this squad is not good enough to win the league playing on the front foot. I've seen it happen time and time and time again that clubs arrive expecting a battering but become emboldened by the fact that our players keep passing to them. We survive this habit when our shape caters for it but we are horribly exposed when it does not. Our squad is better than it has been in the recent past but it is still not good enough.

I am seldom frustrated by how we play but I often am by how poorly we play. @Blue Coloured Sky won't have it, but the the only difference between our league performances at Man City this season and last, is that in 2013/14 we played well there, while this term we did not. The shape of the side was exactly the same. Atletico are much admired, including by me. They don't play front foot, they play what Jose is now calling strategically but with the difference that their passing is more sound than ours. This allows them to move forward with greater purpose and effect and also allows them time to recover their shape before possession is lost.

When Jose returned I felt we were 8 players short. We've made progress in that regard but there are still too many weak links. If we are still having to play like this three years from now, I will be as angry as some others are. For now however, I am calm and happy. Because we have Jose.

I won't agree with it. But I clearly understand what you mean. You're very consistent with your opinion.

Even Jose with the interview with Chelsea TV last season said that he thinks that every manager has the right ideas and good intentions however it's the execution which decides. If the execution is not possible then you have try something different however I am sure that execution is possible and repeating last game against City is possible.

But I leave it now, because we clearly represent different schools here.

Ultimately we want the same and that's relieving. I'd only want to point to the fact that the next season is the real first season of building. The 2 seasons now are quick fixing, very probably to even have an opportunity of building in that 3rd season and not to lose the job before that, which I imagine would happen if he wouldn't deliver.

However you always want to check the work in progress. And so far I don't see that many has changed. We're still thriving in retrieving to our box and wait for set piece or bit of magic from one player. We aren't showing a progress in pressing abilities either, which is fundamental. About youth you don't even want to say anything. And we still play the football that 99,9% of people identifies us from and so many of them hate us (and I hate this too, because how long can you play like an inferior team in submission way).

If I would want only and only quick trophies, make no mistake, I'd give Jose the time without even checking and worrying about this at all. However Jose has clear end result to achieve which is not just winning but playing dominant, with our youth players and having clear identity. And then you see the comment at the top of my post and you think "how this guy wants to play dominant and with youths when he says that he even prepared the team to play in exact unwatchable way and he's so happy about players who couldn't pass ?". That's simply big red alert for me going forward. You just hope that something is going to change big time in his mind not to always come back to this style, which is so natural for him.

I trust Jose to get the things right at the end and sort this something-which-you-can't-call-playing-football out however the signs so far are not positive for his long term project.

I only touch this thing because as I was saying many times previously the quick fixes he has implemented are good and it works but I hope he doesn't come back to this ever in a couple of years. I sincerely hope that he won't have to when he builds the platform but I'm not too sure that you can change 50 something years old, thriving in the underdog mentality for years.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

The supporters were fantastic yesterday at the Bridge. That was the best atmosphere of the season, every tackle and every block was cheered for, it inspired the players throughout.