The Mourinho Thread

[darrus 422]

No, way. Chelsea will field B team on Sunday. Gears all energy for Wednesday & the two remaining games in the PL.

After Wednesday, the schedule is acceptable & Chelsea will be in the CL for next season.

Just like no way we were losing to Sunderland, right?

[bushman 2,043]

Just put him on the ignore list, most on the forum have.

I am happy you have done that. Lol.

[bushman 2,043]

Just like no way we were losing to Sunderland, right?

Chelsea was robbed, then.

Just one little thing here. Chelsea lost 6 games out of 35 & you think, they will lose 3 straight games now?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ref, Ref and Ref. That for me is more worrying than Atletico.

I'll feel much better if it is Proenca who's officiating. We always get amazing results with him. Wouldn't mind that Turkish ref either.

[Jype 6,398]

Just put him on the ignore list, most on the forum have.

Must get lonely for Bushman, just talking by himself and no one ever reads his posts.

[bushman 2,043]

Must get lonely for Bushman, just talking by himself and no one ever reads his posts.

Not worried about the likes of you, at all.

[The only place to be 11,313]

That obviously goes without saying? But if you think that we'd be so defensively vulnerable if Torres had support from two more guys on the counter and if you think we simply can't risk that because Atletico are so dangerous going forward then bravo, because I don't. We're just going to have to agree to disagree on that one here.

OK.

Yes, decent, considering he was up there on his own. It might have been good or excellent if he had a couple of players that supported him when going forward on the counter.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Oscar has generally been good in Europe for us. This would've been a decent game for him to play in.

Good away to Steaua and Schalke, fairly anonymous away to PSG and got less than a minute against Galatasaray.

OK.

Well you're wrong if you think we don't have any sort of disadvantage because the away goal rule is clearly there for all to see. If you were an Atletico fan or rather yet, if we were at the Bridge in the first leg and we played out a 0-0 draw would you say that we have no advantage at all going to the Vicente Calderon with the away goal rule there? Of course you wouldn't.

No, but I'd have expected us to have got a goal at home to take to the away leg. That's the beauty of two-legged ties. At the moment it's half-time and we're level. Lamenting the shoulda, woulda, couldas of a goalless draw away to a top European team is the point at which I'd probably find something else to moan about.

You don't have to patronise me on that, can we not just debate as two intelligent Chelsea fans? I'll say it once again, I seriously don't think committing an extra two men going forward on the counter whilst the rest of the team remain deep would make us so vulnerable that Atletico would punish us. They aren't that great going forward when there's still that many men behind the ball. We'd have enough men to close off any spaces Atletico might attack whilst the rest of the team that went forward on the counter come back and recreate the shape we had started the game with. Simple.

I wasn't patronising you....well actually I was earlier with the timeout comment.

Here I was just repeating your own analysis back to you. But it's interesting you now just want to commit just a couple of guys forward and leave everyone else deep. That's a brilliant way to create holes for teams to exploit and was essentially the root of a lot of problems when we had Mata in the side and had a disconnect between attack and defence.

As a designed tactic it seems like a good way to lose a game.

Apparently say anything that doesn't remotely praise Mou on here and you're instantly seen as the enemy by some. You don't need to remind me of his achievements, we're not discussing his ability as a manager in the CL as a whole. Of course it's a difficult trophy to win, that's not the debate here at all, but to say he usually does well in the CL semi finals isn't correct. I'm not knocking Jose in any way, just stating the fact that he has lost five of his seven CL semi final ties. I'm not talking about winning CLs back to back, I'm talking about his CL semi finals record. That's not knocking him as a manager or knocking his CL record, it just is what it is. You can't try and spin it and say he's done well in CL semi finals because he hasn't.

It's how in the same way he's won every CL final he's been part of. That means he does well in CL finals. I don't know why you're trying to spin it into me saying something sinister or bad about Mourinho.

I'm not trying to spin anything. I think the comment you made was stupid enough without me having to apply context to it to make it patently obvious how absurd it was.

As for the victimisation point, give it a rest. You have a right to post what you want about Jose and so do I. I simply think there's a narrative being built where he's being criticised for his ability to get teams attacking when the truth is that he's not had the right resources at this point in time.

You're bitching about us getting a 0-0 draw in a Champions League semi-final. That's like a 10 year-old being taken on a spending spree at Hamleys and crying because they aren't allowed a Happy Meal on the way home.

It has now somehow conveyed into a unnecessary discussion between us both, you think that Mourinho's plan was 100% perfect and has given us a great advantage and no disadvantages, whilst I think that his plan was very good defensively, but that we could've played better on the counter, not as conservative - instead of sending just Torres and maybe Willian or Ramires forward, we could've sent one or two more because Atletico aren't good enough to punish us with the rest of our team sitting deep - if we leave back 6 men for a few seconds we really won't be as open as you're trying to portray we'd be - and that could've perhaps nicked us an away goal because I think Atletico are capable of grabbing an away goal at ours themselves. I think it's best we just leave the discussion where it is because it's spiralling into a needless, repetitive argument now.

Well that's a simplistic way of viewing my argument. Every gameplan has advantages or disadvantages - the best managers weigh up the risks associated with both and make a judgment call that tends to favour them. That's what Jose did, that's what Jose does and I think on the balance of things he got it about right although if he didn't and we lose the tie I'm sure you'll be amongst the first to point out his mistakes.

Of course because Real have those players at disposal they can play on the counter more comfortably, I mean they are obviously the best counter attacking team in the world, we on the other hand didn't even really attempt a true counter attack in the game though even though we are capable of it and have shown that we can be devastating i.e. against City

When we had Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o and Nemanja Matic available.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Well bushman or 'dumbman' as I will refer to you as we still have a chance. I would rather us challenge for the league then throw it away. Like I said the PL has shown anything is possible. What if we do win that game then go on to win the league. Or perhaps lose the game then see Liverpool and City drop points. We would regret playing a weakened team. I think it is possible that City drop points. Less possible than Liverpool however I still think they go to to go to Palace at 8pm on Monday night iirc. By that time they may be 2nd or 3rd if things go our way. Pressure hopefully will get to them.

I think you are the one who needs more maths lessons. If we have a chance of winning it that is mathmetically possible. Regardless of whether we have to rely on other teams it is mathemtically possible. Idiot.

Palace has proved to be difficult for many teams. City were outsocring most teams before. Now would you have predicted them to batter Sunderland? I would of but no. A team who was last in the league nearly got 3 points there. Until the last day anything is possible. I will always keep believing.

The question is what do we have a greater chance of winning? The CL is in our hands, the league isn't.

Does playing our starters for the Atletico game in the Liverpool game diminish our chances of getting a result on Wednesday? If the answer is maybe then why take the risk?

As for throwing away the league we already did that against Villa, Palace and Sunderland.

[Special Juan 28,141]

Question....Is this the first time a manager has been fined for sarcasm?

[bushman 2,043]

Well, for some in here, math has never been their favorite subject during their schooling, I read.

Of course, Chelsea has got a much better chance to win the CL than the PL. To rely on Citeh or Liverpool losses is just not very smart. Jose knows it, most of us know it & let Jose to field the B team on Sunday.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I don't believe his hands were tied at all, he had good options in Oscar and Schurrle who everyone knows are more than capable of effectively contributing to the defensive part of our game but could do something going forward.

You don't think his hands were tied 'at all' without his best and most dynamic player?. Because otherwise, Willian and Hazard would have started, with one of Lampard and Mikel dropping to the bench.

As for the options Mourinho had, Oscar has been terrible lately and doesn't deserve to play... but Schurrle i agree with like i said previously.

[Imran_CFC 2]

The truth of the matter is Mourinho can't risk any of his potential starters for the Champions league against Liverpool even if he wanted to.

The season is coming to a conclusion and players have a great number of mileage on the clock and anyone can pull up injured even with a minor knock, we are already short in numbers for Wednesday, The game which will define our season so the sensible thing to do is rest players for the Semi Final.

[Stats 7,142]

Get lost asshole!

Truth hurts doesnt it and btw I call it 'maths'.

I am happy you have done that. Lol.

Well when many members of the forum has maybe you should reflect on your attitude. It stinks and you have the nerve to tell other people to don't insult you. Do one you lunatic.

The question is what do we have a greater chance of winning? The CL is in our hands, the league isn't.

Does playing our starters for the Atletico game in the Liverpool game diminish our chances of getting a result on Wednesday? If the answer is maybe then why take the risk?

As for throwing away the league we already did that against Villa, Palace and Sunderland.

I see your point but Atletico are going to have to put two similar teams out against Valencia and Chelsea. We can rotate some but putting these youth players in defence I am not sure about. But I would rather we put our best into both. The CL is definitely more realistic but you know beating Liverpool and being only 2 points behind I will believe in both. I don't think we will win the league but I will hate the thought of Liverpool virtually winning the league against us. I don't really mind what midfield and attack he puts out as I am sure it will pose Liverpool a threat but only in defence I am worried about. Might be a risk but I would rather he played an experienced defence for pride sake and with the hope of winning the game. Can see both points of view but I would rather if we have to only play one out of Kalas, Ake and Christensen.

[bushman 2,043]

Stats,

You are missing out on the facts.

Also, you were told to hit the road. Just do it!

[The only place to be 11,313]

Can see both points of view but I would rather if we have to only play one out of Kalas, Ake and Christensen.

Christensen will probably play in the youth cup the next day (WHS reminded me that was coming up), Ake is probably third choice left-back which we might be down to if we rest Cole and Kalas is third choice right-back and probably fourth choice centre-back right now.

I'd rest Cahill entirely now. He's too important with JT being out and would probably be captain on Wednesday with Cech, JT and Lamps all missing.

Ivanovic has had a few days rest so could start both games, although I'd probably want him in central defence against Atletico with Luiz in midfield.

Luiz struggles with the rigours of midfield work, so I'd rest him completely on Sunday.

So if we start Azpi, Ivanovic, Cahill and Cole on Wednesday then I think it'd be pushing it to go with anything to different from Azpi, Ivanovic, Kalas and Ake on Sunday. But we'll see. Jose could go first-choice in both games - 3 games in 8 days is tough but not earth-shatteringly so.

[Imran_CFC 2]

I think it will be vital for Mourinho to strike the right balance for Sunday, I believe Ivanovic has to play Sunday in order to get accomodated to the centre back position for Wednesday A also think Ashley Cole needs to play in order to get further match practise.

My team would be:

Schwarzer

Azpi, Ivanovich, Kalas, Cole

Mikel, Matic, Lampard

Salah, Oscar

Ba

[Henrique 9,133]

I get what you guys are saying but my point is Madrid were overmatched. Simply put: in an open game of football Bayern are comfortably better and would win because of their superior ability. There aren't many teams Madrid will play like that against. Why that's relevant to us is we're lower in the food-chain and will have to play like that against more teams than Madrid will need too.

Let's not kid ourselves and overrate our players; in this moment in time Atletico Madrid are to Chelsea what Bayern are to Madrid. They are comfortably better and we need to play against them in a way that allows us to compete.

The only difference between Madrid and Chelsea's game plan is they have Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria to make better use of their limited possession.

I think you are wrong, your perspective about football does not feel right to me.

I dont think Real were overmatched, having more possession does not mean you are overmatching the oponent. Both team had different strategies, but both were dangerous (Real were even more dangerous).

You are only looking at ball posession stats.

I believe 90% of the world would disagree about Atlético being confortably better. Actually Atlético is a very limited team in many aspects. They are very solid, but definetely not better, and even if thats the case, its still all up to our tactics, because our squad is way better than Atlético's.

And no, the difference was not a matter of Benzema, Ronaldo and Di Maria. We started the match with 4 Defensive Midfielders (Lampard played the whole season as a DM), and one atacking mid playing as a second right back.

[MHL 47 378]

People say (usually the corporate media, such as Sky who have a vested interest in covering anything dodgy up) that the Premier league is beyond corruption. I am not so sure. We've seen it in Italy and South America, China, Korea. etc

One thing is for sure they would do anything and everything to cover it up as its worth billions in TV revenue, and if anything was proven however small they would do all in their power to make it a damage limitation excercise

I'd be genuinely surprised if cash was changing hands directly.

However the 'politics' at play in both the FA and the PMGOL, might result in people being 'guided' down a path of actions, for say, the betterment of their career. The gold mine of the Champions League awaits those who tow-the-line. A referee gets over £5000 for officiating a group stage game in the CL. So if you do 6 group games, that's well over £30grand on top of your salary. These CL and PL refs are earning well over £100'000 per year, and taking their assistants with them as well on the wealth creation journey.

If you can pick up a cheap copy of Mark Halsey's book, I recommend it. It lays out the political nature of 'professional' referees and politicking of the structure, the cliques and their lead mans style I.e. at that time and currently Mike Riley. Halsey slaughters Riley, accuses Poll of all sorts of stuff to ensure Poll remained the main man in refereeing at that time.

My own take on Jose saying he congratulated Riley on achieving his objective is not directly to do with us but more to do with Liverpool.

[Barbara 15,149]

You don't know that. Sorry if you feel like I'm going to 'blast' you for your opinion, but bear in mind it is just your opinion. Jose clearly didn't want to lose the tie in the first leg but keep us very much in it when we'll have our most potent attacking threat back in the side. Now we've got home advantage and can set up to be a bit more attacking having stopped the leaders of La Liga from scoring against us (apparently breaking down teams who set up to defend is tough.....who knew?).

He should've should he? Why? Why risk losing a 0-0 result to maybe get a goal against one of the best defences in Europe marshalled by one of the best keepers in the world?

And he should've done this after our keeper was replaced by a 41 year old making his debut in the knockout stages of the Champions League and before or after we lost our skipper and defensive lynchpin?

No he shouldn't have done that...he could've done but why? That's just not how Jose thinks and it's worked out pretty well for him so far.

When not even our fans can acknowledge that it wasn't Atletico that had a bad day, but that WE neutralized and limited them, and give credit to the manager where it's due then you know nobody is going to understand Mourinho did what he had to do. Atletico was toothless because we reduced their spaces (in a huge pitch) and they looked clueless. Then someone suggests us to actually try to grab a goal? With our two best attackers injured? Of course no one can say what would have happened if Mourinho had tried a more offensive formation from 75' on, but I think chances would be really small of us getting a better result. People watched RM yesterday (some for the first time in the year) and they think that's what we should have done. Right, that's because we had similar players to Alonso, Modric, Ronaldo, di Maria, Benzema and Bale at our disposal then... People seem to fail to understand (and that's not towards The Skipper) that we don't have the people to play what RM did... we just don't.

Then we try to be more offensive, it means one piece of the system Mourinho got has to be dropped and then we may invite Atletico back to the match - not to mention we were without our main keeper and our captain was also off injured. It doesn't make that much a wise move imo.

Now we'll play in a very small pitch that naturally means a space reduction for Atletico's standards in Spain. We'll hopefully have at least one between Eden and Sami recovered (praying for both) and we'll play at home. I'm one of those that don't think 0x0 is much better than 0x1 to Atletico (although nonetheless better, it's just as Rapha said, among all good results, 0x0 is the 'worst' good). So why risk everything in the first 90 minutes, if this is a 180-minute battle where we have the advantage of having the final word at home? It's not like we had someone who's the same caliber as RM attackers to get. Schurrle didn't do much and although he was probably instructed to defend more than anything else, I'm not that sure he was going to be the guy to win us the match.

Sometimes I feel people are sort of delusional in what they expect from this team, as if they haven't witnessed enough times this season that we can't create chances and we are really bad capitalizing them... then in a very risky situation given all players that weren't playing, they want us to give an unproved guy the free pass to attack (or at least relieve him from some of his defensive role). Yeah, not much sense in my head. Unless you have Cristiano, di María, Bale or Benzema.

[zolayes 14,489]

Question....Is this the first time a manager has been fined for sarcasm?

probably .........but it may not be the last ....