re: Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho faced identical circumstances today

I didn't understand the tactics from the beginning. Starting Ramires instead of Willian was just a head scratcher to me. Chelsea was at home and this has to hurt. I hurt a lot as an Arsenal fan, but man, I really think this was all on Jose. If Willian starts and they are up a man, this would have been over.

quote:

---

Starting Ramires instead of Willian

---

Yea didn't get that either.

quote:

---

I didn't understand the tactics from the beginning

---

I think we started off ok, I think the red card ended up hurting us mentally and we lost our edge and just expected it to happen. Though there is no excuse for that.

quote:

---

this has to hurt

---

It doesn't hurt like Barca 09, it's much more a feeling of disgust and anger. We didn't deserve it or play like we wanted it.

quote:

---

We didn't deserve it or play like we wanted it.

---

Which is odd... Usually Mourinho teams are always motivated. My view is that he'll use this effectively to win the league, but I think there is something structurally wrong with the team. I think it's an issue of balance that doesn't get exploited in league play very often but still exists regardless.

What would you say structurally? We weren't giving up a ton of chances in open play, nor really giving up long stretches of possession. The two goals came off corners, something that is just unlike Chelsea. I'd say we need the midfielder with the willingness to go at goal. We have too many fancy feet and not enough direct players. This is a game we missed Schürrle. I'm not sure what other players we could bring in over the Summer to fix this but we definitely need the dagger midfielder who can make the shot from outside the box.

quote:

---

What would you say structurally?

---

quote:

---

I'd say we need the midfielder with the willingness to go at goal.

---

I think you answered your own question there.

As for the defending of set pieces I can't answer for that one it makes no sense. We are awful at it though and our inability to defend a lead is ridiculous.

I really wouldn't be surprised if this team pisses away the league if City mount any sort of challenge.

quote:

---

Talk to you in a few months then

---

Good luck, better hope Ibra is back asap (and he should be and I hope he is) because Cavani is putrid.

quote:

---

Jose's biggest weakness is sitting on leads

---

On the other hand though his biggest strength in the past has also been protecting them and it's worked for him far more than not.

However, for whatever reason this team just can't do it and Jose has not adjusted to that. Almost every big game we have dropped points in this year we have gone up in and failed to put away. It's beyond frustrating.

quote:

---

On the other hand though his biggest strength in the past has also been protecting them

---

True. Like you said though, he needs to be able to adjust to his team. This isn't the same Chelsea team that'll fight til the death to preserve a 1 goal lead or draw. Gotta either make sure you have the right personnel or switch it up to mirror your team's DNA.

quote:

---

if City mount any sort of challenge

---

City are seventh in the form table. Not happening.

quote:

---

True. Like you said though, he needs to be able to adjust to his team. This isn't the same Chelsea team that'll fight til the death to preserve a 1 goal lead or draw. Gotta either make sure you have the right personnel or switch it up to mirror your team's DNA.

---

Completely agree and I said exactly the same thing in the Chelsea thread like a month ago. He still hasn't done it and it continues to cost us.

Posted 2/17

quote:

---

I love Jose but he has got to change his approach in games where we take a 1-0 lead with this squad. For whatever reason they can not kill the games off like his great Chelsea teams of a decade ago just by sitting back on the lead and defending.

So many big games this year we have gone ahead only to draw 1-1 (City twice, United) or in some cases get end up getting thrashed (Spurs and Bradford).

---