Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Stick or twist?




Stick or twist?



    Various media outlets have touted Jose Mourinho to be relieved of his duties if a loss to Liverpool (in the early lunchtime game) occurs. Personally, I think this is the wrong attitude to have to a man who guided Chelsea Football Club to the Premier League title and Capital One Cup success last season.    

   Whenever somebody questions my thoughts on Mourinho and whether he should be sacked, I always give the same answer. Sir Alex Ferguson, almost was sacked by Manchester United for his run of form early in his reign. In terms of a football manager, how is he regarded witin the footballing community? Their reply, speechless. 

  The same goes for 'The Special One.' I fail to find a manager who had mediocre sides, and turned them into world beaters. Before the name of Pep Guardiola is mentioned, at FC Barcelona, he had, in their prime, Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta, Xavi, Carlos Puyol and so on. Arguably at FC Bayern Munchen, in terms of the Champions League, the team has fallen. Finalists in 2012 and winners in 2013, Pep Guardiola has only managed to get his German giants to the semi-final spot in the past two seasons.

   Back onto 'The Special One.' I have a theory. Although outlandish and strange one, there is a possibility this could be true. Since his rise to world football in 2004, Jose Mourinho has not stayed at a football club for more than three years. Does he think other managers understand his approach, analyse his methods and deploy tactics to outshine him? Mourinho's second year has always been crucial, winning the domestic league. The third season, he either suffers a dip in form or leaves before the season begins. I think he knows the third season at a football club for him is crucial. My theory is that he pushes the players in season two of his reign, to the absolute maximum. Working the players until all they think about is... success. He tells them ''give me 100% this season and next season, I will take the pressure, I will face the media and the critics.'' I repeat, this is just a theory and I have no inside information from the football club. I am almost adamant Chelsea representatives have watched Mourinho closesly and have seen the third season remains a mystery. 

    In terms of the game on Tuesday, Chelsea face a tricky way fixture at Stoke. This rough patch has ruined moods across the country. The fans need to taste victory. Mourinho should go to basics and deploy simplsitic tactics rather than try to 'outskill' or 'outshine' any stars. I would rather win ugly, than lose trying to outfox Xherdan Shakiri. The question remains, can they do it on a cold Tuesday night at Stoke?






Saturday, October 3, 2015

Follow the leader



Follow the leader


   I had a dream. More of a nightmare than a dream. Jose Mourinho would be sacked after some abysmal performances by the Blues. The Special One attempt II, was over. This unconscious thought is becoming more and more of a reality if Chelsea do not turn on the engine and start climbing the Premier League table. How many more games, will the man upstairs allow Jose Mourinho to have, before the Portuguese tactician's head is hanging on a stick? My answer can be counted on one hand.

   This enables me to proceed to the player's performance. With the exemptions of Asmir Begovic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Willian and possibly Kurt Zouma, can the real Chelsea FC, please stand up?  Two months have now passed into the new season and the SW6 side are currently languishing in a mere 14th position in the Premier League. I admired the determination in the 79th minute to gain a point in the fixture however, I saw nothing of note prior to the last ten minutes, to even attempt to score. Strange how football can turn with the click of one's fingers. 

   Players such as Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas really must find another gear otherwise, I see a lovely seat with their names inscribed on the bench.  However, a player who has been getting so much criticism, and still finds his name on the team sheet is vice-captain Branislav Ivanovic. Time and time again, and most notably, the defeat in the Champions League to FC Porto, in mid-week, at the Estadio do Dragao (Dragon's Stadium in Portugal) Ivanovic was caught napping and allowed Yacine Brahimi to cut inside time and time again. The out-of-form Serb surely this time round, must must MUST find his name on the bench. In this current moment in time, I fail to see any positives in the Serbian. 

   The next game is on Saturday 2nd October 2015 against Southampton at home, 5:30 pm UK time  and it is surely time, for Mourinho to bring in the highly rated Baba Rahman to left back, allowing Cesar Azpilicueta to move to his favoured right position. The former, rated one of the best fullbacks in the Bundesliga last term, has barely had any playing time for the Blues. This will surely test him against the pace of Southampton. The last two games ending in 1-1 draw, this time however, I hope Chelsea manage to grind out a win and get the season in the right direction. 



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