Jos? drops the Diamond!

[nikas2000]

Jos? Mourinho in the interview in the Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 076399.ece

"We will work our 4-3-3 with wingers, of course, and we will change our 4-4-2 with a diamond to a 4-4-2 with wingers. So the objective of having Robben and Malouda and Joe [Cole] and Kalou and so on is because we want to have always these solutions to give width to our game, to give depth, to give speed, to give creativity. We want to do that.?

"(...)there is the possibility of playing with two strikers and one of them being the man to play in between the lines. Didier is not the man for that, Didier is a striker man. Kalou is not the man, he?s a pure striker too. But Pizarro and Sheva [Andriy Shevchenko] are very intelligent players in the way they move behind and they can be the man to come from behind, so in this moment we have solutions for these two systems. I hope not to play with the diamond unless I need to do it for some reason. I have so many good midfield players I can do it, but basically we want to play with wingers."

[callista]

Great interview overall. Jos? seems very confident and relaxed, with a diferent attitude, less belicose.

Yes it is a fabulous interview, very insightful as always from him and I also noticed the different attitude (hopefully!) which will mean less ranting and raving at the referees etc and a more calmer approach to matters.

He needs to keep saying to himself "Jose just let this go, it's not worth getting annoyed".

And end to the so called mind games would be a relief - they are often causing more harm than good at times - to him especially.

[mad_mac]

well, that does it. It's the Diamond all season long!

Although I truly hope we do play a bit wider with some excitement form the wings. It also means that we no longer need fret over which of our wingers may leave. Although Robben still looks a doubt. However, if we were to play with two wingers, then who, out of all our central mids will get to play???

[Guest]

Sidwell may not end up getting a game all season

[mad_mac]

Sidwell may not end up getting a game all season

I feel taht too, or if he does it will be early Cup games

[nikas2000]

However, if we were to play with two wingers, then who, out of all our central mids will get to play???

I guess it would be Lampard and Essien in the two places available in the 4-4-2 with wingers. Jos? did it with good results in a couple of games at the start of last season.

[mad_mac]

but then what about the prmise of Mikel, will he be content to come off the bench time and time again? Also, if this is the case, then surely Sidwell is again showing to eb a completely useless signing.

On another note, does anyone feel that Jose and Roman finally clearing the ari has anything to do with using wingers will now provide Sheva with some service, thus appeasing both Sheva and Roman? You heard it here first, the sun will run with the story next week. JOSE USING WINGERS TO SUIT SHEVA AND ROMAN!

[loz]

I don't see that Scott - if we go back to playing the old 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation then Sheva will be spending more time on the bench then he will care for.

[mad_mac]

I was merely taling about a straight 4-4-2 with wingers and two strikers

[Guest Brian M]

I really think one of the things Roman has said to JM is: "If you want to keep your job, play more expansive, attacking football."

Obviously, he wouldn't have said it as bluntly as that, but I don't doubt that JM left their meeting knowing EXACTLY the sort of football Roman wants us to play.

And for that matter, it's exactly the same way as most of the fans want us to play (no, not like Arse, but certainly none of us would have a problem with us regularly putting 4 or 5 past teams because we're the footballing equivalent of hurricane Katrina...).

And with Malouda in the team, Joe Cole fit, and Robben getting a full pre-season behind him, I see no reason why we can't do just that!

[callista]

but then what about the prmise of Mikel, will he be content to come off the bench time and time again? Also, if this is the case, then surely Sidwell is again showing to eb a completely useless signing.

This does sadden me (for Sidwell) and worries me (for Mikel).

Mikel is such a talent waiting to develop but if he is spending a lot of time on the bench to come on for the odd 20 minutes here and there then he is going to want to leave.

He is a very young player with great potential to be as good as Essien in his own way and we risk possibly having to lose him because of simply being unable to promise himi regular football.

As for Sidwell, I feel sorry for him because his attitude is great and I admire the risk he has taken but his signing is looking more pointless by the day.

He may play for 3 odd weeks during the ANC and possible in some cup games but that's it.

Very sad.

And Malouda does not have to be a replacement for Robben, he can play on either flank it appears.

I really hope Robben agrees a new contract soon.

[g3.7]

hello nikas, nice to see you again.

[nikas2000]

hello nikas, nice to see you again.

Glad to be back posting. Never left the forum though, i do come as often as i can to read what you guys are saying. :)

[Blue Sun Tzu]

I really think one of the things Roman has said to JM is: "If you want to keep your job, play more expansive, attacking football."

Obviously, he wouldn't have said it as bluntly as that, but I don't doubt that JM left their meeting knowing EXACTLY the sort of football Roman wants us to play.

And for that matter, it's exactly the same way as most of the fans want us to play (no, not like Arse, but certainly none of us would have a problem with us regularly putting 4 or 5 past teams because we're the footballing equivalent of hurricane Katrina...).

And with Malouda in the team, Joe Cole fit, and Robben getting a full pre-season behind him, I see no reason why we can't do just that!

I have to agree. And it all points to an exciting season. Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea all placing an emphasis on wing play. Be interesting to see how Jose adapts to different demands. If he can pick up the baton of fluid attacking football full of flair as well as his tried and tested obsession with discipline and a strong defence, he will be able to shut up the detractors who call him boring and will finally be able to lay claim to being the best in the world.

[yogic]

I really think one of the things Roman has said to JM is: "If you want to keep your job, play more expansive, attacking football."

Obviously, he wouldn't have said it as bluntly as that, but I don't doubt that JM left their meeting knowing EXACTLY the sort of football Roman wants us to play.

And for that matter, it's exactly the same way as most of the fans want us to play (no, not like Arse, but certainly none of us would have a problem with us regularly putting 4 or 5 past teams because we're the footballing equivalent of hurricane Katrina...).

And with Malouda in the team, Joe Cole fit, and Robben getting a full pre-season behind him, I see no reason why we can't do just that!

I have to agree. And it all points to an exciting season. Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea all placing an emphasis on wing play. Be interesting to see how Jose adapts to different demands. If he can pick up the baton of fluid attacking football full of flair as well as his tried and tested obsession with discipline and a strong defence, he will be able to shut up the detractors who call him boring and will finally be able to lay claim to being the best in the world.

[TomP]

I never thought I would see it under Jose, but a formation along the lines of:

.......................Cech.................

Ferreira....Carvalho....JT.......Cole

Cole.......Essien...Lamps.......Robben

............Sheva.....Drogba...............

would be a fantastic attacking unit.

We probably won't control the midfield as well as we currently do, but we lost the title last season because, in basic terms, Man United buried teams with 3 or 4 goals, whereas we tried to protect 1-goal leads.

However, if we end up playing a straight 4-4-2, there are a couple of problems.

Firstly, I can see Ballack and Maka becoming very unhappy men. On paper, both deserve a first-team place - but on last season's form they have not DEMANDED a first team place like Essien, Lamps, and argueabley Mikel have. Not to mention Sidwell, who is simply not going to play a single match if this is the way we go.

Secondly, we need 4 strikers. We have Drogbs, Sheva and Pizzaro. Whether Kalou should be included with them is debateable, but I see him as very much more a winger than a striker, so in my opinion, we need to make one more signing.

Personally, I would be absolutely delighted if Roman stepped up and re-established Chelsea's position at the top of the transfer tree in world football, and snapped up Tevez from under the (red) nose of Fergie. Its not too late.

[Guest Brian M]

Personally, I would be absolutely delighted if Roman stepped up and re-established Chelsea's position at the top of the transfer tree in world football, and snapped up Tevez from under the (red) nose of Fergie. Its not too late.

I'd sign that petition, Tom! But if we bought him, we'd realistically want to move Shev on. And I'd be okay with that. Younger legs. More desire. More to prove.

[loz]

I think we are more likely to see Jose and Roman in a love tub then see Jose go for an orthodox 4-4-2 formation, if we see the return to the 4-3-3/4-5-1 there is even less room in the team/squad for a player like tevez then there is now.

Any hopes people have that we were going to, or maybe even still could, sign tevez are pure fantasy - even the rags have failed to link us with a bid for him since the end of last season and this can only be because we, as a club, have absolutely no interest in him.

[Blue Sun Tzu]

Ah now I see that that is a pacifier -- for one moment I thought it was a butt plug. Couldn't have imagined what you were suggesting then!

What's your point? I thought our rift was boring you yet the moment I agree with something Brian says you disapprove. Love the tumbleweed pictures though!!!

[Guest Brian M]

I think we are more likely to see Jose and Roman in a love tub then see Jose go for an orthodox 4-4-2 formation, if we see the return to the 4-3-3/4-5-1 there is even less room in the team/squad for a player like tevez then there is now.

If I'm remembering correctly (?) when Manure play 433 they play Rooney in a withdrawn role off the main striker. And Tevez and Rooney are not disimilar players?* So why wouldn't it work exactly? We play Cole and Kalou there when we play 433, and they're no more 'wingers' than Tevez is, so I don't see the problem? Tevez cutting in from the left for the Hammers last season reminded me a bit of Zola, to be honest. And again, Zola was no more a winger than SWP...

*they certainly fell from the same ugly tree if nothing else!

[loz]

It wouldn't work because last time I checked our manager was a smartly dressed, if slightly unshaven Portuguese bloke and United's is a red nosed, punch drunk Glaswegian - they approach the game differently and Jose is not going to change to accommodate tevez - if we opt for the old 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation and were to play Tevez and Drogba and the two wingers then toy have to drop one of your three central midfielders. Do that are it is a far too attack minded team for Jose without the defensive stability he likes.

[Elliott]

.......................Cech.................

Ferreira....Carvalho....JT.......Cole

Cole.......Essien...Lamps.......Robben

............Sheva.....Drogba...............

This look's like the formation he will be plumping for, Tom. Along with;

.......................Cech.................

Ferreira....Carvalho....JT.......Cole

....Essien......Mikel.......Lamps.....

....Robben....Drogba....Malouda/J.Cole (Alternating wingers).

From reading the interview, i get the distinct impression that Roman has told Jose to stop all the other 'name calling' crap.

I'm very hopeful for the new season.