The Mourinho Thread

[The Chels 2,502]

It puts all of that into perspective, doesn't it? Wenger at the moment isn't even half the manager Simeone is. I don't think I've ever seen a team work as hard as Atletico do, they are absolute machines. Their performance at Stamford Bridge last season was also very good football wise, they played some of the best football I've seen in a long time. He's a brilliant manager.

We hadn't been played off the park like that at home under Jose for a long time. They've lost 3 of their best players to us but I'd still expect them to beat us tbh because their balance between attack and defence in the big games is almost perfect.

If Costa was fit to play then I would see why people moan about us not going for a second. We had Drogba up top who is far from his best and Shurrle who is no CF

That excuse works for this game but what about against City when he was fit and we were playing against 10 men? It's clearly Jose's tactic to sit back after 1-0 and as Gary Neville put it, that lack of killer instinct against the big teams is what may well stop us winning the CL.

[DYC. 7,542]

He won't get sacked unless we nosedive big style but I cba to get into that argument again.

Furthermore I wouldn't want Ancelotti back, im grateful for the double but the second season was beyond horrendous.

I'm quite enjoying his Real side. 13/14 was of course a great year. And they look strong again this season. A midfield consisting of Modric, Kroos, James and Isco/Bale yet maintain balance, tactical discipline and getting everybody to work hard. Didn't think anyone would be able to pull it off.

Great team, an abundance of technical abiltity. Season is still long of course.

[Tomo 21,751]

10-11 was not his fault and we actually wasn't that far from winning the title with a shit team. That 2-1 loss at Old Trafford was the decider. I mean front 3 consisted of 30+ Drogba, Malouda and Anelka with the likes of Mikel in CM.

That's the thing that annoys me, a lot of people say Jose isnt untouchable and should get critic when nessecery (fair enough I agree) but so many times people don't want to give Carlo any responsibility for that season.

Ok circumstance wasn't in his favour but his decisions at times were laughable, that game vs Liverpool were Kenny Dalglish off all people bent him over tactically was painful. Naming lineups in press conference, surely such an experienced manager would know that gives the oppo an advantage, refusing to play a hungry on form Sturridge while Anelka was stinking Stamford Bridge out.

We clawed some results bacl in March and April due to our defence still being solid which allowed for some beyond turgid grinds out, but in reality we were never back in the race, even if we won at OT we would have had to have won at Goodison by a higher score than United beat Blackpool at home, was possible mathematically but in reality we lost the league in the winter.

[Tomo 21,751]

I'm quite enjoying his Real side. 13/14 was of course a great year. And they look strong again this season. A midfield consisting of Modric, Kroos, James and Isco/Bale yet maintain balance, tactical discipline and getting everybody to work hard. Didn't think anyone would be able to pull it off.

Great team, an abundance of technical abiltity. Season is still long of course.

Give Ancelotti a team in a great condition and he is brilliant, as we found with the double, it's when the wheels start coming off he gets found wanting, in my opinion.

[Styles 9,790]

We hadn't been played off the park like that at home under Jose for a long time. They've lost 3 of their best players to us but I'd still expect them to beat us tbh because their balance between attack and defence in the big games is almost perfect.

That excuse works for this game but what about against City when he was fit and we were playing against 10 men? It's clearly Jose's tactic to sit back after 1-0 and as Gary Neville put it, that lack of killer instinct against the big teams is what may well stop us winning the CL. For example if we'd gone at Atletico at 1-0 last year instead of sitting back who knows what would have happened?

It was an absolute clinic. I wasn't even disappointed after the game, I just hoped we'd reach that level someday. Mourinho obviously thought so too since we signed two of their players and recalled Courtois

[Polo7 3,496]

Mourinho played the same team, barring Costa, that did so well this season for 70 minutes. At that point it was either teams game. The only option he had to strengthen our midfild was Mikel (Ramires not ready?). Dont understand how this is negative? Oscar was shit today, so bringing Mikel on freed up Cesc. Unfortunately we didnt push on and score, the longer it stays at 1-0 the more United believed they could score. End of the day we were poor overall and didnt deserve more than a draw. West Ham beat City, the gap is 6. Bring on QPR.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Manchester United had ONE half-chance in the second half with the RVP shot from a very tight angle (was that even offside?). I'm sorry, but in my book, you can't blame the manager in such cases.

People on here sometimes make a lot of conclusions based on nothing more than assumptions. People talk as if it is a given that we would have scored a second goal had Oscar not come off. What makes you think that and not that United would have score two had Oscar not come off?

The massive spaces in the united defense were there from the beginning of the match and we could only score from a corner because of our bad decision making in the final third and slow transition.

[DYC. 7,542]

We hadn't been played off the park like that at home under Jose for a long time. They've lost 3 of their best players to us but I'd still expect them to beat us tbh because their balance between attack and defence in the big games is almost perfect.

Mehh.. They're not the same team they were last year. They overachieved last season. The likes of Juanfran, Gabi, Tiago, Garcia reached a level they won't ever hit again and they've lost Luis, Courtois and Costa. And they hardly had any injuries last season.

Not saying they can't beat Chels but our boys are the better team. They're still a bitch to play against though.

[The Chels 2,502]

Mehh.. They're not the same team they were last year. They overachieved last season. The likes of Juanfran, Gabi, Tiago, Garcia reached a level they won't ever hit again and they've lost Luis, Courtois and Costa. And they hardly had any injuries last season.

Not saying they can't beat Chels but our boys are the better team. They're still a bitch to play against though.

Their starting 11 is worse but they have better squad depth now. Atletico's defence was a bit shaky at the start of the season but they've had 5 clean sheets in their last 6 games now and they're currently winning 1-0 away to Getafe which will leave them 2 points off the top. Personally I think they would beat us again because Simeone and their players would be so motivated after we took 3 of their players.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

We just can't keep closing our eyes on this stupid, unnecessary, too early mikel sub + on the bunker tactic from 60th minute.

Hahaha. I should put this in as a sig.

since you are so sure it was the wrong move what would you have done differently? Petr Cech?

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Manchester United had ONE half-chance in the second half with the RVP shot from a very tight angle (was that even offside?). I'm sorry, but in my book, you can't blame the manager in such cases.

People on here sometimes make a lot of conclusions based on nothing more than assumptions. People talk as if it is a given that we would have scored a second goal had Oscar not come off. What makes you think that and not that United would have score two had Oscar not come off?

The massive spaces in the united defense were there from the beginning of the match and we could only score from a corner because of our bad decision making in the final third and slow transition.

Oscar was awful today deserved taking off but I don't think he was taken off because of his brutal play, had more to do with the midfielders having bookings and with the game going as it was someone was bound to get sent off.

Jose made the right choice had it come off, the same people chastising him would be applauding him for his high tactical acumen. Hypocrites... when it works you love him, the rare chance it doesn't you criticize.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Hahaha. I should put this in as a sig.

since you are so sure it was the wrong move what would you have done differently? Petr Cech?

Drogba off- Schurrle on.

Willian off- Salah on.

Score the Second.

Then Bring Mikel.

OR

Put mikel on on the 75-80 minute- not 60.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Oscar was awful today deserved taking off but I don't think he was taken off because of his brutal play, had more to do with the midfielders having bookings and with the game going as it was someone was bound to get sent off.

Jose made the right choice had it come off, the same people chastising him would be applauding him for his high tactical acumen. Hypocrites... when it works you love him, the rare chance it doesn't you criticize.

Even more, had he not brought Mikel one and we went on to draw/lose the match a lot of people would be calling for his head for not closing the game down.

Although, personally, I think Cesc (who was also on a yellow) could have come off instead of Oscar who is obviously much better at chasing down players and pressing.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Drogba off- Schurrle on.

Willian off- Salah on.

Score the Second.

Then Bring Mikel.

OR

Put mikel on on the 75-80 minute- not 60.

Drogba off... Our best defensive forward off okay.

What all of you fail to understand is the circumstances that LED to the change. Oscar, Fab and Matic were on yellows. I bet most of you who say Mikel shouldn't have come on are the same people who said Willian should've come off against Aston Villa last year.

What a joke. We were tactical astute today, we lost two points on a bang bang play. bringing on misfiring Schurrle and Salah wouldn't have changed anything.

[Fernando 6,585]

Just like the team against Palace last season, today Mourinho lacked balls. It happens. Time to move on, but he should know despite the mistake by Dowd sending Iva off, this is on him. You don't sit back when you're building a momentum. You capitalize and go for the kill. Funny he talks about Willian and Hazard needing to learn about going for the kill if he himself doesn't go. Today was the 6th time Mikel was introduced in an EPL match for us. Coward approach that disappoints me.

All in all, one point isn't that bad, but there's a bad taste in my mouth, about the two points lost and the approach Mourinho took when he brought Mikel (who was awful btw).

I expected more from Mou.

I think the mistake Mourinho is making is that he thinks this Chelsea is the same old Chelsea of a decade back.

That Chelsea defending a 1 to 0 game was easy.

This Chelsea it's hard.

In fact it happened many times last season when we was winning and conceded late goals.

This time we haven't need to do that because we been more attacking except for three games.

Schalke, City and United. And we all draw these 3

Mourinho said that this Chelsea has to have the ball more then the last Chelsea because of the players he has in Fabregas, Oscar and Hazard.

So I find it weird that he goes with defensive tactics when we need to have the ball......