The Mourinho Thread

[xPetrCechx 13,598]

The champions are reeling after a dismal start to the season but José Mourinho did not get where he is by crumpling at the first hint of trouble

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/aug/17/chelsea-losses-stack-up-jose-mourinho

Pretty much what I believe.

We are still good, will recover and win it.

City don't scare me right now despite beating us. Getting KDB might level the playing field for them and give us a better challenge, but even then I still think we are good enough to win it again.

So not really worried.

I like your optimism...

[Parky 739]

Hopefully if the speculation is true Roman has given is blessing for 3 signings.

We need a quality CM to play alongside Matic maybe Koke or Witsel. A left footed Winger/AM maybe Griezmann or Reus. Also Stones as mentioned as he will give us cover at both CB and RB.

[CMS 382]

I actually didn't see anything complicated in how mancity attack. They used wingplay like manutd during Ferguson time wherever evra and Nani on the left, while Rafael and valencia on the right combine... And everyone praised them as a very attractive attacking team.

If Mourinho drops his son ivanovic, we can play baba on the left for crosses like kolarov showed us how to do. While Azpilicueta and Willian combine on the right.

The way we played against City reminded me of what we did against PSG, trying to force our way through the middle which is obviously congested and making us play so slow instead of combining on the wings where there is space and crossing to costa.

Hopefully we stop suffering ourselves in terms of creating chances through the congested middle and play through the wings, that's what fullbacks are there for.

I totally agree with you on ManCity attack. They play very narrow, none of their short dudes in their attack, is above 5' 8". They (Sterling, Aguero, Silva and Navas) can sustain attacking from outsides, they will get muscled off the ball easily by good strong defenders, with the exception of big slower defenders. Their strengths will be to use good quick movements and agility to create spaces centrally and let the likes of Fernando and Yaya pick the opposing teams apart with neat penetrating passes without pressure. Jon Shelvy (sp) was used in the same mold against us. They stole the Barca playbook. Bilbao however exposed Barca this weekend by applying high pressure on the ball up-field, just like Athletico Madrid does against them.

What we missed were the pressures from Oscar on those key deep lying play-makers. (This tactic was effectively used in the first half of last season) If you recollect, one of the City goals was scored, when JT left his position to pick up the midfield player above the box. Hazard was the culprit. He was 4-5 yards from the guy, but was not pressuring, leaving JT to step 12-15 yards up. This created a hole for Aguero work in, thereby isolating him with Cahill one on one, the result being the first goal. Difference in last season, was Hazard stepping up to defend also. The pressures from Costa, Oscar, Hazard and Willian, distrupted most team attacks from the back (their defense)

Now none of our mid-fielders are up to tasks, because they are not in shape or fit. Mainly (Hazard, Willian, Fabregas,) leaving us with Matic to cover from one end of the field to the other. Teams know this and set traps for us all over the field. Overloading on the right flank or left flank, so Matic overcompensates by moving over, to the sides, leaving a big gaping hole in the middle, and no cover for the defensive four especially if Ivan is distracted by a flat out wide attacker, Aspi on the other end and one of the CDs slides over to help the outside backs on the flanks. What we have left is Cahill, one on one with central attackers. Bafe in the Swansea game and Aguero for City. We need our mid-fielders to be in better (Match- Fit) shapes, then we will start functioning again. We are playing short 3 or 4 players in defense. because Costa is isolated up front.

There's nothing complex about City's game. They are overrated. There were some pluses in the game, as people also failed to see the plus points for Chelsea though. Sterling was rendered ineffective throughout the game. Yaya was not as dominant as his usual self. The only pluses for them were Silva, who was on top of his game and Aguero. Fernandinho was used as a thug and got away with murder. Sagna was used in the same mold too. If any Chelsea player had done half of the stuff he pulled, we would have news in the papers for another whole week. Coequlin (sp) of Arsenal did exactly the same, rough up our main attackers during the Cup also.

First half of last season, we applied the Barca small group attacks and were very successful in getting balls back up-field in advantageous positions. This led to quick attacks and goals or near goals. However, the deeper we defend, the more difficult it is to get into those positions. Most teams are now willing to sacrifice a yellow to foul our key players at all cost in the mid-field or our own half of the field. We are not getting help from the refs either. Costa needs to go back to his playing style and stop worrying about getting ticky-tack fouls like in La Liga and his aggressive nature is often used in non calls for him.

The crosses have been coming in against us, since the second half of last season. It's not new. We've been reliant on JT and Cahill to clear these crosses and have been lucky till recent. The new season offers a slight difference, because teams are now packing in goal poachers, in addition to the crosses. Their forwards distract and disrupt our two Cds, so there are less clearances and more opportunities to score for the opposing teams. Many people also fail to see the significance of Petr going to Arsenal.

Most of our weaknesses have been given away to Arsenal. They in turn exploited them in the cup final. It's akin to your wife leaving you for your business rival and you expect your secrets not to be exposed. Now other teams are exploiting those weaknesses. Roman is going to have pay a steep price by investing heavily in the transfer window to compensate. So a change in tactic is warranted. But it's hard to implement is a such a short spell. So we are now adjusting and playing high blocks. However, high blocks comes with a price. JT is 34, soon to be 35 in December.

However, high blocks comes with a price. JT has lost his speed of recovery years ago and AVB's tactics exposed him. AVB played high blocks also and we ended up losing to likes of Arsenal 6-3. Van P. Took advantage. RDM knew and parked the bus. Benitez was not so generous and axed JT. So if we play high block, which we will, more we will need speed on defense, so expect Zouma to play more. The low blocks were also as a result of our older defensive personnel. Flighted balls were a problem too for Petr also. He has been exposed at Arsenal with distant goals to his right side of recent. Now people will really see his weaknesses.

Any coach worth his onions knows that your personnel determines your tactic, unless you chose your players from the get go. But you have to be tenured to do so; like Sir Alex and Wenger. They've been there for donkey years. JM is no dummy. He knows what he is doing. This team will turn around. I actually think its a blessing that our shortfalls have been exposed early enough before the window closes. The title is ours to lose. People forget that Head to head, Pellegrini has only won one game and tied one, maybe two against Jose. Wenger has only won one game. As we say in the USA, both coaches are still his bit$hes.

[CMS 382]

Mou final product? Lol

People still thinking mou is a team builder, he is the ultimate short term manager. Look at his side at Madrid. Their fans had the same sinking feelings most are having here. Mou team progressively gets worse

Think about it what you are saying about baba, you do realize he had Luis last year. If mou had any long term vision he would have dropped Ivanovic long time ago and kept Luis. He doesn't if he did we wouldn't have any FB dilemma.

A few singings will help this team, like a band aid that usually does but there is a bigger problem.

Each person to his own thinking. Football is not mathematics. Tactics is the name of the game, you either know it or you don't. I get it, because its a second nature to me, but you on the hand are welcome to your emotions and feelings. I wish there were ways to make people eat up their own words. We shall see.

[CMS 382]

This reply makes no sense whatsoever...Gotze WAS a defining player up until the moment he left, Mata was not being played at all and was losing his value...

You don't seem to get it. He was a defining player for BD, but is he a defining player for Bayern? The answer is No. Mata was defining for Chelsea too, unless you are trying to be mischievous. He played for Chelsea in an important defining role for about three to four different coaches, I think. He was our key player, until he became a surplus to requirement, just like Pedro now is for Barca. However, Mata in comparison is now becoming relevant again at Man U. What is Gotze doing now in comparison?

[Special Juan 28,864]

CMS- Use the 'Multi Quote' function if you don't mind, it stops rolling posts and you can condense all your replies into one post.

Cheers.

[CMS 382]

CMS- Use the 'Multi Quote' function if you don't mind, it stops rolling posts and you can condense all your replies into one post.

Cheers.

These are different conversations., I cannot reply to everyone in one post.

[Special Juan 28,864]

These are different conversations., I cannot reply to everyone in one post.

You can, you click Multi Quote' and do it that way.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,588]

I haven`t even been able to quote anybody all summer.now that is hard to continue a conversation on ever changing threads..

[Special Juan 28,864]

I haven`t even been able to quote anybody all summer.now that is hard to continue a conversation on ever changing threads..

Who have you contacted about this problem?

[Duppy Conqueror 1,588]

nobody..i just hoped it would go away..

I`m only here as a regular during the summer anyway as when the season kicks in and the 2 games a week start between going to games and working all the other days I don`t get time for it minus the odd..woo hoo we beat the shite hart laners,drunken visits..

I click on the quote button and nothing happens..maybe the glitch will work itself out eventually..

[xPetrCechx 13,598]

All work fine for me...

[Special Juan 28,864]

nobody..i just hoped it would go away..

I`m only here as a regular during the summer anyway as when the season kicks in and the 2 games a week start between going to games and working all the other days I don`t get time for it minus the odd..woo hoo we beat the shite hart laners,drunken visits..

I click on the quote button and nothing happens..maybe the glitch will work itself out eventually..

I will look into it tomorrow mate, and get back to you.

[The Chels 2,502]

nobody..i just hoped it would go away..

I`m only here as a regular during the summer anyway as when the season kicks in and the 2 games a week start between going to games and working all the other days I don`t get time for it minus the odd..woo hoo we beat the shite hart laners,drunken visits..

I click on the quote button and nothing happens..maybe the glitch will work itself out eventually..

What are you using to access the site? I have the same problem when using my tablet but the quoting feature works fine on my laptop. @Special Juan

[obiwan92 217]

nobody..i just hoped it would go away..

I`m only here as a regular during the summer anyway as when the season kicks in and the 2 games a week start between going to games and working all the other days I don`t get time for it minus the odd..woo hoo we beat the shite hart laners,drunken visits..

I click on the quote button and nothing happens..maybe the glitch will work itself out eventually..

Hi, Microsoft browsers such as IE and Edge don't work with quote feature.

[Jase 43,479]

If/when Mourinho leaves the club, want us to get Jorge Jesus in as his replacement.

[DYC. 7,542]

If/when Mourinho leaves the club, want us to get Jorge Jesus in as his replacement.

Finally something sensible.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

If/when Mourinho leaves the club, want us to get Jorge Jesus in as his replacement.

Nah, he's fine where he's at.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

You don't seem to get it. He was a defining player for BD, but is he a defining player for Bayern? The answer is No. Mata was defining for Chelsea too, unless you are trying to be mischievous. He played for Chelsea in an important defining role for about three to four different coaches, I think. He was our key player, until he became a surplus to requirement, just like Pedro now is for Barca. However, Mata in comparison is now becoming relevant again at Man U. What is Gotze doing now in comparison?

Seriously, you're completely on the wrong track. It doesn't matter whether Mata or Gotze are defining at their current clubs.

Fact of this whole discussion is that Gotze was sold because Dortmund could not offer him anything to counter his attraction to the money and fame of Bayern. Ergo: he was sold to a bigger club. Mata was sold because he didn't play under Mourinho and he was wasting his time on the bench. Man Utd were the only team in the world that wanted to pay a serious amount of money for him at that moment.

What is there not to get? Come on man...

[Viper22 2,418]

If/when Mourinho leaves the club, want us to get Jorge Jesus in as his replacement.

Good manager but completely mental. Really crazy guy that would get in more trouble than Mourinho does due to opening his mouth at the wrong times and not really having a filter (personally I kinda like that but looking at the stick Mourinho is getting on here probably not what we'd need).