Leaving the ground following the Chelsea victory over United it was hard not to feel anything but delight. This was a methodical performance, the team completely negated one of the league's in form sides, who a week ago put four past Manchester City. On this occasion, United looked lost on the ball, Kurt Zouma marked Marouane Fellaini out of the game from the first minute and despite having 70 percent of possession throughout the match, the team in red looked bereft of ideas.
The majority of their possession was at the feet of a defensive trio in Paddy McNair, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia at the half way line. There was not a single clue between them as to how they could breakdown Chelsea, now that lobbing the ball up to Fellaini was no longer an option. In the end the two centre backs decided pot shots from thirty yards out would be the best solution. It really wasn't.
With that in mind, it came as somewhat of a shock to read on my timeline that Chelsea fans should feel embarrassed by the performance or that for some reason we should not be proud of that win. It wasn't the performance of champions. These are the rambling of football's alleged purists, rooting out the evil, enemy of the game that is Jose Mourinho. In reality, the problem isn't Mourinho, it is the self-righteous, naive mind that thinks a pragmatic performance is anything but the right way to play football.
Football is, after all, the only sport that so thoroughly chastises those who excel at defending. For those who need reminding, defending is half the game. Imagine a boxer being criticised for not allowing his opponent to hit him. Floyd Mayweather, boxing's most technically proficient fighter, will hereby be known as "The Anti Boxer". Imagine thinking the Seattle Seahawks are an enemy of the NFL as opposed to the embodiment of it. Or that San Antonio's empire in the Tim Duncan era should be forgotten because they can defend their own half of the court.
It is strange that those who champion the right way of playing football fail to understand the importance of strategy. It is absurd to think that there can be no satisfaction in grinding out victories. Tell that to the 40,000 inside Stamford Bridge and every single one of them would laugh: that performance was nothing short of incredible. The scoreline was the perfect reflection of how the game panned out -- only one team ever looked like they'd find a way though. It is no surprise that even with only 30 percent possession the next best chance in the game aside from the goal fell to Chelsea and Eden Hazard when his acrobatic effort struck the post from a tight angle.
As a winner, Mourinho's methods are second to none. The idea that his approach to big games is that of a small club mentality is so unbelievably narrow minded, that it pains me to see people failing to understand the beauty of it. This is not the same style of play as an underdog, praying that through sheer force of will and desperate defending, they can keep the onslaught at bay for ninety minutes. Sure, there are the odd occasion when this will work out in their favour, when Mourinho classed West Ham's football as 19th Century, it felt like a compliment more than an insult. Yet, at the end of the day that result was as much down to good fortune and a heroic effort in goal by Adrian than anything else. West Ham's subsequent efforts at stifling the Chelsea attack with mere numbers has failed. It is why Brendan Rodgers' comment that "Defending is easy" was so way off the mark (much like the rest of the league's challenge for the title).
I for one think it is sad to see so many disregard half of the game in the way they do towards defending. Sure, free flowing, attacking football is perhaps at its best in this generation. However, a failure to admire those who stand against the tide, beating away everything thrown at them is not a sign of championing the beautiful game, it is blind ignorance.
Soaking up pressure for ninety minutes in the way that Mourinho's sides do, is not easy. It takes an unbelievable amount of discipling and skill to perform. Mourinho's so called negative tactics have yielded unparalleled positive results. Ultimately it boils down to efficiency. Mourinho believes that his side can do more with 30 percent of the ball than the opposition can do with 70%. Most of the time, he's right. Most of the time, he wins. This isn't David vs. Goliath, this is the Ali "Rope-a-Dope" played out to perfection. This is a masterclass in counter punching.
It is rather comical that Mourinho is portrayed as a pantomime villain, the Dementor of football, sucking the life force out of the game. While, his approach may not be easy on the eye for a neutral, it is not Mourinho's fault that the purist brigade are out with their pitchforks and torches after every victory he oversees, failing to appreciate the complexity of the game. Mourinho positions his players as if they were pieces on a chessboard. You have to react to the opposition, life is a series of checks and balances. In football no one understand this better than The Special One.
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8452001/jose-mourinho-chelsea-vs-manchester-united
Superb,and as I said earlier,defending and world class keepers win games....................all out attack is mindless,and suicidal,tactically.
Remember too,we have a 37 yr old man up front,and with a fit Costa,who knows how well we could be playing.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Stubborn idealist are what will ruin this game, not manager's who actually appreciate the tactical side.
I would honestly rather Pulis or Big Sam as Chelsea manager than a Brendan, Pellegrini or any off those muppets who think there's only one way to play.
Jose is with out doubt one of world club footballs best managers.
He understands that when you play a side which is in better form , has the advantage or simply better you must change your footballing strategy to compete and win.
We experienced AvB which was incredibly difficult to watch. Pretty football but you never knew what was going to happen. Two nil and you still weren't sure if we were going to win.
Can see why Jose couldn't keep Luiz
"Ultimately it boils down to efficiency. Mourinho believes that his side can do more with 30 percent of the ball than the opposition can do with 70%."
....spot on
Good read
But, don't expect rival fans to agree with you
That article pretty much sums up my thoughts. This Chelsea team is very dangerous that it can adjust and make changes to get a result. And when you have a Manager like Mourinho who looks at every detail and possible situation, your chances of winning are really high. And the scary thought for future challengers is that this Chelsea team is only going to get better.
I've got no problems with Mourinho setting up like that in big games. I'm probably one of the few United fans that don't. I think most people expected it to pan out like that (didn't expect so much of the ball though). Its what Mourinho does in the big games. Set up not to lose. If you can nick it fine, but the priority is to give nothing away. No problem from me.
The end justifies the means, as unattractive as it is, but keep it tight in the big games and back yourself to beat inferior opponents. But its not like you set up like this every game. I've seen you be quite open and, shock horror, quite attacking earlier in the season.
The only problem is that when teams such as WHU set up against you like you did yesterday, Jose berated them.
comment by Unknown Poster (U15867)
posted 7 minutes ago
I've got no problems with Mourinho setting up like that in big games. I'm probably one of the few United fans that don't. I think most people expected it to pan out like that (didn't expect so much of the ball though). Its what Mourinho does in the big games. Set up not to lose. If you can nick it fine, but the priority is to give nothing away. No problem from me.
The end justifies the means, as unattractive as it is, but keep it tight in the big games and back yourself to beat inferior opponents. But its not like you set up like this every game. I've seen you be quite open and, shock horror, quite attacking earlier in the season.
The only problem is that when teams such as WHU set up against you like you did yesterday, Jose berated them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually like the article alluded to their was a massive difference between the two.
I was at The Bridge that night and the pattern was the same, we attack, Collins blocked or Adrian save, defence hoof to Carroll, JT or Cahill sweep up rinse and repeat, we have never been that defensive, ever.
Brilliant article
I've noticed a lot recently that we are getting more and more hate towards us from all sides and its all because of the media witch hunt.
Shame these people can't think for themselves...
Makes you appreciate how lucky we are to have Jose.
Mourinho 99 times out of 100, gets his tactics spot on. It's not a coincidence that he has done this many times before and will do so many times in the future.
Even when he wasn't with us the way he set Inter up to win that Champions League Final was a masterclass. Even the 2 games against us earlier in the competition he out-thought and out-manoevered Ancellotti in both games and made Carlo look naive.
Chelsea fans in massive denial
Their desperate justifications are proof that even theg are embarrassed.
Fair enough playing this way... but playing this way having whilst possesing a billion pounds worth of talent is disgraceful.
You have brought one of the most creative players in the league, have a skilled talent nailed on for POTY and a couple Brazillians yet park the bus at home lmao embarrassment for the rest of the league to let such an awful side to watch win the league.
What makes it worse is Jose blasting other coaches (like Sam) that do similar when they have even less a chance matching you than you do against anyone else lol double standards and you're obviously all in denial when deep down you'd love to be able to watch your team play fluently lol.
The world will forever remember The Invincibles, City 2012 etc.. dor winning the league in style. With all you spent you are up there with the worst title winners of all time
They are embarrassed*
For winning*
The invincibles that parked the bus at home to Birmingham to protect their record
I hear just a scared little gooner
Sign in if you want to comment
One of the best articles I have read for a
Page 1 of 3
posted on 19/4/15
Leaving the ground following the Chelsea victory over United it was hard not to feel anything but delight. This was a methodical performance, the team completely negated one of the league's in form sides, who a week ago put four past Manchester City. On this occasion, United looked lost on the ball, Kurt Zouma marked Marouane Fellaini out of the game from the first minute and despite having 70 percent of possession throughout the match, the team in red looked bereft of ideas.
The majority of their possession was at the feet of a defensive trio in Paddy McNair, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia at the half way line. There was not a single clue between them as to how they could breakdown Chelsea, now that lobbing the ball up to Fellaini was no longer an option. In the end the two centre backs decided pot shots from thirty yards out would be the best solution. It really wasn't.
With that in mind, it came as somewhat of a shock to read on my timeline that Chelsea fans should feel embarrassed by the performance or that for some reason we should not be proud of that win. It wasn't the performance of champions. These are the rambling of football's alleged purists, rooting out the evil, enemy of the game that is Jose Mourinho. In reality, the problem isn't Mourinho, it is the self-righteous, naive mind that thinks a pragmatic performance is anything but the right way to play football.
Football is, after all, the only sport that so thoroughly chastises those who excel at defending. For those who need reminding, defending is half the game. Imagine a boxer being criticised for not allowing his opponent to hit him. Floyd Mayweather, boxing's most technically proficient fighter, will hereby be known as "The Anti Boxer". Imagine thinking the Seattle Seahawks are an enemy of the NFL as opposed to the embodiment of it. Or that San Antonio's empire in the Tim Duncan era should be forgotten because they can defend their own half of the court.
It is strange that those who champion the right way of playing football fail to understand the importance of strategy. It is absurd to think that there can be no satisfaction in grinding out victories. Tell that to the 40,000 inside Stamford Bridge and every single one of them would laugh: that performance was nothing short of incredible. The scoreline was the perfect reflection of how the game panned out -- only one team ever looked like they'd find a way though. It is no surprise that even with only 30 percent possession the next best chance in the game aside from the goal fell to Chelsea and Eden Hazard when his acrobatic effort struck the post from a tight angle.
As a winner, Mourinho's methods are second to none. The idea that his approach to big games is that of a small club mentality is so unbelievably narrow minded, that it pains me to see people failing to understand the beauty of it. This is not the same style of play as an underdog, praying that through sheer force of will and desperate defending, they can keep the onslaught at bay for ninety minutes. Sure, there are the odd occasion when this will work out in their favour, when Mourinho classed West Ham's football as 19th Century, it felt like a compliment more than an insult. Yet, at the end of the day that result was as much down to good fortune and a heroic effort in goal by Adrian than anything else. West Ham's subsequent efforts at stifling the Chelsea attack with mere numbers has failed. It is why Brendan Rodgers' comment that "Defending is easy" was so way off the mark (much like the rest of the league's challenge for the title).
I for one think it is sad to see so many disregard half of the game in the way they do towards defending. Sure, free flowing, attacking football is perhaps at its best in this generation. However, a failure to admire those who stand against the tide, beating away everything thrown at them is not a sign of championing the beautiful game, it is blind ignorance.
Soaking up pressure for ninety minutes in the way that Mourinho's sides do, is not easy. It takes an unbelievable amount of discipling and skill to perform. Mourinho's so called negative tactics have yielded unparalleled positive results. Ultimately it boils down to efficiency. Mourinho believes that his side can do more with 30 percent of the ball than the opposition can do with 70%. Most of the time, he's right. Most of the time, he wins. This isn't David vs. Goliath, this is the Ali "Rope-a-Dope" played out to perfection. This is a masterclass in counter punching.
It is rather comical that Mourinho is portrayed as a pantomime villain, the Dementor of football, sucking the life force out of the game. While, his approach may not be easy on the eye for a neutral, it is not Mourinho's fault that the purist brigade are out with their pitchforks and torches after every victory he oversees, failing to appreciate the complexity of the game. Mourinho positions his players as if they were pieces on a chessboard. You have to react to the opposition, life is a series of checks and balances. In football no one understand this better than The Special One.
posted on 19/4/15
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8452001/jose-mourinho-chelsea-vs-manchester-united
posted on 19/4/15
Superb,and as I said earlier,defending and world class keepers win games....................all out attack is mindless,and suicidal,tactically.
Remember too,we have a 37 yr old man up front,and with a fit Costa,who knows how well we could be playing.
posted on 19/4/15
Hear Hear .
posted on 19/4/15
posted on 19/4/15
Good read.
posted on 19/4/15
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/4/15
Stubborn idealist are what will ruin this game, not manager's who actually appreciate the tactical side.
I would honestly rather Pulis or Big Sam as Chelsea manager than a Brendan, Pellegrini or any off those muppets who think there's only one way to play.
posted on 19/4/15
Jose is with out doubt one of world club footballs best managers.
He understands that when you play a side which is in better form , has the advantage or simply better you must change your footballing strategy to compete and win.
posted on 19/4/15
We experienced AvB which was incredibly difficult to watch. Pretty football but you never knew what was going to happen. Two nil and you still weren't sure if we were going to win.
posted on 19/4/15
Spazzle says 5
posted on 19/4/15
Can see why Jose couldn't keep Luiz
posted on 19/4/15
"Ultimately it boils down to efficiency. Mourinho believes that his side can do more with 30 percent of the ball than the opposition can do with 70%."
....spot on
posted on 19/4/15
Good read
But, don't expect rival fans to agree with you
posted on 19/4/15
That article pretty much sums up my thoughts. This Chelsea team is very dangerous that it can adjust and make changes to get a result. And when you have a Manager like Mourinho who looks at every detail and possible situation, your chances of winning are really high. And the scary thought for future challengers is that this Chelsea team is only going to get better.
posted on 19/4/15
I've got no problems with Mourinho setting up like that in big games. I'm probably one of the few United fans that don't. I think most people expected it to pan out like that (didn't expect so much of the ball though). Its what Mourinho does in the big games. Set up not to lose. If you can nick it fine, but the priority is to give nothing away. No problem from me.
The end justifies the means, as unattractive as it is, but keep it tight in the big games and back yourself to beat inferior opponents. But its not like you set up like this every game. I've seen you be quite open and, shock horror, quite attacking earlier in the season.
The only problem is that when teams such as WHU set up against you like you did yesterday, Jose berated them.
posted on 19/4/15
comment by Unknown Poster (U15867)
posted 7 minutes ago
I've got no problems with Mourinho setting up like that in big games. I'm probably one of the few United fans that don't. I think most people expected it to pan out like that (didn't expect so much of the ball though). Its what Mourinho does in the big games. Set up not to lose. If you can nick it fine, but the priority is to give nothing away. No problem from me.
The end justifies the means, as unattractive as it is, but keep it tight in the big games and back yourself to beat inferior opponents. But its not like you set up like this every game. I've seen you be quite open and, shock horror, quite attacking earlier in the season.
The only problem is that when teams such as WHU set up against you like you did yesterday, Jose berated them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually like the article alluded to their was a massive difference between the two.
I was at The Bridge that night and the pattern was the same, we attack, Collins blocked or Adrian save, defence hoof to Carroll, JT or Cahill sweep up rinse and repeat, we have never been that defensive, ever.
posted on 19/4/15
Brilliant article
I've noticed a lot recently that we are getting more and more hate towards us from all sides and its all because of the media witch hunt.
Shame these people can't think for themselves...
Makes you appreciate how lucky we are to have Jose.
posted on 19/4/15
Only just noticed
posted on 19/4/15
Mourinho 99 times out of 100, gets his tactics spot on. It's not a coincidence that he has done this many times before and will do so many times in the future.
Even when he wasn't with us the way he set Inter up to win that Champions League Final was a masterclass. Even the 2 games against us earlier in the competition he out-thought and out-manoevered Ancellotti in both games and made Carlo look naive.
posted on 19/4/15
Excellent article
posted on 20/4/15
Chelsea fans in massive denial
Their desperate justifications are proof that even theg are embarrassed.
Fair enough playing this way... but playing this way having whilst possesing a billion pounds worth of talent is disgraceful.
You have brought one of the most creative players in the league, have a skilled talent nailed on for POTY and a couple Brazillians yet park the bus at home lmao embarrassment for the rest of the league to let such an awful side to watch win the league.
What makes it worse is Jose blasting other coaches (like Sam) that do similar when they have even less a chance matching you than you do against anyone else lol double standards and you're obviously all in denial when deep down you'd love to be able to watch your team play fluently lol.
The world will forever remember The Invincibles, City 2012 etc.. dor winning the league in style. With all you spent you are up there with the worst title winners of all time
posted on 20/4/15
They are embarrassed*
For winning*
posted on 20/4/15
The invincibles that parked the bus at home to Birmingham to protect their record
posted on 20/4/15
I hear just a scared little gooner
Page 1 of 3