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Jose Mourinho

How do you feel about Mourinho appointment

  • Excited - silverware here we come baby

    Votes: 666 46.7%
  • Meh - will give him a chance and hope he is successful

    Votes: 468 32.8%
  • Horrified - praying for the day he'll fuck off

    Votes: 292 20.5%

  • Total voters
    1,426

Metalhead

But that's a debate for another thread.....
Nov 24, 2013
25,351
38,294
Nail on the head. I can be sure that if we played defensively and showed the organisation or grit of Jose's Inter/Simeone's Atletico other night, people may get on board with it.

Its the fact we have 10 defensive players but still get ripped to shreds by basic passes through the centre of the pitch that frustrates most, I imagine.

Jose said he could fix the attack OR defence but not both. Well it was neither again today.

He needs time and points wise he's done great, but the process could be a struggle.
It will be a struggle and a long road. Whether the fans and more pertinently DL will afford him the time is another question. The man's record on the trophy front is undeniable. Personally I'm over us being the nice, project team and would like to see us actually win some trophies. That is what competition is about.
 

SirNiNyHotspur

23 Years of Property, Concerts, Karts & Losing
Apr 27, 2004
3,125
6,743
If we don't make top4 i'm not going to enjoy the argument cycle of us not being able to afford a striker because we didn't make the champions league which we might have done if we had signed a striker in January which we didn't do as we wanted to wait and spend the money in the summer on a striker :cautious:
And there it is, there is always an excuse for failure, i can understand ENIC defending themselves, I can’t understand fans defending ENIC, Levy truly is a genius to have failed so consistently at success when we had so many chances for glory, yet to still have limitless fans ready to halt their lives in his defence yet get none of his payoff, reminds me off a certain Trump who the very people he fucks over love him...

as for the topic, poch, mourninho whoever, manager matters little if those at the top don’t have trophies and success as the no1 priority, that was and is why we’ll continue to fail.
 

ToDarrenIsToDo

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2017
1,665
6,291
All true but it’s the style of play so deep
And negative from minute one even at home and to l’lesser’ sides which is getting hard to watch every week.

True but also ironic that the first goal,we conceded today, a massive one when we haven't got goals in the team didn't come from a deep block passage of play, the same for their 2nd.
 

IamSpurtacus

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2019
1,487
7,011
There would be if (1) we could stop conceding so many goals, and (2) score. Sadly we don't look capable of either.

That just reinforces my point...we’ve lost our two biggest sources of goals, a midfield workhorse and haven’t added a DM...
 

spud

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2003
5,850
8,794
There is no point playing higher up the pitch as most of our defenders aren't quick and most of the forward players haven't got the technical ability or creativity to play against sides who are parking the bus.
You are probably right that if we played a high press then our lack of pace defensively might leave us exposed. However, you don't need to press high, you can press when you're in a low block. We don't. We don't even deny teams space.

You can press in a low position as long as you do it as a unit. We just sit behind the ball with somebody individually trying to close down the ball carrier. So we get passed around, even when were massed on the edge of our own box.

The problem isn't that we are defensive. The problem is that we are completely passive. We react to what the opposition is doing, often too late, instead of forcing them to make mistakes. There is absolutely nothing wrong in defending and playing on the counter-attack. But you have to win the ball at some point, not just sit back and hope that the opposition gives it to you.
 

DEFchenkOE

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2006
10,527
8,052
We've got more chance of out scoring teams than grinding results even without Son and Kane. Toby Verts are vastly over rated Davies hmmm Aurier's strengths going forward.

Lloris

Aurier
Sanchez
Tanganga
Sessengon

Lo Celso
Winks
Ndombele

Bergwijn
Alli
Lamela*

*Moura if Lamela not fit.

Just keep playing this team injuries apart

Spot on, for me it's that simple. Play this team where possible injuries permitting. The backline has some pace so push up and press high. No way should someone like Giroud be running in behind like he did today against Toby.

Put Bergwijn, Lamela or Lucas wide right so Aurier doesn't need to push up so high and be out of position..

Rotate Ndombele with Gedson if he has fitness problems.

This 541 anti football system that was deployed today has to stop. I never want to see this played by my team again. That was not football and I can't watch it.

I don't even mind if we lose, just try and give the opposition a game from the go. Don't wait like sitting ducks for them to score.

Been extremely disappointed in Jose's approach to matches barring the first few games he took charge. He spends way too much time analysing opponents and worrying about what they can do instead of working on pattern of plays for what we can do.
 

philip

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2009
1,347
2,490
I'm really not happy
He should also give Parrott a chance. We are desperate for goals, have no one else who can play up top, are still in touching distance for fourth, and we have a very highly rated 18yo who I'm sure would fucking love to play. This is exactly the time to give him a go. What have we got to lose?

The crowd would get right behind him even if he struggles, because he's one of our own and it's an injury crisis. His confidence isn't going to crumble if he doesn't do well, but at least give it a go. Younger players than him have made it in the PL.
Couldn't agree more. Loads of players have been thrown in out of necessity and done well. Rashford is the obvious one that springs to mind. But even when we had to throw in Neale Fenn and Rory Allen (1997), it wasn't great but they tried and Allen was scoring!

Mourinho has two choices. Either change the style to suit the shorter tactical players we have, or throw in Troy Parrott. But either way, stop moaning.
 

midoshairband

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2006
6,947
13,636
Spot on, for me it's that simple. Play this team where possible injuries permitting. The backline has some pace so push up and press high. No way should someone like Giroud be running in behind like he did today against Toby.

Put Bergwijn, Lamela or Lucas wide right so Aurier doesn't need to push up so high and be out of position..

Rotate Ndombele with Gedson if he has fitness problems.

This 541 anti football system that was deployed today has to stop. I never want to see this played by my team again. That was not football and I can't watch it.

I don't even mind if we lose, just try and give the opposition a game from the go. Don't wait like sitting ducks for them to score.

Been extremely disappointed in Jose's approach to matches barring the first few games he took charge. He spends way too much time analysing opponents and worrying about what they can do instead of working on pattern of plays for what we can do.

the thing is, i could almost accept this type of football if we were solid defensively. hard to break down. think Simeone’s madrid - personally i’d be happy if we played like then and got the results.

but we’re still wide open and conceding goals + 20 shots a game, while at the same time atifling our attacking play.
 

ackie

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2005
8,780
6,660
When we saw the teamsheet, many were so thrilled so see both GLC and Ndombele starting with winks. Stevie and tanGanga were both playing as well.
Now with the results, most are complaining.
Let's be honest and fair.
He's 3 months into the job with no strikers and playing 3 games in one week. Our opponents had 5days off.
They were playing home and most games we played at Stamford Bridge, we've lost.
We have injuries to Kane and Son and I'd even mention Sissoko.
Sadly though, we don't like the way he sets up cause it's negative and defensive.
What is he suppose to do though?
Playing attacking football with a weak defense?? 5 defenders and we still leak goals. We've all seen vertt's and at times Toby being the weak links. They are not as they were a season or two ago.
I don't like the way we are at the moment but there's no need to call for his head now and to think that he's outdated.
I've seen worst than that... Been a supporter since 1985!!!
 

BigAl

Member
Feb 13, 2004
75
20
Come on fellas. We’ve never been frightened of losing . But do it in style. The game is about glory.

Parking the bus every game, including Southampton at home is not Tottenham. This is not my club. I’m not having it. But he’s here for at least another season, killing our club. How do we change it?
 

ackie

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2005
8,780
6,660
Come on fellas. We’ve never been frightened of losing . But do it in style. The game is about glory.

Parking the bus every game, including Southampton at home is not Tottenham. This is not my club. I’m not having it. But he’s here for at least another season, killing our club. How do we change it?
Sorry mate... Out of curiosity, "The game is about glory..." but what have we won since years ago.
Glory is winning and achieving... Do explain pls.
 

ToDarrenIsToDo

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2017
1,665
6,291
When we saw the teamsheet, many were so thrilled so see both GLC and Ndombele starting with winks. Stevie and tanGanga were both playing as well.
Now with the results, most are complaining.
Let's be honest and fair.
He's 3 months into the job with no strikers and playing 3 games in one week. Our opponents had 5days off.
They were playing home and most games we played at Stamford Bridge, we've lost.
We have injuries to Kane and Son and I'd even mention Sissoko.
Sadly though, we don't like the way he sets up cause it's negative and defensive.
What is he suppose to do though?
Playing attacking football with a weak defense?? 5 defenders and we still leak goals. We've all seen vertt's and at times Toby being the weak links. They are not as they were a season or two ago.
I don't like the way we are at the moment but there's no need to call for his head now and to think that he's outdated.
I've seen worst than that... Been a supporter since 1985!!!

He's also had to make do for large parts of his tenure playing his backup goalkeeper and backup left back options with 2 first teams in Lloris and Davies only recently making their returns. Huge holes in the team when you consider that he can't rely on Ndombele for 90 minutes at a time also.
 

ackie

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2005
8,780
6,660
He's also had to make do for large parts of his tenure playing his backup goalkeeper and backup left back options with 2 first teams in Lloris and Davies only recently making their returns. Huge holes in the team when you consider that he can't rely on Ndombele for 90 minutes at a time also.
Ndombele been injured or has problem with fitness and is our most expensive signing... Yet no productivity...
 

DEFchenkOE

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2006
10,527
8,052
When we saw the teamsheet, many were so thrilled so see both GLC and Ndombele starting with winks. Stevie and tanGanga were both playing as well.
Now with the results, most are complaining.
Let's be honest and fair.
He's 3 months into the job with no strikers and playing 3 games in one week. Our opponents had 5days off.
They were playing home and most games we played at Stamford Bridge, we've lost.
We have injuries to Kane and Son and I'd even mention Sissoko.
Sadly though, we don't like the way he sets up cause it's negative and defensive.
What is he suppose to do though?
Playing attacking football with a weak defense?? 5 defenders and we still leak goals. We've all seen vertt's and at times Toby being the weak links. They are not as they were a season or two ago.
I don't like the way we are at the moment but there's no need to call for his head now and to think that he's outdated.
I've seen worst than that... Been a supporter since 1985!!!

I think everyone was happy to see Ndombele and Lo Celso starting, they should have been part of a midfield 3 alongside Winks holding though. Instead of Lo Celso pushed out to the right of a flat midfield 4. Add to that the but 5 across the back including wingbacks much more suited to being in the central 3 and it was a complete mess of what it could have been.
 

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,730
5,431
Hiring a guy that isn't even tangentially aligned with Poch's style of play suggests a big bed wetting by Levy and his advisers when deciding to make a managerial change. It's one thing to switch managers, which was a poor decision IMO, it's quite another to rip up the script and abandon the identity that had been built up over the prior half decade. It strikes me that the original theory explains why this happened - Levy thought Mourinho could take the squad and stay top 4. He may yet be right. And certainly 'shiny happy Jose' told that story when he came in, complaining about the schedule but not suggesting the squad was crap or full of half-fit no-hopers.

So i'm not surprised with the defensive and reactive approach because that's his MO and he has been picking up results despite the largely turgid fare. He's not going to change, despite page after page in this thread suggesting otherwise. He might just do it better. I reckon that approach won't be competitive at the very top, but we'll see.

But I am surprised that Mourinho has abandoned 'shiny happy Jose' so soon and to the point where he prattles on endlessly now about being a broken record about how shit and unfit we are and looking ahead to July (all with the wonderful backhanded compliment that he can ask no more of his boys). For such a savvy media operator, he's putting himself under huge pressure by writing us off as also-rans for the remainder of the season....in February. We're a two-man team it seems and multi-millionaire professional athletes we have throughout the squad can barely run and pass, let alone attack within a coherent framework. Or if he has a coherent framework, it's a big secret until July!?!

This narrative, one he is promoting himself, will place him under enormous pressure at the start of next season. Maybe he's fine with that and confident enough in his methods to think he'll get off to a good start next season. Or maybe he'll have a host of new excuses for knackered half-fit players after the Euros. My advice would be to change the tune and try some upbeat prognostications matched with upbeat team selections (more upbeat that a flat-back-five, anyway).
 

King of Otters

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2012
10,751
36,093
He's 3 months into his job and has just lost his two most prolific players. Mental how he seems to be getting judged because he is Jose

He’s getting off lightly because of who he is. If any other manager had served up the dross we’ve seen under him since Chelsea at home massive questions would be being asked of their ability to get the best out of this group of players.
 

Danny1

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2006
5,622
17,169
He’s getting off lightly because of who he is. If any other manager had served up the dross we’ve seen under him since Chelsea at home massive questions would be being asked of their ability to get the best out of this group of players.

Erm.....just on this. He is getting off lightly because he has the 3rd most points in the league since he joined. That means that 17 other managers should be slammed by the press yeah?
 

Thewobbler

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2016
3,814
5,701
So i decided for the first time in ages to watch the MOTD highlights and they were showing how we could have played simple balls to clearly open players to build up play yet the defenders hoofed the ball long to nobody. Surely mourinho cant be telling them to do that especially with how hes been banging on about not having a target man.
 

Sputic

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2005
658
463
He's shit. He's s shit man and nowadays he's a shit manager. His tactics are out-dated, this passive nonsense doesn't work against even decent teams anymore. And he can't coach the players it seems - there's no defensive organisation and no cohesion going forward.

His main tactic seems to be hope the opposition miss the chances they get and hope one of our talented attackers gets something. So basically, to get lucky and we've been generally lucky. But it's not a sustainable model.

And the constant excuse making and claims of having no other options is pathetic. It's a losers mentality. And that's what he is nowadays - a loser.

If you make a mistake, the best response is to admit it and rectify it as soon as possible. That's what Levy needs to do. Appointing Mourinho was a mistake, now he needs to swallow his pride and fix it.
 
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