Taylor Swift

Edited :lol: 'Apologies for pictures being in black and white, we are suffering from technical difficulties'

Tbh mate, there's no doubt if our defence was considerably bolstered during the first or actually even during the second transfer window, we'd be in a better position than we are now. The fact that our defence can barely pass the ball out of our own half and that we've had to convert a midfielder into an extra defender says a lot.

Tbh, Bramble doesn't have any hope. SBR couldn't get him to fulfill his potential, and now two managers since then have been unable to accomplish the same thing with him. He's not good enough. Luque, on the other hand, well, I'd be prepared to give him a chance just because I'd rather £10m not go down the drain. In the end though, I believe coaching is the key. If a coach drills his players really well, what used to come unnaturally on the pitch (ie. making a timed run etc.) will become a natural habit. Just look at Frank Lampard as a great example of what good coaching can do to a player. He's been drilled to shoot, and obviously has been coached really well in his technique of smacking the ball, and that's why he gets the goals he gets. He's been drilled to hover around the penalty area and look for balls to strike at. Before, he rarely did this because it was unnatural but good coaching can change a lot.

Cried after losing to the Mancs in the FA Cup semis a couple of years back. Got all pumped up after Ameobi made it 3-1 and then when the horseface (iirc) made it 4-1, that was it, the tears came. I had genuinely hoped we would shock the world and make the final. There was just a feeling about that day, a feeling of pride that I felt before the game began. A feeling that we'd do something magical. Fuck me how wrong was I. Haven't been close to tears since and now, I barely flinch when we lose (especially this season). It's just apathy that I feel about the club atm. But like melanchronic said, one day, one day..

I actually agree. The lift that he would give the place would be massive. Even if he's been shown to not be the most tactically astute, at least he can motivate, which is more than what our current manager can do. He's also shown that he can handle the biggest of players and has their respect, which is quite important considering the fact that our two/three previous managers have 'lost' the dressing room (Roeder included).

If we had shown signs of progressing as a team, I would have happily accepted 10th place or wherever we're gonna end up at the end of this year. However, the fact of the matter is that Roeder's just stupid. He's out of his depth and has been shown to be on several occasions (hence the daft team selections and daft-er substitutions/changes). We've only performed well when we have our 'backs against the wall' and when Roeder has no alternative (ie. play the kids). He has no motivational abilities of any sort, which is aptly demonstrated by the fact that whenever we have a full team on, the players seem to think showing up is enough (today is a good example). We only play well when we're under immense pressure and that simply won't do. However, sacking him would just render the past couple of years a total waste which is why he should go back to his old job because he has shown a knack for developing young talent. Then at least there'll be a 'set-up' at the club that might be attractive for any manager - Fred can say 'look, we have a good academy, a decent academy coach, and setting up a scouting network' etc. Better than 'you have to start over and control everything here, have fun!' Minimal progress though it might be, progress it still is.

I came out of this thread looking good not that I wanted to mind you

Ours is only brought up so much because we haven't actually competed again since, and it was our chance at a trophy for the first time in 30 odd years. Manyoo will compete again next year, even if, as I'm hoping, they blow it this year.

That was your question to begin the thread. Then you waffled on about his performance at Chelsea. So what the fuck has he done you ask? He's won the UEFA Cup, the Champions League and a couple of league titles at Porto. That is an acceptable answer to your question, since it was so fucking open-ended, vague and followed up with a rant about his performance at Chelsea, cleverly disregarding his achievements at other clubs. After this other achievements, he then joined Chelsea, whom since then have won their first league title in 50 years, then repeated the win and are now within shouting distance of a 3rd straight league title. That's what he's done.

After today, Chelsea's back in it tbh. If they win the title Mourinho's a legend. No denying that.

what? > Do not want Manyoo to win the title, hate the bastards.

Get in Pompey!!

Cracking header by Taylor. Really nice finish by Martins. Good stuff.

Fabregas hits the bar.

Rob Green having a blinder.

Perhaps I was harsh on his Porto achievement. But that was the basis on which he got this job, he inherited an excellent squad which finished 2nd and reached the Champions League semi-finals and he's had a ton of money since, so that makes him difficult to judge and leads me to suggest his achievements, while good, are not the amazing feat they're made out to be. He's won two leagues and will probably lose this one. I think we can all agree that next season will reveal a lot as I don't see him getting outrageous funds this time around while those around him will enjoy bigger transfer budgets. If he wins it again you've got to hand it to him, but if he loses it then you'd have to suggest there are people who can do a better job. I actually don't hate Mourinho as much as I used to when he first came over to England. He's a good defensive tactician but I think he (and Benitez) could take a leaf out of Ferguson and Wenger's books if they want to dominate this league consistently. I just think Mourinho's a bit overrated. I doubt we'll ever know how he'd cope in England without his fortunes, so it's all conjecture. Of course, he could quit Chelsea and apply for Roeder's job Imo, he's a great manager. Wherever he goes next, he'll probably achieve success, with or without money.

FT 1-0 Chelsea Time for the Toon!

Nearly done now. Really exciting second half imo. Spurs played well. Shame they didn't send Berbatov on earlier.

He needs to win the league back to back for a few years yet. Reason being that the money he has will always be a major factor in his team's success, how you can try and ignore that I don't know. In my book Wenger and Ferguson are world class managers. I also think Benitez is a better manager than Mourinho. I'm not ignoring the fact that he's had money. I'm just concentrating on the fact that he's actually won it twice in a row already, and his achievements with Porto cannot be dismissed by people with this same claim. I like Benitez alot and think he's one of the most tactically astute managers out there, but we'll see next season when he has the money, we'll see whether he's as good as many people make him out to be. If he doesn't win the title, I'm reviving this thread come off it. There's a world of difference between having the money, and having the money to be able to buy the competition, and not give two fucks if you end up paying millions for a Duff () buy, and especially if you don't even need to sell said shit buys. £40m will be enough to strengthen a team with the likes of Carragher, Alonso, Crouch and Gerrard, don't you think?

He needs to win the league back to back for a few years yet. Reason being that the money he has will always be a major factor in his team's success, how you can try and ignore that I don't know. In my book Wenger and Ferguson are world class managers. I also think Benitez is a better manager than Mourinho. I'm not ignoring the fact that he's had money. I'm just concentrating on the fact that he's actually won it twice in a row already, and his achievements with Porto cannot be dismissed by people with this same claim. He did win the UEFA Cup title with them, and then followed that up by winning the Champions League title. There's no disputing that. I like Benitez alot and think he's one of the most tactically astute managers out there, but we'll see next season when he has the money, we'll see whether he's as good as many people make him out to be. If he doesn't win the title, I'm reviving this thread

So what, in your opinion, would he have to do to be classified as 'world class'? And who, in your opinion, is of this 'worldly' class?

Berbatov on. Read an article a few days back, an extract from it... This should be applied to Paul Robinson. Ten fucking minutes after you shoot the ball, he'd dive down to catch it. What a tit of the highest order.

you haven't participated yet give us a situation at Chelsea where he has excelled himself as a person and made a hard decision without recourse to money or reliance on his own players? Also as a bonus, a situation that has gone against Chelsea where he hasn't come out of it looking like a complete cunt It's a lose-lose situation for him, isn't it? If he spends money and wins like he's doing, people accuse of him buying the title. If he doesn't spend the money available, people will say 'what a stupid cunt, has all that money, should buy a new LB, a new RB, a new striker etc. etc.' He's spent money, he's won. Ranieri spent nearly £100m iirc, and he didn't win. Also, his past two titles have been won by absolutely dominating the league and running away with it. Chelsea have been a cut above the rest in the past couple of seasons and Mourinho deserves enormous credit for this.

Shit keeping, have to agree. Dunno why he took all of five minutes to get down for that. Btw, Drogba's been sensational in this half.

blueyes.gif Would love for the Mourinho detractors to answer these interesting questions posed by Mr Purdi.