How about the managers who manage clubs that haven't had half a billion to spend in building the team in the last few years?

you should really wait for the 2nd leg and see how AM play that game before posting this.

Expensive and experienced does not mean better.

Torres cost £30m more than Suarez.

What does budget have to do with how a team sets up to play an opponent?

Yet another stupid article from a moronic kent.

It's a cowardly way to play. It's basically being afraid of the opponent hurting you.

comment by Ronaldinho - Messi - Neymar (U12335)
posted 5 minutes ago
It's a cowardly way to play. It's basically being afraid of the opponent hurting you.


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There's a reason why ultra-defensive football isn't accepted at established big clubs for prolonged periods of time.

Chelsea are basically a big Sam team with a bottomless pit of cash, i literally cannot stop myself from falling asleep during a chelsea Game. It's a joke!

There's a reason why ultra-defensive football isn't accepted at established big clubs for prolonged periods of time.
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That must mean by default that Liverpool are not an established big club because before this season they have been playing dire football for the last 10 years.

If it wins games, or ties, then it works, and is a legitimate strategy.

Yes it's not exciting, but if it works, why change it? I don't buy into the mantra that there is a "right" way to play football, and I doubt Chelsea fans care if its perceieved as "negative football" (another phrase that irks me).

Don't get me wrong, I love watching us bang in 3-4 goals a time the majority of the time, and I do find Chelseas approach to big games a bore to watch, but to say a style "isn't accepted at established big clubs" smacks of an arrogance that is usually reserved for Barcelona fans.

I say well done to Chelsea for preventing Atletico from scoring, and I'm sure Mou's relishing the return leg in which there is no doubt he'll go for the win, which he is perfectly capable of doing.

A side note, whats with all the Chelsea threads on our board? It's starting to look like the bloody Spurs board the amount we go on about other teams.

Because we play them in a few days.

It's not about style, it's about the cowardly approach. Why not actually play a bit of football, take some risk. Instead of just killing the entire game - removing all creativity then throwing demba ba on and the big men up for a corner or set piece.

i could understand the approach from a lower league team against a big cllub in the FA cup for example. But Chelsea have one of the best teams in the world.

A side note, whats with all the Chelsea threads on our board? It's starting to look like the bloody Spurs board the amount we go on about other teams.
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I only post on the Liverpool, United and Arsenal board. They seem to have a lot more traffic than the Chelsea/City ones. And a lot of fans of other clubs frequent our board too.

Yes but these threads are pointless, Mou chatting about fielding a weakened team and people have gone nuts. Shock horror, Mous said something to get a reaction and by God it's worked again. People going on about how no one falls for his "mind games" yet hear people are, chatting about his comments. I'd rather just focus on our team and get behind the reds rather then chat about what Mou said to the press.

I disagree with you that it's a cowardly approach. For me the defensive game that Mou sets up is a masterclass on it's day. Yeah they've spent money on attacking players but you can see they all work for the team, they will track back no end to win the ball back and it frustrates teams to the point where they take a risk too far and Chelsea grab a goal on a counter/corner/set piece.

If it was as simple as you put it, then Stoke (before Hughes), West Ham and the like would be top of the league. But they aren't. Chelsea aren't one dimensional, they are clearly capable of scoring lots of goals (third highest in the league), and if their approach wins them ties and games, as I have said, then it is a legitimate strategy.

With all that money at their disposal though?

Good defense is key and there us an art to defending but why take it to such an extreme?

It's not just about Mourinho, it's about the last couple of season in europe.

Chelsea played fantastic football in 2004-07 and under Ancelotti - it just bemuses me the way they've played over the last 3 seasons.

But fair enough, i suppose if the fans, owner and team are happy with it then what does it matter what i think.

Just voicing an opinion that's all.

Ey mate, I'm all about differing opinions, all I've done was state mine, doesn't mean it's right or wrong in the grand scheme of things. It's what these forums are for at the end of the day, debate!

And I debate all the time! A mass debater if you will!

why do we care what chelsea do?

it isn't any of our business how chelsea play football

people get annoyed when people say liverpool's style won't work in europe next season, well, what's the difference between this thread and those types of comments?

The main reason is that i really enjoy watching CL knock out games and its been a little disappointing so far this year. Especially from the English contingent.,

I also remember a certain Jose Mourinho hammering West Ham for playing '19th century football'.

The problem is not football. The problem is there are too many FIFA playing teens on these boards, and elsewhere, who think every game of football should involve ten goals or more. They don't remember the "good old days".

i can appreciate a good defensive performance but Chelsea have become a parody of themselves.

And with regards to my football knowledge and experience -Whilst i don't play now, I was at Blackburn Rovers Academy for 2 years as a young lad and played Semi-pro with Bamber Bridge up until last year. so im not some Fifa playing teen with no real football knowldge