The College Dropout

I believe Mourinho is a little over-rated tactically but he got yesterday spot-on. More than a few times at Madrid he looked like he had been sussed. I still think his teams struggle against others that are equally as athletic and his last couple teams are overly reliant on counter-attacks. The big difference for me yesterday was the gulf in quality between Matic/Mikel and Fernandinho/Demichelis

They won't win the league or CL under Moyes because he simply isn't capable of managing a team to play the kind of football or game required to win it. He's a better version of Pardew. He worries about conceding and losing more than scoring and winning. He sets his teams up to not lose, to work hard, nick a win etc. He favours hard working players than flair players. Furthermore h lacks the character to manager them. He doesn't have the strength of mind, strength of conviction etc. I mean, he is an average manager to be fair. That's Mourinho too. Mourinho also played pretty defensive/counter attacking football to win both his CL titles.

I blame Pardew for a lto of things and he's no Wenger when it comes out improving players. But it's not all his fault, if you want to improve you will.

Look back through this thread. He goes from being the next Zidane to the next Carlton Palmer and back on about a 2-3 week cycle. Yep. For all his limitations he's a very decent player. Out-wide or in the middle. I was very critical of him when he had that extended run at #10 but overall he's been pretty good this season.

Probably. A better and more difficult question is, has he ever made a strong tackle? Has he ever showed real determination? Has he ever RAN back when caught out of position instead of jogging back?

Tbf a determined like Cabaye did improve.

He didn't slide to block Armstrong's shot, his effort was half-hearted. I've seen him do it before, and I'm not sure you can coach that into a player. He's definitely a passive footballer. Not helpful for a LB at all.

And then you factor in that it appears we have been flogging him for the last few weeks to any club with a fax machine, and his morale must be rock bottom. What was his excuse for half arsing before? We would do excellent to get so much money for him but i'm not happy at all. He won't be replaced for 2 windows.

We turned down 8m for this lad? What?

This I would agree with. Especially a French international midfielder.

Jenas was a good athlete too. That's it really. Jenas rarely ever used it. Sissoko does. Jenas looked much better technically.

Bang average, not terrible.

One of him or Ainta (or both) is going to have to attempt longer, more penetrative balls now we don't have Cabaye or anyone capable of playing #10 (Marveaux doesn't count). And it's going to be an ugly sight. That's what made the Perch/Tiote partnership so woeful (the Guthrie/Tiote combo was decent fwiw). Perch passing was even more basic than Tiote's. Someone had to attempt an ambitious ball and Tiote won't hide. However, it will be ugly.

Was at the Barcelona game on Saturday. Even though he had an off day Messi's close control and dribbling is absolutely amazing to watch in person. Jordi Alba was terrible all afternoon. Played like he had money on himself getting sent off. I've seen Fabregas live a few times and I've never seen him play so poorly. Valencia superb all second half. Only looked to have any belief of a result after the equaliser. Very impressed by some of their counter attacks. Piatti impressive.

Handbags

Wow. What a goal. Impressed with Madrids pressing with second balls. Ronaldo red. Wow. In minutes it's gone to pot.

The long passing isn't his game at all.

We've basically signed the Dutch Cisse in terms of this seasons game time. Was never going to go well today. Should've sorted the transfer out by Jan 2nd and he might've built up some form, confidence and sharpness for today's game.

He plays like a lazy winger. I've said before I hate his 'passive' style. He's the type if man to cruise through life without great effort or determination. I said against City he was the only one that didn't rise or seem heated after the disallowed goal. 'Tempo' or urgency - he has none. I've never seen him out in a tough tackle. I missed the game but I know what to expect of a Santon performance.

I've been abroad for this fixture 2 years in a row. So glad I've missed thus massacre again. I was surprised last time. I saw it coming a mile off this times and it's because of this man. Our season ended as soon as we got to 30 points so early. Sell the star man. Cash in. Fuck everything else. As inept as the Sunderland board are. At least they genuinely try. And that's enough to give the fans done level of hope. The board want then to do well on the pitch, win derbies win trophies. At least try to do those things. 8th in the league is perfect for Ashley nothing else matters. FS didn't know what he was doing but at least he cared.

I believe Mourinho is probably over-rated in England as a coach, tactician, mind-game player the lot. But his textbook psychology is working a treat. The smart thing Fat Sam could do is point out what Mourinho is doing but that would downplay his sides performance (which he shouldn't do) and down play his own "achievement" which he would never do.

Both. He's the scapegoat. They've sold his best player. Now he's heading into the derby with our rivals picking up important wins. Saturday is really it for the season. Massive pressure.

It's a bit worrying that this season we are down a number of players with only two in on loan. Our season is over anyway so unless we make those loans permanent they will count for little for the remainder of the season.

Sell ALL the players.

Sunderland will win the league cup 1-0 or win/get to the final of the FA Cup. Can feel it in every fibre of my being.