The Mourinho Thread

[bluephoenix 1,131]

Of all the sides he's managed, the current crop of players is probably the most un-Mourinho team ever.

1. Defense. We're shambolic. OK, we might have ended up with the best defence in each season since his return but we're still making mistakes (really silly and basic mistakes) that are not normally associated with a Mourinho side. Never mind about letting in goals, a Mourinho side usually doesn't give the opposition many chances but this season alone, we've probably conceded more than 30 shots on target in four matches! That's poor for a big club and I think only the relegation teams are close to that amount.

2. Set pieces. Do we actually even practice corners and free kicks in training? It's beyond shocking how often the set pieces fail to beat the first man, are overhit or hit straight to an opposition player. We are already struggling to score from open play, the least we could do is be more threatening, more imaginative with our set pieces so we can score from them.

3. Counter-attacks. For a side filled with fast attacking players, we sure score very few goals from counter-attacking situations. Don't commit enough men forward, not decisive in the final third, like to take the extra touch and making the wrong decision with the final delivery. Mourinho has been working with these players for 2 1/2 seasons now and there hasn't been any improvement. I still remember the 4 v 1 counter attack we had at City 2 seasons ago and we somehow contrived to mess it up!

4. Tiki-taka passing. Maybe Mourinho is trying to change our way of playing but can he tell the players not to over-elaborate in the final third? If there's a good chance to shoot at goal, then shoot. But if the opportunity isn't there, then don't and keep the ball moving. It's extremely infuriating that we're tying to be like Arsenal and walk the ball into the net. Be quicker and direct with the passing (I don't mean just lumping the ball to the striker). If there's a chance to set someone on goal, then quickly do it. Don't take the extra touch and pass to create the perfect goal. Quick, direct goals can be effective and great to watch too!

5. Midfield. Teams of Mourinho tend to contain the strong, physical players especially in midfield but this side has too many softies (e.g. Fabregas). Again, this is perhaps part of Mourinho's attempt to try a new way of playing but we are desperately lacking a physical player or two to go alongside Matic. We need someone who isn't afraid to fight, to do the dirty things (if you can call it that) etc when matches get tough and physical. Imagine what a peak Essien, Ballack or Lampard would do for this side. Mourinho needs to get 1-2 those kind of players in because we need to have a balance of strength, power, pace and creativity. Without that strength and power in the side, we get overrun too easily whenever we come up against a half-decent side.

Make this a sticky post

[lionsden 4,689]

Roman Abramovich has questions over lack of Chelsea graduates making the grade in Jose Mourinho's side

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3187293/Roman-Abramovich-questions-lack-Chelsea-graduates-Jose-Mourinho-s-side.html

Roman is deluded. He wants to see youth flourish and given opportunities in the first team with the ultimate goal of producing a couple of first teamers out of the crop in a few years then hires a manager with a reputation such as Jose. It's a'kin to hiring brendan rogers and then expect your team to be defensively solid.

[Special Juan 28,097]

It will be panic spending in January because right now the club are 'hoping' things come good. There is problems.

[Jokesy 53]

Wow!

Is everyone on this board really a Chelsea fan?

[Muzchap 8,966]

Wow!

Is everyone on this board really a Chelsea fan?

Yeah of course - that's why it's talk Chelsea not talk Charlton

I guess what you are seeing is a blend of posts that started last year when we suddenly stopped Playing football and people were concerned - this has carried over. At the time, me included, I thought this was an overreaction.

However, its been analysed to death and maybe, just maybe - there is some truth to this movement

Now hardly anybody is calling for him to be sacked, moreover a massive concern that he isn't being adaptable enough and the old 3rd season syndrome rears it's ugly head

Whatever happens - all of the posters on here are genuine and very passionate about their beliefs

[Kunkka 19]

i like jose but he is coach without balls ... how he treated moses remy schurle mikel cuardado oscar is unfair .. how he treated ivanovic matic fabregas terry cahill.

[Fernando 6,585]

The guys at espn think Mourinho is talking about hazard and not Ivanovic as the player he single out last time.

I guess that's about right. Take hazard and continue with Ivanovic till infinity and beyond!

[HD3D 1,038]

The guys at espn think Mourinho is talking about hazard and not Ivanovic as the player he single out last time.

I guess that's about right. Take hazard and continue with Ivanovic till infinity and beyond!

Jose said two or three players.

[CMS 382]

I didn't realize it was the Jose Mourinho's hater's convention.

[Jokesy 53]

Yeah of course - that's why it's talk Chelsea not talk Charlton

I guess what you are seeing is a blend of posts that started last year when we suddenly stopped Playing football and people were concerned - this has carried over. At the time, me included, I thought this was an overreaction.

However, its been analysed to death and maybe, just maybe - there is some truth to this movement

Now hardly anybody is calling for him to be sacked, moreover a massive concern that he isn't being adaptable enough and the old 3rd season syndrome rears it's ugly head

Whatever happens - all of the posters on here are genuine and very passionate about their beliefs

Thanks bro. I actually thought i was on the theguardian's anti Chelsea/antiMourinho forum

i like jose but he is coach without balls ... how he treated moses remy schurle mikel cuardado oscar is unfair .. how he treated ivanovic matic fabregas terry cahill.

I understand your frustration bro, but i think you it's probably the opposite.

I don't think there are many coaches with more balls than Jose. That guy has benched some big names in his career.

The guys at espn think Mourinho is talking about hazard and not Ivanovic as the player he single out last time.

I guess that's about right. Take hazard and continue with Ivanovic till infinity and beyond!

Mourinho didn't actually mention anybody's name in his interview but people that try to deduce whatever suits them.

Mourinho is never going to criticise Ivanovic except he's given up totally on him, same for Terry, and Cahill for good management reason.

You don't criticise players that are very low in confidence in the public especially if they've given their all to the club in recent past.

[The Skipper 20,609]

I didn't realize it was the Jose Mourinho's hater's convention.

Are people genuinely not allowed to critique anything Jose does or?

[Liuxas 124]

Are people genuinely not allowed to critique anything Jose does or?

Sometimes people forget that Club is bigger than a Manager .

[NishC300 1,865]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vc2RiVdQAc

Includes Mourinho and Abrahmovich

[NishC300 1,865]

Are people genuinely not allowed to critique anything Jose does or?

You are now, trying do it a few years ago.....

Sometimes people forget that Club is bigger than a Manager .

How dare you compare a mere club to Mourinho, Mourinho's even bigger than the parliament or even the United Nations Security Council.

[King11Didier 916]

It will be interesting what Mou will say about his new signing after the reports that he don't even know him