I very much agree with you with regards to not worrying about the short term trophy haul, and stability is the key but I don't see how Eto'o brings us that stability.

 

I would have preffered Lukaku to stay with us and to be honest I really only saw him as an impact sub this season, but saw it as an opportunity to really intergrate him into our team. But hey ho that ship has sailed now, and as you say part of that could have been Lukakus own decision, although I'm sure the arrival of Eto'o influenced him more than his penalty miss.

 

I trust Jose to get things right with us but I won't follow every decision blindly.

 

 

I'm certainly not one to follow decisions blindly, I just give a situation a fair amount of time before I start to criticise or judge it blindly.

I'm certainly not one to follow decisions blindly, I just give a situation a fair amount of time before I start to criticise or judge it blindly.

 

Sorry if that came across as though I was saying you did, I certainly didn't mean it to.

Sorry if that came across as though I was saying you did, I certainly didn't mean it to.

 

It sort of did but its not a problem, it's six games in and you're one of about twenty people on here I'd expect to be holding back a tad on their misgivings so maybe

I was just a bit surprised that you thought I was some sort of Jose worshipper and followed him like he was a god, I'm quite the opposite but I do believe he knows what he's doing and I don't want to see him leave this club again after we've come full circle.

 

I'll reserve too much judgement until I feel he's been here long enough to see what he's trying to do.

It sort of did but its not a problem, it's six games in and you're one of about twenty people on here I'd expect to be holding back a tad on their misgivings so maybe

I was just a bit surprised that you thought I was some sort of Jose worshipper and followed him like he was a god, I'm quite the opposite but I do believe he knows what he's doing and I don't want to see him leave this club again after we've come full circle.

 

I'll reserve too much judgement until I feel he's been here long enough to see what he's trying to do.

 

Very much the same here, like all fans I'm always going to be a bit disapointed with a few decisions that are made within the club, be it at board or management level.

 

At the moment I'd love to be seeing Mata given more game time and perhaps to be resting some of the old gaurd as I'm not sure they have a 60 game season in the legs, along with being a bit confused by the striker situation.

 

Having said that I do think that Jose will have his reasons for making those decisions and he will live or die by those decisions, he also see's the players much more than I do and he also has a vision for how he wants us to play that none of us are privvy to. I'm not judging Jose in any way, more questioning him.

I think its a matter (no pun intended) of trust with Jose, he likes his players to fully believe in him and his methods and maybe at this time Mata isn't convinced...coming off of two seasons where he has been our most influential player he must feel he's been doing everything right, in the system we've been using he's probably right but to improve the team, to progress from distant title challengers and Europa cup winners Jose obviously thinks that it has to be done differently.

 

My gut feeling and my hope is that Mata will eventually get used to doing things a bit different and maybe even become better for it, maybe not stand out so much as our best player but contribute more so that the team stands out as a better team.

 

I myself am just as happy with Oscar playing where he is and think he is getting better and better, if Mata can do what the manager must feel he has in him, it could all be worthwhile later on.

I'd probably start Torres today as Eto'o could likely do with a rest but to come to the conclusion that Torres is our best striker after Eto'o has had two games and is way off of match sharp, Ba has had one start and a couple of late appearances and Torres has had two and a half years of everyone trying everything to get some form out of him seems to me just a tad unfair on the other two.

I know the forum is to discuss our ideas and air our fears etc but I really think making judgements on players that have had such massive difference in game time is

premature...how would people feel if the Manager looked at a couple of performances by, lets sayfor instance Mata and made a snap decision that Oscar was the better player...I don't think he's made that decision but the uproar in here at the thought he might have shows just how unfair that sort of thinking is.

id have agreed wholeheartedly about oscar and mata, until mourinho's comments saying oscar is his number 10 and mata needs to adapt his game and play right wing. It seems he's made his mind up, when I dont think mata has been given a fair crack, especially coming off the back of last season.

Its early days with eto'o he looked promising against everton but on Wednesday he drifted wide far too much. Until we get the midfield sorted I think its unfair to judge eto'o. We should work on at least a 2 game bases though with the strikers. They need consecutive starts, and rotating every game is not letting any of them hit form.

We know torres' downfalls, but if he starts today and plays sh*t, can you really blame him, he played well and scored against munich, since then he's hardly played, cant be good for confidence and consistency.

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by big blue

id have agreed wholeheartedly about oscar and mata, until mourinho's comments saying oscar is his number 10 and mata needs to adapt his game and play right wing. It seems he's made his mind up, when I dont think mata has been given a fair crack, especially coming off the back of last season.

Its early days with eto'o he looked promising against everton but on Wednesday he drifted wide far too much. Until we get the midfield sorted I think its unfair to judge eto'o. We should work on at least a 2 game bases though with the strikers. They need consecutive starts, and rotating every game is not letting any of them hit form.

We know torres' downfalls, but if he starts today and plays sh*t, can you really blame him, he played well and scored against munich, since then he's hardly played, cant be good for confidence and consistency.

 

 

Those comments if they are not twisted in any way could be Jose making it clear to Mata that so that he knuckles down to the plan, it doesn't or shouldn't mean its always going to be that way but it does mean for now that he should be winning the right spot and playing well.

 

We can only think about Mata's two seasons and imagine he could be our saviour but he can still if he doe's what the manager wants him to and the whole team benefits, we don't know for sure its the right way but the Managers ideas have to be tried.

 

Torres has had it both ways, he's been played too much and he's been left out after good games and I've never noticed a great deal of difference but fair play it would be an excuse (as if he needs any more) if he played badly.

 

I'd start him today and think he'll do ok but I wouldn't complain if Eto'o started either as if he's not looking tired in training, getting him sharp will help let the manager have a fairer idea as to who our main man should be.

Those comments if they are not twisted in any way could be Jose making it clear to Mata that so that he knuckles down to the plan, it doesn't or shouldn't mean its always going to be that way but it does mean for now that he should be winning the right spot and playing well.

We can only think about Mata's two seasons and imagine he could be our saviour but he can still if he doe's what the manager wants him to and the whole team benefits, we don't know for sure its the right way but the Managers ideas have to be tried.

Torres has had it both ways, he's been played too much and he's been left out after good games and I've never noticed a great deal of difference but fair play it would be an excuse (as if he needs any more) if he played badly.

I'd start him today and think he'll do ok but I wouldn't complain if Eto'o started either as if he's not looking tired in training, getting him sharp will help let the manager have a fairer idea as to who our main man should be.

Im still wholeheartedly behind mourinho, I wanted him and ive got confidence he can create another world class team, even if I disagree with the mata situation.

My point about torres was more about strikers in general, he's had more chances, and situations, to perform than any player I can remember playing for us.

I agree about eto'o needing games for match for match sharpness. Really hoping we see a big performance from whoever starts up top today.

Jose is starting a rusty Eto'o ahead of Torres, it tells you all you need to know about how good he is 

I have a feeling that Mourinho doesn't rate Torres, or like him, or whatever, something that doesn't surprise me, cos i had a feeling that would be the case when he returned to the club. The Portugese generally don't like the Spanish, do they? You might think I'm talking tosh, but think about it. Mata's being completely left out, Torres doesn't get regular starts, neither does Azpilicueta. All three are Spanish. Coincidence?

I have a feeling that Mourinho doesn't rate Torres, or like him, or whatever, something that doesn't surprise me, cos i had a feeling that would be the case when he returned to the club. The Portugese generally don't like the Spanish, do they? You might think I'm talking tosh, but think about it. Mata's being completely left out, Torres doesn't get regular starts, neither does Azpilicueta. All three are Spanish. Coincidence?

Perhaps Spanish players aren't as good at defending as other players. Although the Azpilicueta thing is definitely puzzling, except that Ivanovic is in his prime right now, shutting down any attacks from his side. He doesn't help us going forward but defensively he's a fantastic RB.

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by haaggus

I have a feeling that Mourinho doesn't rate Torres, or like him, or whatever, something that doesn't surprise me, cos i had a feeling that would be the case when he returned to the club. The Portugese generally don't like the Spanish, do they? You might think I'm talking tosh, but think about it. Mata's being completely left out, Torres doesn't get regular starts, neither does Azpilicueta. All three are Spanish. Coincidence?

 

Well in Real Xavi was basically one of the untouchables. So was arbeloa even though hes quite sht IMO

Well in Real Xavi was basically one of the untouchables. So was arbeloa even though hes quite sht IMO

Xavi has played for Barcelona all his career. Perhaps you mean Xabi Alonso, who is Basque, not technically Spanish. The Basques are not big fans of the Spaniards.

I have a feeling that Mourinho doesn't rate Torres, or like him, or whatever, something that doesn't surprise me, cos i had a feeling that would be the case when he returned to the club. The Portugese generally don't like the Spanish, do they? You might think I'm talking tosh, but think about it. Mata's being completely left out, Torres doesn't get regular starts, neither does Azpilicueta. All three are Spanish. Coincidence?

torres isnt first choice and its a conspiracy? have you seen him in the last 3 years? nothing to do with being spanish, more that he contributes very little to the team

Xavi has played for Barcelona all his career. Perhaps you mean Xabi Alonso, who is Basque, not technically Spanish. The Basques are not big fans of the Spaniards.

 

Lol yeah, ofc i mean Xabi. Theyre pronounced the same so i spellt it wrong

quote name="Coxy15" post="715291" timestamp="1379841114"]torres isnt first choice and its a conspiracy? have you seen him in the last 3 years? nothing to do with being spanish, more that he contributes very little to the team

Com'on Coxy it is a well know fact that Jose hates Spaniards and gingers.

Torres has no chance.

Com'on Coxy it is a well know fact that Jose hates Spaniards and gingers.

Torres has no chance.

 

Imagine if he dyes his hair ginger, he already has freckles 

 

Jose must have seen this picture

 

Edited September 22, 201312 yr by Las7

I think it was on 606 not sure which pundit came out with this but they said regarding Jose's omission of Mata something on the lines of an 'egotistical issue with Jose wanting to mould his own team instead of continuing the system Benitez preferred last year' Then he went onto say that Cesar, Torres and Mata were first choices for Rafa and therefore Mourinho wanted to change this under his tenure.

 

Might seem pretty obvious but read into that what you will...

I think it was on 606 not sure which pundit came out with this but they said regarding Jose's omission of Mata something on the lines of an 'egotistical issue with Jose wanting to mould his own team instead of continuing the system Benitez preferred last year' Then he went onto say that Cesar, Torres and Mata were first choices for Rafa and therefore Mourinho wanted to change this under his tenure.

 

Might seem pretty obvious but read into that what you will...

 

 

I'd read into it that the pundit was talking out of his arse...we've seen Redknapp caught out doing it, I expect a lot more to have some Jose egg on their faces.

I can't work out why he's not playing Mata. Torres and Cesar makes more sense. Surely it's gotta be more than the poxy reasons Jose has given in his interviews.

Chippy stop spoiling the fun by being by rational and logical. It is obviously a Mourinho inspired anti-spanish conspiracy.

This is brilliant. Just when you thought the Torres brigade couldn't get any more whacko!

Edited September 22, 201312 yr by just

okay

 

looking at it from a rational perspective Mata is our best player for 2 years in a row then all of a sudden he's demoted and told he needs to learn to play right wing and track back more? Cause he wasn't good enough as our number 10? you telling me that hasn't got the sniffing of some kinda different sub text???

 

like i said with torres and cesar it makes sense so im not confirming that Jose has some Anti spanish issue but the Mata situation I reckon potentially could be down to some other issue with Jose.

Chippy stop spoiling the fun by being by rational and logical. It is obviously a Mourinho inspired anti-spanish conspiracy.

This is brilliant. Just when you thought the Torres brigade couldn't get any more whacko!

 

I can't believe after all the Manager changes looking for one that can bring the team forward in the way the owner and a lot of fans wanted we go full circle because the Owner finds out he had made a huge mistake that he couldn't rectify and people don't just sit back and let him get on with his job in the knowledge that he has what it takes.

 

I honestly wonder if some fans want what's best for the club in the long term, a trophy here and there with a team that has no real identity might be ok when you're boasting to opposition fans but after ten years of that, it would be nice to build on it and make it sustainable.

Crucify me for thinking outloud

 

I will only comment from now on when i have something pro Jose yes?

Sweddy there is a discussion to be had on the selection of Mata and, to a lesser extent Dave, but for anyone to spin it as an anti-spanish plot or a pre-meditated rejection of Benitez's selection policy is just daft and I think you know it.

quote name="Coxy15" post="715291" timestamp="1379841114"]torres isnt first choice and its a conspiracy? have you seen him in the last 3 years? nothing to do with being spanish, more that he contributes very little to the team

Com'on Coxy it is a well know fact that Jose hates Spaniards and gingers.

Torres has no chance.

 

tbf who likes gingers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joke disclaimer!