27 Aug 2013

When Mourinho Parks The Bus It's Tactical Genius

"Tottenham might as well have put the team bus in front of their goal. Sometimes when you are a big club, a very small club comes to your stadium. Tottenham got a point they shouldn't. 

We wanted to play. They didn't. We wanted to score. They didn't. Every time they just kicked the ball away.

It is frustrating for me, my players, for every Chelsea supporter and for every football supporter.

Because people don't pay to see one team play and the other team falling down, demanding to see the medical department. We finished with all our strikers on - Kezman, Duff, Drogba and Gudjohnsen. You don't finish with so many attackers on if the other team are also trying to win it." 

Those are the words spoken by media darling Jose Mourinho back in 2004 following a home draw against London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho was angered that the team from White Hart Lane, departed with a point, claiming that they "parked the team bus" in front of the Chelsea goal, a sarcastic and bitter jibe at Tottenham.

Fast forward to 2013, and Jose Mourinho now in charge of Chelsea for the second time in his managerial career, named a team at Old Trafford that did not have a striker in it, deciding to go with a 6 man midfield, the word hypocrite comes to mind. 

What was so different from what Tottenham did back in 2004 at Stamford Bridge? That day they defended heroically, against a solid Chelsea side, but at least they had Jermaine Defoe upfront as an attacking option. 

This is the same Mourinho who nullified the attacking flair of Barcelona with all-out-defence tactics on his way to winning the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010.

The English media's love affair with Jose Mourinho is pathetic, cringe worthy, it seems that the egotistical Portugese, self proclaimed 'Special One' can do no wrong.

Mourinho says that he feels at home in England, probably because our country's press are happy to constantly massage his ego whilst gazing at him seductively, they hang on his every word, feeding that huge ego by laughing at comments that aren't even that humorous.

It was a completely different story during spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, the Italian and Spanish press never subscribed to the Mourinho love affair, clearly, their media see Jose Mourinho for exactly what he is, a circus act, it does make you wonder why the English press adore him so much.

It seems Mourinho can do no wrong, he seems immune from media criticism. The morning after setting up a hugely negative side at Old Trafford in a 0-0 draw, the media have concluded that this was some sort of Mourinho tactical master class? Flooding the midfield with 6 players and not naming a striker is surly parking the bus isn't it?

In 2009 Mourinho apologised to the Inter Milan supporters who witnessed a goaless draw in a Champions League knock out game against Manchester United at the San Siro, saying - "It is a shame for the fans who have come here and seen a 0-0".

The Daily Mail praised Mourinho the following morning claiming his tactics were 'cautious', not a single mention of the word negativity, which just goes to show that the media find it difficult to pick fault or criticise the Portuguese eye gouger.

Can you imagine if this was the other way around, and David Moyes had fielded a Manchester United side at Stamford Bridge with a 6 man midfield and no upfront outlet? The media would have come down on Moyes like a ton bricks, suggesting that the he is killing football, playing negatively. 

At Old Trafford, David Moyes named Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck in his starting XI, yet the Independent print a headline that reads - 'Jury still out on David Moyes whose selections hint at industry over art', not a single mention of the negative team selection that Mourinho put out at Old Trafford.

It was clear from the first whistle that the Mourinho circus set up his team for a point at Old Trafford, it's just a sad shame that our Jose obsessed media are portraying David Moyes as the clown following this negative act at Old Trafford, pathetically, when Jose Mourinho parks the bus, the English press report it as tactical genius.


@KevinAshford7

5 Aug 2013

Success On The Field, Breeds Arrogance Off It

The start of the much anticipated 2013/14 Barclay's Premier League campaign is fast approaching, and it's been an eye opener as far as negativity and arrogance are concerned when it comes to discussing new Manchester United manager David Moyes and the clubs transfer activity, or shall we say lack of it.

Social media has intensified and fuelled transfer rumours, it seems that some people simply can't get enough of it, it makes it very difficult to identify what is true and what is simply fabricated to help the sale of newspapers from our local convenience store.

This season, is the beginning of a new era at Old Trafford following Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to bring down the curtain on his astonishingly successful 26 year spell at the club. Supporters always knew that this day would come, when it did, and David Moyes was installed as his successor, some were a little underwhelmed by his appointment, these supporters simply don't understand Manchester United's values, the tradition, the history, David Moyes is the man who Sir Alex himself, decided would succeed him, who are we as supporters to question that?

The sceptics were out in full force, "David Moyes?", "Why didn't we go for Jose Mourinho instead?". The appointment of David Moyes is typical of a club like Manchester United, they are looking at the bigger picture, looking at the long term project, there will be no quick fix, no Mourinho circus arriving and pitching up at Old Trafford for a few years to enhance the so called "Special Ones" CV and ego, Moyes will also carry on the tradition of promoting youth from within the club, something Mourinho has never really seemed to be interested in.

Another big change at the club this summer, was also the announcement that Chief Executive David Gill would also be stepping down from his post after 10 years with the club, his replacement was Ed Woodward, a man who has been missing since the 17th of July when he returned from Manchester United's per season tour in Australia to take care of "urgent transfer business".

The new regime at Old Trafford, has seen United making transfer activity public, announcing bids for players, something that never happened in the Ferguson era. Chasing high profile players was always kept on the quite until recently, some sceptics believe it is being used as an advertisement to sell the remaining season tickets at United, I don't believe that for one minute, I actually think its quite refreshing to know what players the club are chasing and are showing an interested in. So what if the deal doesn't happen? Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?

This has been highlighted by United's well publicised pursuit of Barcelona player Cesc Fabregas, with 2 bids already batted back into the Old Trafford court, the media believe United are considering playing a forehand final offer back to the Catalan giants, but why? Most supporters have already come to the conclusion that Fabregas doesn't want to come to United, they don't see the point in the club getting another knock back, they fear the rejection, fear that supporters of other clubs will gain a laugh from it, so what? Rise above it, get over it, the club will move on.

Why would a club like Manchester United be bidding for Cesc Fabregas if they had not had some kind of encouragement from the Spaniards camp, that if a transfer fee could be agreed between the 2 clubs, then Fabregas would be willing to make the move to Manchester? Why also have we heard from every other player and manager on Fabregas' future, but we've heard nothing from the player himself?

It's the media who are hyping up transfer activity, top names will always be linked with Manchester United, it's annoying that supporters show such cringe worthy arrogance suggesting that its unthinkable that a player would turn down the chance of playing at Old Trafford on a regular basis, football has changed dramatically, money has played a huge part.

David Moyes has come in for some unfair criticism in the medial and on social networking sites, these are obviously the supporters who don't attend Old Trafford but seem to have the most ridiculous opinions. Last May for the Swansea match, Sir Alex Ferguson's last game at Old Trafford, Sir Alex passionately spoke into the PA system after the game and told the United faithful "Your job now, is to stand by your new manager", a huge cheer went up, I stood teary eyed in the Stretford End as I threw a fist into the air like most did, yet with only a few "friendly" games under his belt, Moyes is already being criticised?

If Ed Woodward can successfully navigate his way out of the Bermuda Triangle, I'm confident that a big name will arrive at United. Transfer activity is usually kick started by a player leaving, Wayne Rooney's departure could be the spark that gets the transfer fire burning. United would be stupid to let a star player leave without ensuring they have a replacement, that's what could be holding up the club announcing David Moyes' first signing as Manchester United manager.

Success on the field, breeds arrogance off it, maybe some Manchester United supporters have just simply been spoilt over the last 20 years, dont write off David Moyes before he has even managed a competitive game. 

@KevinAshford7