Superb post Ploks, sums up my thinking on this "tracking back" thing that now seems to be the go to for putting down our style of play. The whole of that "best team ever" Barcelonas game was around keeping the ball, then if they lost it every player was expected to bust their balls in getting the ball back as soon as possible, every player tracked back and played a part. And yet no one ever slagged them of for it, in fact they were praised for it.

 

Fair point dkw, but of course the massive difference is you would never see Barca look to see out a game 1-0. Sure, their pressing game and tracking back was exceptional and what Mourinho is striving for but I wouldn't say that was at the expense of flair players. It may be down to personnel and of course it does help to have a Messi. Again, it's all about balance. I'm quite happy with that sort of play as long as it doesn't go on for 80 minutes! We started the season playing some great stuff but in 2015 it has been making for some very uncomfortable viewing.

Fair point dkw, but of course the massive difference is you would never see Barca look to see out a game 1-0. Sure, their pressing game and tracking back was exceptional and what Mourinho is striving for but I wouldn't say that was at the expense of flair players. It may be down to personnel and of course it does help to have a Messi. Again, it's all about balance. I'm quite happy with that sort of play as long as it doesn't go on for 80 minutes! We started the season playing some great stuff but in 2015 it has been making for some very uncomfortable viewing.

Agreed.

I can count on my one hand the amount of games I have enjoyed since Jan/Feb time.

Lots of good points

Fair point dkw, but of course the massive difference is you would never see Barca look to see out a game 1-0. Sure, their pressing game and tracking back was exceptional and what Mourinho is striving for but I wouldn't say that was at the expense of flair players. It may be down to personnel and of course it does help to have a Messi. Again, it's all about balance. I'm quite happy with that sort of play as long as it doesn't go on for 80 minutes! We started the season playing some great stuff but in 2015 it has been making for some very uncomfortable viewing.

Cant argue with that, but as you say we played some great football in the first 3 or 4 months, so that shows Mourinho is happy to play attacking football, and importantly our players tracked back during those months too. My opinion is he simply doesnt have any faith in the squad meaning the players were used far too much, and have tired massively lately. The only way to rectify that and play a full season of scintillating football while also defending as a team is  to strengthen the squad significantly and have back up players he trusts to do the job. This season has been about one thing since christmas, winning the title whatever it takes. Which is when, as we have seen in the past, Mourinho`s pragmatism kicks in.

Cant argue with that, but as you say we played some great football in the first 3 or 4 months, so that shows Mourinho is happy to play attacking football, and importantly our players tracked back during those months too. My opinion is he simply doesnt have any faith in the squad meaning the players were used far too much, and have tired massively lately. The only way to rectify that and play a full season of scintillating football while also defending as a team is  to strengthen the squad significantly and have back up players he trusts to do the job. This season has been about one thing since christmas, winning the title whatever it takes. Which is when, as we have seen in the past, Mourinho`s pragmatism kicks in.

 

I agree - although I think it's more down to pressure than tiredness.

 

I think both Jose and the players are taking it cautiously. We're a team full of quality internationals, but there's not many with Premier League medals at home. Every point seems vital now - and I can appreciate us being more protective of our 1 point from kick-off, and just cautiously probing for an opportunity to make it 3. 

 

We're not as pretty to watch right now, but I fully expect that (if) we lift the title this season, we can kick off next season with a swagger and an attacking flair.

I miss him. So much better than Oscar and he had a great on pitch chemistry with Hazard.

Lots of good points

 

Good point.

I'm sure it's Mata's twatter that most miss.

Nothing unites a forum like Kevin o troll the man United fans

Delightful, very funny.sleep walk into the next match and don't forget to kiss the poster you have of mourhino on your bedroom wall.

Do you really think,I would have an agenda against mourhino,if I thought he wasn't bad for us long term?.mark my words.I will happily eat humble pie.I predicted we would win the league this year.next year,a resounding no.I really hope I am wrong.we played great football at the start of the season.why are we playing sh*te now?.IMO a confused work force.

I thought you mean Kevin O'Kane at first

Yes indeed.as a wise man said.if your tired of me you are tired of life.or am I',m getting it confused with london?

still like him as a player and a person. but we're on the verge of winning a PL title, something that would not of happened if was still here most likely.

 

he had to go, and we're better because of it. whether some of you like to admit it or not.

One could argue that if we had Mata the whole season, we may of won the title last season. We missed that creative spark vs bottom table teams.  Mata's sale wasnt necessary to get the important players we have now, KDB covered the Matic transfer less 4 million.  Luiz and Lukaku the Fabregas/Costa fee's. Or in other words, keep Mata and dont buy Salah and Cuadrado for example.

 

I think Mourinho was hasty in selling such a talented player. Different strategies for different games and I don't see how anyone can claim the squad improved because we lost such a talented attacking player.  We improved because of Mourinho and the additiions, not the subtraction of Mata.  A team with Mata might not defend as well but it's sure more likely to put multiple goals past a side like QPR.  Not a single person on our bench (and few in the starting 11) would give me the confidence of an upcoming goal like a Mata introduction.  We were delighted at how Cesc and Hazard operates with Costa, imagine had Mata been in that mix.  Also, talk about a player who would of helped our progression to a possession based game.

Delightful, very funny.sleep walk into the next match and don't forget to kiss the poster you have of mourhino on your bedroom wall.

Do you really think,I would have an agenda against mourhino,if I thought he wasn't bad for us long term?.mark my words.I will happily eat humble pie.I predicted we would win the league this year.next year,a resounding no.I really hope I am wrong.we played great football at the start of the season.why are we playing sh*te now?.IMO a confused work force.

I've been on the forum a long time, I have a good memory, regrettably for me, I remember most posts and you have been a troll since day one. I think your kind if kept around as a pet for entertainment purposes

One could argue that if we had Mata the whole season, we may of won the title last season. We missed that creative spark vs bottom table teams. Mata's sale wasnt necessary to get the important players we have now, KDB covered the Matic transfer less 4 million. Luiz and Lukaku the Fabregas/Costa fee's. Or in other words, keep Mata and dont buy Salah and Cuadrado for example.

I think Mourinho was hasty in selling such a talented player. Different strategies for different games and I don't see how anyone can claim the squad improved because we lost such a talented attacking player. We improved because of Mourinho and the additiions, not the subtraction of Mata. A team with Mata might not defend as well but it's sure more likely to put multiple goals past a side like QPR. Not a single person on our bench (and few in the starting 11) would give me the confidence of an upcoming goal like a Mata introduction. We were delighted at how Cesc and Hazard operates with Costa, imagine had Mata been in that mix. Also, talk about a player who would of helped our progression to a possession based game.

What I would love to know is if mourinho would have been happy to keep him if it wasn't for the daft offer from utd. Also, whether we let it be known that Mata was available or it was Mata who decided he wanted out for the sake of his world cup squad position.

One could argue that if we had Mata the whole season, we may of won the title last season. We missed that creative spark vs bottom table teams.  Mata's sale wasnt necessary to get the important players we have now, KDB covered the Matic transfer less 4 million.  Luiz and Lukaku the Fabregas/Costa fee's. Or in other words, keep Mata and dont buy Salah and Cuadrado for example.

 

I think Mourinho was hasty in selling such a talented player. Different strategies for different games and I don't see how anyone can claim the squad improved because we lost such a talented attacking player.  We improved because of Mourinho and the additiions, not the subtraction of Mata.  A team with Mata might not defend as well but it's sure more likely to put multiple goals past a side like QPR.  Not a single person on our bench (and few in the starting 11) would give me the confidence of an upcoming goal like a Mata introduction.  We were delighted at how Cesc and Hazard operates with Costa, imagine had Mata been in that mix.  Also, talk about a player who would of helped our progression to a possession based game.

 

I don't think you can call him hasty when Juan was throwing hissy fits when he got subbed (against Southampton, when Oscar came on and had arguably one of his best games for us) and the stories were in the papers everyday. He clearly wasn't going to be part of our plans and we got a phenomenal amount of money for him. 

 

The bigger issue that season was the lack of a top striker. Look at the West Hame game where we created 39 chances, hit the post and Frank missed from 12 yards - put someone like Costa in that squad and we win the league in my opinion.

What I would love to know is if mourinho would have been happy to keep him if it wasn't for the daft offer from utd. Also, whether we let it be known that Mata was available or it was Mata who decided he wanted out for the sake of his world cup squad position.

 

I think Mourinho said that he told Mata about the offer and asked him whether he wanted to leave, and Mata ultimately said yes.

 

I think that means that José probably would have preferred to keep him around but wasn't particularly fussed about losing him, especially in light of the massive fee we received for him.

I still love Mata. He was excellent at the club, in any way possible. A true gentleman, and obviously intelligent too. There are not many footballers out there earning millions a year, and still has the brains to think about their future when the career is over. He really seemed to love London and the country as well.

 

A professional, and I still enjoy seeing him play well, when not facing us. I would've loved to see him stay at the club, but we're not in the position where you can afford to turn down such an offer for a player that's more suited for the bench.

 

I really hope, and believe, that he will be receiving a warm reception tomorrow.

Cant argue with that, but as you say we played some great football in the first 3 or 4 months, so that shows Mourinho is happy to play attacking football, and importantly our players tracked back during those months too. My opinion is he simply doesnt have any faith in the squad meaning the players were used far too much, and have tired massively lately. The only way to rectify that and play a full season of scintillating football while also defending as a team is to strengthen the squad significantly and have back up players he trusts to do the job. This season has been about one thing since christmas, winning the title whatever it takes. Which is when, as we have seen in the past, Mourinho`s pragmatism kicks in.

Good post. Agree except that our performances are more due to pressure than tiredness as spadefx said. With a title win this year, we can really kick on a an 'entertaining force' next season.

I think Jose's philosophy on it is that he doesn't want unhappy people playing for the club. If some one wants to leave, they should leave. It will be interesting to see this philosophy tested when real or barca come calling for Eden. There is also the question of how much Jose did to make Mata feel happy to stay, clearly it wasn't enough.

There is the school of thought that if a player does not have the desire to stay and fight for his place then he doesn't have the characteristics we end in the squad to win the league, on the flip side how much beliefe did Mata have that he would get the chance regardless of how hard he worked. Jose for me has form of rewarding hard work.

Good post. Agree except that our performances are more due to pressure than tiredness as spadefx said. With a title win this year, we can really kick on a an 'entertaining force' next season.

The thing is we are not going to see 38 entertaining prem games. We will have bad games, probably Newcastle away. Even barca don't play fantasy football all the time

The thing is we are not going to see 38 entertaining prem games. We will have bad games, probably Newcastle away. Even barca don't play fantasy football all the time

 

I think most of us accept that Barak. But in 2015, bar the Swansea game, we seem to be grinding out just about every game - even against the likes of Burnley, Hull and QPR.

 

I'll be happy to see us get over the line no matter how this season, but next season we have to look to improve and get back to the sort of football we were playing in August / September.

I think most of us accept that Barak. But in 2015, bar the Swansea game, we seem to be grinding out just about every game - even against the likes of Burnley, Hull and QPR.

I'll be happy to see us get over the line no matter how this season, but next season we have to look to improve and get back to the sort of football we were playing in August / September.

Yeah agreed.

We have to improve and build on this season as anything less won’t be enough next season imo.

The football played at the start of the season was brilliant, our passing and movement were on another level to everyone else in the league. As you say though after Swansea we have came right off the boil and are scraping by teams at the bottom end of the table by the odd goal….of course results matter but as we know performances also matter to Roman.

According to the London Evening Standard

Jose Mourinho hasn't got much wrong since returning to Chelsea but he appears to have regrets about backing Oscar over Juan Mata to be Chelsea's long-term No10.

What a pure fabrication from the media!

According to the London Evening Standard

Jose Mourinho hasn't got much wrong since returning to Chelsea but he appears to have regrets about backing Oscar over Juan Mata to be Chelsea's long-term No10.

What a pure fabrication from the media!

Just trying to feed the flames with the game coming up.

Baseless piece of writing.

I've been on the forum a long time, I have a good memory, regrettably for me, I remember most posts and you have been a troll since day one. I think your kind if kept around as a pet for entertainment purposes

Well I am very honoured to be 'kept around'and thank you for thinking I might have entertaining qualities from a true veteran of the shedend

Edited April 18, 201511 yr by kevin o'kane

Juan Mata stayed by the tunnel to embrace every single Chelsea player before they left the pitch.

 

Class.

 

Absolute class.

 

Wish him all the best as his career continues. Glad to see our fans welcomed him back the Bridge in true fashion.