Manager Jose Mourinho

[The Mercurial No.10]

Very many.
Too many.

But again - my point was that we had the very same issue before as well.
If you ask what has caused it - 3 main things.

1) We haven't had technically briliant player to find good throughballs in the team during this season (Eriksen in 1st half of the season was half-assing, let's face it).
2) We have no acceptable DMs who would be able to support the defense so that we could risk opposite team to have more ball and in turn attack quicker.
3) At the same time with point 2 we have no player who could break the lines with passes / dribbles efficiently enough either.

No issues in team performance are isolated.
I am honestly sad, that we have no strong CDM and that Ndombele is out of form. But it is hard to write such issues as fault of manager who only had 1 short transfer window to work with.

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1. Grealish and Bruno Fernades.
2. Why we signed Ndombele when we were crying out for this type of player in midfield more than any other position since Wanyama was constantly injured is completely mental to me. Biggest misuse of precious transfer net spend in the club's history.
3. Hazard, Willian, Zaha etc...who did we end up with?

You get what you pay for and ENIC are more interested in punting them on for a profit than for their fit or suitability for footballing reasons IMO.

 

[Smogz]

So what you are saying is that Poch had no plan either how to attack. Okay, now we are getting somewhere.

Answer is - no I don't know specifically how Mou wants us to play. Neither I knew it with Poch in last 12-18 months of his tenure as well.

Team was and is out of balance as there is no destroyer in midfielder and no actual creative spark ever since Eriksen lost his desire. I believe it is freakin hard to make such set of players to play good football. But some make it seem as this bunch ever has played it. They haven't and I have no idea which manager would make them play well.

If team is in shambles, it takes time to rebuild it. Ppl were laughing at Klopp after 1,5 seasons as well. His track record then was almost identical with Rodgers first 1,5 seasons. Well no one is laughing now.

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Yes after Poch ditched the high press he didn't seem to know how to play either. And yes Dembele and in form Ericsen is incredibly missed. But I still, after 6 months can't see how Mourinho wants to play. I wish I could.

 

[TeamSpirit™]

N

1. Grealish and Bruno Fernades.
2. Why we signed Ndombele when we were crying out for this type of player in midfield more than any other position since Wanyama was constantly injured is completely mental to me. Biggest misuse of precious transfer net spend in the club's history.
3. Hazard, Willian, Zaha etc...who did we end up with?

You get what you pay for and ENIC are more interested in punting them on for a profit than for their fit or suitability for footballing reasons IMO.

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N’Dombele’s line breaking passes are his strongest asset - he plays the most unique angles in football period; what on earth are you on about?

 

[Guido 🇺🇦]

Yes we were firing in loads of shite crosses especially from Aurier
How many times did he not clear the first man when he had time and space?

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This is our only form of planned attack mate. It all gets a bit predictable and easy to defend against when you know it's coming. (crosses are low % anyway, so best have more up your sleeves than this).

 

[yes]

Man for man. Our players are heads and shoulders above Sheffield United’s players. The difference? Sheffield United are incredibly well drilled defensively. They have a coach who has organised the shit out of their team and every individual knows their roles and responsibility inside out.

Defensively, we looked like an U12’s B team who have just been told to go out there and have fun by the Geography teacher/part-time coach.

Mourinho is responsible for organising our team. Drilling them. Educating them. He is solely responsible for that result last night. He has all the tools at his disposable and that’s the result that we got.

Levy is a fucking mug for signing him.

 

[Guido 🇺🇦]

We should reflect on how every single Spurs player who played with Dembele talks about him like some godly figure. When he was on the pitch they believed that his qualities could help them beat anyone, they saw him as unbeatable. The way Trippier was talking in that recent interview he really believed with all his heart that even a half-done Dembele would have won us the CL final.

The player currently playing in his position is Moussa Sissoko. That sums up our problems. We put all our money and trust in Ndombele and he can't get a game ahead of a carthorse. We are still waiting for our Dembele replacement to arrive, Ndombele seizing his chance was the key to the season and as it hasn't happened, is it really a surprise that things have ended up like this. We didn't spend £65m on him expecting him to play 20 minutes every 3 matches.

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You saw how Lo Celso played last night. In the double pivot next to/just ahead of Sissoko. Sissoko isn't the Dembele replacement, last night the Dembele replacement was Lo Celso. (And vs West Ham).

The problem with Jose is he shackles "that" player. "That" player in the double pivot that under Poch is there to break the oppo lines (with dribbles and passes). Jose has him playing very deep and defensively, it removes all form of creativity and transition in the middle of the park.

 

[The Mercurial No.10]

N

N’Dombele’s line breaking passes are his strongest asset - he plays the most unique angles in football period; what on earth are you on about?

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20 key passes in 25 appearances or so from someone who can't often be arsed keeping up with play, one key pass in his last 7 games when he set up the goal against City (who only had 10 men on the pitch btw). Usually being on as fresh legs too.

Really breaking the lines. 14 assists in 84 appearances for Lyon mostly in a fucking shit league. If he was able to keep up with play he might effect games more.

 

[Yorkshire Yid]

Yes after Poch ditched the high press he didn't seem to know how to play either. And yes Dembele and in form Ericsen is incredibly missed. But I still, after 6 months can't see how Mourinho wants to play. I wish I could.

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To me Mou wants us to play compact at the back with a narrow line then break away at pace on the counter. Issue is that he's being held back by not having a proper RB CDM or CBs who can pass and the issues with Ndombele really haven't helped.

If in the summer we can get a true CDM and a better ball playing CB next to Dier feeding into Ndombele allowing him to then feed a front 4 of Lo Celso Son Berg and Kane we will see a much better side.

Last night Lo Celso had a poor game and was basically swamped by Sheffield as they knew that he was the only who could get us forward. They wasn't pressing Sissoko all game but as soon as Lo Celso got it they was all over him.

It's absolutely no coincidence that in that 30 minute period Sissoko and that muppet Aurier was taken off we had the ball in the net 3 times. With Ndombele on we actually spread the ball out and Lo Celso couldn't be swamped anymore as they actually had to mark someone else. Lamela also contributed to it as as well tbf moving Moura out of that front 3 helped a lot as he's also useless unless he has space to run into.

But I do think Mou made the mistake of keeping Moura on and taking Berg off in all honesty

 

[Bazali]

This is our only form of planned attack mate. It all gets a bit predictable and easy to defend against when you know it's coming. (crosses are low % anyway, so best have more up your sleeves than this).

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I agree

Nearly every cross he put in low which was cleared by the first defender

Another poster mentioned the fact that the Blades knew that our FBs couldn’t cross and were no danger so surrendered the flanks and packed the middle of the field bogging down Gio and Bergwijn etc so Harry and Sonny we’re denied any decent service
Sissoko going forward incapable of providing anything
Moura had a couple of decent runs but continually getting fouled didn’t help
Ref had a poor game but we looked devoid of ideas inspiration or leadership
You could get rid of José which I know you want but would it make any difference with another manager?

Something looks badly wrong as the players mostly didn’t seem to care and they’ve written the season off and it isn’t all down to José as I think this malaise started with our players long before
I hoped that getting shot of Rose and Eriksen might have helped but it doesn’t seem to have made a difference
No pride
No passion
No fight

Worrying times and if they can’t lift themselves for the forthcoming NLD we have real problems

 

[TeamSpirit™]

This is a waste of time. Levy is ultimately to blame for this disaster because he spent the last 2 years avoiding turning over the squad, and that ultimately cost us the best coach we’ve had in the ENIC era.

however in 2020 Mourinho’s methods are outdated, archaic, the players aren’t responding, he sours the mood.

Mourinho is not the first great manager to fail to move with the times; Brian Clough in 93, Capello in 2010, Dalglish in 2012, Wenger In 2018. This happens. The longer he stays the more damage will be done.

 

[Smogz]

To me Mou wants us to play compact at the back with a narrow line then break away at pace on the counter. Issue is that he's being held back by not having a proper RB CDM or CBs who can pass and the issues with Ndombele really haven't helped.

If in the summer we can get a true CDM and a better ball playing CB next to Dier feeding into Ndombele allowing him to then feed a front 4 of Lo Celso Son Berg and Kane we will see a much better side.

Last night Lo Celso had a poor game and was basically swamped by Sheffield as they knew that he was the only who could get us forward. They wasn't pressing Sissoko all game but as soon as Lo Celso got it they was all over him.

It's absolutely no coincidence that in that 30 minute period Sissoko and that muppet Aurier was taken off we had the ball in the net 3 times. With Ndombele on we actually spread the ball out and Lo Celso couldn't be swamped anymore as they actually had to mark someone else. Lamela also contributed to it as as well tbf moving Moura out of that front 3 helped a lot as he's also useless unless he has space to run into.

But I do think Mou made the mistake of keeping Moura on and taking Berg off in all honesty

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Well yes to break away at the counter is good. It's not much of tactics though. How do we attack against a park the bus team? Low defence and break away? How to handle transition from defence to attack against a team that puts pressure on. How to defend against a team that defends low and breaks away?

There isn't any movement in attack, except maybe when on a break. No one to pass, no people running to break up defence, nothing. No deliberate losing balls in tough places for the other team where pressure easily can take it back and create dangerous attacks. It's like watching 10 year olds playing handball. This is on Mourinho and he doesn't have a clue as far as I can see. I think the modern footballing world have left him behind. .

 

[Mariner]

Blame Mourihno

 

[Yorkshire Yid]

Well yes to break away at the counter is good. It's not much of tactics though. How do we attack against a park the bus team? Low defence and break away? How to handle transition from defence to attack against a team that puts pressure on. How to defend against a team that defends low and breaks away?

There isn't any movement in attack, except maybe when on a break. No one to pass, no people running to break up defence, nothing. No deliberate losing balls in tough places for the other team where pressure easily can take it back and create dangerous attacks. It's like watching 10 year olds playing games ball. This is on Mourinho and he doesn't have a clue as far as I can see. I think the modern footballing world have left him behind. .

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Against the low block we have struggled ever since we sold Dembele this is not an issue that's just happened since Mou came in.

And we actually bypassed the press many times first half before they scored yesterday just Moura and Sissoko 3 times saw that we failed to make use of it.

To be effective against both we need new personal simple as IMO. Ndombele on for Sissoko helped a lot because he can actually pass but to be fully effective we need fullbacks who can actually attack.

Gone are the days where we used to stretch teams because they feared giving us the flanks because we had Rose and Walker. Now with Davies (who is fine defensive wise and as a back up) and Aurier the muppet on the flanks they know they can give us space and sit deep in the penalty area because they both need 100 chances to put in 1 good ball.

And defense wise it's fair to say he's done a lot of good work, just yesterday you can't manage players being A) lazy and B) moronic and allowing players to run goal side of the them and just not be aware to danger.

All 3 off there goals yesterday came from the fullbacks allowing someone to run off them and those in the middle either allowing players to stand in the box with 5 yards of space or run goal side to them.

That ain't much the manager can do. When the same players have been making the same mistakes for 2 years and not improving despite 2 coaching teams working with them. You have to start looking at the players not the manager

 

[snowkarl]

I agree

Nearly every cross he put in low which was cleared by the first defender

Another poster mentioned the fact that the Blades knew that our FBs couldn’t cross and were no danger so surrendered the flanks and packed the middle of the field bogging down Gio and Bergwijn etc so Harry and Sonny we’re denied any decent service
Sissoko going forward incapable of providing anything
Moura had a couple of decent runs but continually getting fouled didn’t help
Ref had a poor game but we looked devoid of ideas inspiration or leadership
You could get rid of José which I know you want but would it make any difference with another manager?

Something looks badly wrong as the players mostly didn’t seem to care and they’ve written the season off and it isn’t all down to José as I think this malaise started with our players long before
I hoped that getting shot of Rose and Eriksen might have helped but it doesn’t seem to have made a difference
No pride
No passion
No fight

Worrying times and if they can’t lift themselves for the forthcoming NLD we have real problems

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All true.

This didn't start under Jose, it's been going on for the better part of 3 years, masked by a miracle CL run. The players have given up, they're done mentally and physically and honestly just not good enough.

We have too many players without a brain and all physical, or all technique and no mental strength... the squad is imbalanced and lacks a spine now that our old one has aged out and been sold.

What do we want in our midfielders? None of them are similar players and none of them fit together.... Sissoko is a runner with the worst technique and composure ever, Winks is a water carrier, Lo Celso isn't even a central midfielder, Ndombele is a fat luxury player and who else do we have? Dier?

Our full backs? Oh we've only got 2.... Aurier is OK offensively but a liability at times but could be good in a back 5/3, Davies is a fucking nothing player who wouldn't look out of place at Bristol.
The less said about the central defenders the better... fucking donkeys all of em.

All we have are tricky wingers (who honestly can't pass well... they're all kick and run, even Son) and Kane. Fucking retarded recruitment for years.

 

[JanGinola]

This is now down to Levy, we cannot continue with stale squad of players.

Blame Mourihno

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Can't believe Aurier has the audacity to put his hands up in a strop after it goes in! He was pretty much on a light jog to get back.

Also Sanchez I'm done with. (Actually make that the whole squad). I can't actually believe how lightweight he is.

 

[Airfixx]

1. Grealish and Bruno Fernades.
2. Why we signed Ndombele when we were crying out for this type of player in midfield more than any other position since Wanyama was constantly injured is completely mental to me. Biggest misuse of precious transfer net spend in the club's history.
3. Hazard, Willian, Zaha etc...who did we end up with?

You get what you pay for and ENIC are more interested in punting them on for a profit than for their fit or suitability for footballing reasons IMO.

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1. Grielish is the new Siggurdson
2. Poch hand picked Ndombele
3. Son, Lucas Bergwijn.... (Chelsea hijacked our moves for Hazard & Willian btw.... Blurs your point quite a bit one might rightfully say).

Your closing point is guff.... Poch played a massive part in our choosing players..... You're clearly in denial of this in your hunt for the boogie man.

 

[Fattynomates]

It's not a racial thing. Don't make it into one. The comment was based solely on footballing acumen, attitude and skill and not race.

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Ignore him he is a troll!

 

[rhenkt]

Disappointed at how things have gone so far, but willing to give Jose at least one full season no matter what.

Look at United, Ole was on the verge of the sack and now they're flying. Managers need time.

 

[Fattynomates]

So, our White players are mid table standard and our Black players have bad attitudes and don't belong on a football pitch.

Right oh.

It's rather interesting that most fans see Lo Celso as excellent, hard working and first name on the team sheet. Meanwhile, Ndombele is lazy, bad attitude, fat, unfit.

GLC - 0 goals. 0 assists in 21 games.
Ndombele - 2 goals, 2 assists in 19 games (most of which as a sub).

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Leave your shit stirring for the off topics you absolute fucking cretin!

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[TeamSpirit™]

Man for man. Our players are heads and shoulders above Sheffield United’s players. The difference? Sheffield United are incredibly well drilled defensively. They have a coach who has organised the shit out of their team and every individual knows their roles and responsibility inside out.

Defensively, we looked like an U12’s B team who have just been told to go out there and have fun by the Geography teacher/part-time coach.

Mourinho is responsible for organising our team. Drilling them. Educating them. He is solely responsible for that result last night. He has all the tools at his disposable and that’s the result that we got.

Levy is a fucking mug for signing him.

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It’s a disservice to say Sheffield United are simply defensively good; they might lack pure Consistent quality at the top end of the pitch but they also attack with a coherent plan as well.