Jose Mourinho | 2017/18 Assessments | Poll Added

[amolbhatia50k]

35 points after 16 games. Not near as disastrous as some of you would believe.

Not disasterous. But were you expecting disasterous when we've spent gazillions and, like City, got one of the better managers around. We're 11 behind them though and just look pretty rubbish against them.

 

[Yagami]

I agree about the Lukaku bit. It was one of the worst individual performances I've seen from a United player for some time. That second clearance was schoolboy stuff. He had so much space to his right yet smashes it the other direction to the crowded area. He needed to be taken off.

Yep. I mean, it's good José was showing faith in him but there's a time and a place - not in the middle of a must win game. Lingard, again, did very well and should've finished the match.

 

[kundalini]

Negative tactics. Players unable to play when pressed; looked completely lost. Star signing handed them the match. A complete disaster for Mourinho.

 

[diarm]

Obviously we're unhappy with the style of play and the mindset to send a side out to hoof balls up the pitch all day.

But the bigger issue is, if you're going to coach a side to be a hoof ball team - what the feck are you doing all week that lets then be so fecking bad at it?

Our long ball accuracy, our reading of the ball in the air, our winning of first and second balls is all brutal. We were being out jumped and outmuscled by midgets out there at times today.

 

[Womp]

The approach today is really disappointing. Blaming Pogba’s absence is poor form if anyone is doing that - he’s one bloody player.

Think it’s clear we’ve made progress under Mourinho in certain aspects but for the heights United aim for - really think he’ll be replaced sooner than some think. I don’t enjoy big games anymore - if we win (like we did at Arsenal) it’s a complete surprise to me.

He's one player who is the only one in the squad who can do what he does. He has the ability to win the ball back in midfield, to run with the ball, to play passes into the channels behind the defence. We don't have another midfielder who can do what he does. It's not surprise we look absolutely wank whenever he's not playing.

I said as much as soon as he got carded against Arsenal, we were never going to win this game without him. He's just too important to us. In Herrera and Matic you essentially have two players doing the same role, none of which can make offensive runs.

 

[kouroux]

He's a defense first manager, sadly.

In games we don't have to win I can understand that mindset but not today. Today should have been about going all out from the kick off. He's showed signs of extreme cowardice.

 

[Kapardin]

35 points after 16 games. Not near as disastrous as some of you would believe.

Yep. With two 30 plus something wingers as FBs, a striker at RW and a midfield with Herrera and Fellaini being the only immediate options for Pogba and Matic. I don't know what people expect. Jose's doing a fine job, and like all good managers, he's not perfect - case in study being his tactics against big teams.

We are comfortably 2nd and should do well next season by spending on key areas.

 

[dichinero]

35 points after 16 games. Not near as disastrous as some of you would believe.

Is it number of points that win a title or the point difference?

 

[MJJ]

Horrible mentality from jose, to have ten men in our own half the whole of first half and then not to attack a defense consisting of fernandinho,otamendi and delph? We deserved that loss.

 

[spontaneus1]

Not disasterous. But were you expecting disasterous when we've spent gazillions and, like City, got one of the better managers around. We're 11 behind them though and just look pretty rubbish against them.

Was expected today, city have by far the best midfield int he league and the midfield two of Herrera and Matic just doesn't work. Ultimately meant we where never going to keep hold of the ball and simply didn't counter well enough.

 

[Minimalist]

Not disasterous. But were you expecting disasterous when we've spent gazillions and, like City, got one of the better managers around. We're 11 behind them though and just look pretty rubbish against them.

That’s the thing. To some people you can’t point out that yes the league points are reasonable so far and we’ve played decent football at times but it’s still not good enough. More so, the approach is not only depressing in big games, it doesn’t work very often!

You don’t have to hate Mourinho or love him. It’s just as things stand he’s doing an ‘alright job’ and there will always be a legit question if another manager could do better.

 

[Footyislife]

Where to start. Complained LVG left him a terrible unbalanced squad, yet he's done nothing to fix that. Basically we played with 3 strikers up front with 2 of them asked to play as wingbacks, a less talented park ji-sung, 2 defensive midfielders, and a back 4 with FB's who can't overlap and cross. And then the genius substitution move was to take our only link to midfield off, and play with 4 strikers hoofing the ball. I get that he wants to play on the counter, but if we don't have anyone like Mkhi, Mata, Pogba linking up the play you end up with the garbage we saw today. All that's left then is long ball football

If we are going to play this way might as well get Big Sam, because he for one actually knows how to play long ball. Basically all Mourinho does is organize his team defensively, and then hope Pogba and Co. can make something happen. If it doesn't well then i'm just going single out a player leave him out of the team, until he's willing to run around like a maniac.

Oversimplification, but craziness is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. We watched this same crap football last year. From squad building, to man management, to tactics. Just so poor. I don't blame any player for this loss because it just looked like a bunch of pieces were thrown on to the field. Mourinho has officially sunk worse than LVG in my opinion. At least LVG had a philosophy, as shitty as it was. Mourinho just seems lost and conflicted. When its only the individual talent that's winning you games, you have to question what value your manager brings to the table?

 

[Aboutreika18]

At least at home, in the big games, Jose isn't normally that negative.

Maybe he was afraid of going toe-to-toe and getting spanked but he missed a huge chance to close the gap.

 

[RedStrudel76]

This is going to end one way. He will leave eventually - unless he spends millions on the squad. It's just not good enough for the long term.

We know this is how this story ends. There will be no beauty and the beast ending here. Jose is destined to fail here.

He got sacked by big teams like Real Madrid and Chelsea.. the man might me damaged goods you know?! both of them two big giants both can't be wrong surely..

 

[NinjaZombie]

Ifs and buts never helped anybody unless we want to live in an alternate reality where City didn't exist to make us feel better.

We've scored 36 goals and conceded 11 in 20 matches so far. GD of +26. Chelsea's the nearest to us with +15 and they're the defending champions. City's on another level. They've won all their matches bar one this season, and are undefeated with a GD of +36.

Sometimes you've gotta put your hands up and say another team's just better. All we can do now is keep up the standards we've shown so far and hope they slip up.

 

[Home&Away]

Please just retire asap

 

[acnumber9]

That’s the thing. To some people you can’t point out that yes the league points are reasonable so far and we’ve played decent football at times but it’s still not good enough. More so, the approach is not only depressing in big games, it doesn’t work very often!

You don’t have to hate Mourinho or love him. It’s just as things stand he’s doing an ‘alright job’ and there will always be a legit question if another manager could do better.

If Mourinho is only doing an alright job what are the rest of the league doing?

 

[PoTMS]

Cowardly performance against a big team again. And I’m not counting Arsenal as they’re wank.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

In games we don't have to win I can understand that mindset but not today. Today should have been about going all out from the kick off. He's showed signs of extreme cowardice.

Yep. United should always be positive. We're second in the table and could have been 5 points behind had we won. Besides, clubs of this stature, IMO, should play attacking football.

 

[Womp]

He didn't set out to play defensively. If he wanted to play defensively he would have retained the three at the back and went with a midfield three. He wouldn't have switched to two in midfield and played Rashford and Martial together.

We just looked defensive as we were absolute shite, something that is starting to be consistent with us whenever Pogba isn't playing. We lose all offensive threat and lose the midfield battle. Whenever that happens against a team that presses, you're going to be backs against the wall. You just need to watch Pogba's ball shielding and ability to roll midfielders who press him against Arsenal to see what a difference he would have made today.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

If Mourinho is only doing an alright job what are the rest of the league doing?

Wenger, Pochettino and Klopp? They're spending less.

Conte? He's the champion of England.

 

[100]

Almost every big game this season we've given our opponents far too much respect.

 

[Minimalist]

He's one player who is the only one in the squad who can do what he does. He has the ability to win the ball back in midfield, to run with the ball, to play passes into the channels behind the defence. We don't have another midfielder who can do what he does. It's not surprise we look absolutely wank whenever he's not playing.

I said as much as soon as he got carded against Arsenal, we were never going to win this game without him. He's just too important to us. In Herrera and Matic you essentially have two players doing the same role, none of which can make offensive runs.

I agree with your first point. Why did Mourinho not buy another midfielder then? I mean it all comes back to the manager. Do we expect to lose all our games if Pogba is missing. I said the same thing last season - we need a Pogba back up. Not as good as him but someone who can perform his role.

 

[JohnnyKills]

Negative tactics. Players unable to play when pressed; looked completely lost. Star signing handed them the match. A complete disaster for Mourinho.

Have to agree. Mourinho's bus-parking hoofball just doesn't work.

 

[buckooo1978]

He’s just lost another. How difficult is it to hoof the ball high into the stands?

not if you are composed

not sure how you blame that on Mourinho though - it's a bad day for Lukaku - simple as that

 

[AXVnee7]

I'm not actually that upset with Mourinho today. Not sure why, because his set up was quite cowardly initially. I feel for him to have to set up without Pogba though, and Lukaku basically deflated our spirit.

In my mind we're playing for 2nd place now so we don't have to be so perfect anymore across the season, but I'd like us to try and maintain that standard. Let's see what we can achieve in the domestic cup competitions and see if we can make any statement in Europe.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

We know this is how this story ends. There will be no beauty and the beast ending here. Jose is destined to fail here.

He got sacked by big teams like Real Madrid and Chelsea.. the man might me damaged goods you know?! both of them two big giants ain't wrong..

Time to blame the manager !

TBF Jose deserves all the hate he's getting, his tactics are an insult to this amazing club. It is time for his fanboys to stop saying he don't deserve blame today etc.. he got out-tactics by classy Pep.

Pep is the manager we deserve. Superior in everyway, from his football philosophy to his personality he is turning City into what we was in the 90s - lovely winning football. A Class act.

Time to stop blaming the players and start blaming the driver.

Go back to Blue Moon/Rawk, WUM.

 

[Fracture90]

Tony Pulis is out of job...just saying.

 

[2mufc0]

At least at home, in the big games, Jose isn't normally that negative.

Maybe he was afraid of going toe-to-toe and getting spanked but he missed a huge chance to close the gap.

It makes me worry and ask the question does he have it in him to build a team that can over take city and beat their style of play?

 

[Mindhunter]

In games we don't have to win I can understand that mindset but not today. Today should have been about going all out from the kick off. He's showed signs of extreme cowardice.

We don't have the players to attack City and not risk a rout. That's sadly the case. Mourinho is no fool. A 5-0 drubbing here would have been far more detrimental to the morale of the team.

 

[Hawks2008]

I really don't want to stick the boot in him today because we were outclassed by a better team with a better coach, but that was extremely disappointing. I liked his lineup tbf, thought that by starting Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, and Lingard together was indicative of him maybe going for it. Unfortunately I was wrong. to show no initiative or intent at home until after we've gone 1-0 down is not befitting of Manchester United.

And not having Pogba is not an excuse for throwing out attacking desire out the window. I know it didn't help that Lukaku was playing for City but he should have dragged him after what he did for their second. His refusal to sub him was baffling, the guy needs a spell on sidelines now that Ibra is back. 11 points behind, league gone, we ain't winning the champions league so we're playing for a cup I guess.

 

[Mindhunter]

It makes me worry and ask the question does he have it in him to build a team that can over take city and beat their style of play?

No he doesn't. He isn's Pep Guardiola and he doesn't have a country backing him (that too middle eastern).

 

[Womp]

I agree with your first point. Why did Mourinho not buy another midfielder then? I mean it all comes back to the manager. Do we expect to lose all our games if Pogba is missing. I said the same thing last season - we need a Pogba back up. Not as good as him but someone who can perform his role.

I don't think it's as easy as that. We spent a lot of money in the summer because we had to, midfielders are expensive, considering we were penny pinching for a few million for Perisic maybe it was just a case of us not having enough of a budget left. Contrary to belief, we dont have infinite money to spend. At least that's what I hope the case is.

 

[DWelbz19]

Only he could start two of the most attacking young forwards in football and have them play as second fullbacks.

 

[acnumber9]

Wenger, Pochettino and Klopp? They're spending less.

Conte? He's the champion of England.

And the team above us have spent more to improve an already better team. I think the number of players signed is more important than the price. Though he's done himself no favours with Lukaku and Mkhitaryan win some huge question marks still over Lindelof. So far he's done more good than bad for me but it's a squad that is still short of being good enough to win the league. That was the case before the season started so I don't know what people expected.

 

[automaticflare]

Don't think he is to blame here.
He picked the best players and at the start of the game folks were happy with 4 attackers

We just played awful. 2 awful goals two mistakes terrible.

The problem was we had zero composure anywhere. We never played one good ball into the channels for any of our front 3 to run on to instead they were lofted balls up in the air with no threat. That's ok the players

 

[NinjaZombie]

What kind of defeatist attitude is that? Did Fergie tell himself Wengers Invincibles hadnt lost for 49 matches straight, lets go home boys? We are fecking manchester united, we are meant to lead the way, not hide behind excuses.

So what was he meant to do today? I remember we used to kicked the shit out of Arsenal's invincibles because Fergie recognized that they were the better team technically. I don't think we'd be allowed to do that with the interpretation of the rules these days. Just ask Pogba.

 

[kouroux]

We don't have the players to attack City and not risk a rout. That's sadly the case. Mourinho is no fool. A 5-0 drubbing here would have been far more detrimental to the morale of the team.

So yeah instead of losing 0-5 we lost 1-2, this the mentality of small teams. If you're going to attack your city rival at home then it's a sign you're a pussy, not a pragmatic genius.

 

[Home&Away]

Tired of this squad not good enough bull*; of course we could be with some better players - but the players he would be replacing are players that should be starters for any club that want to play proper football.

Martial & Rashford are not his type of players - proven by the fact he spent half the season consistently keeping one on the bench.

He is much rather suited to buying 2 wingers like perisic & having lukaku upfront like a better version of Everton last season. Will win a trophy or 2 here but sooner or later - he won't be able to change even that & we are left with such a technically deficient squad.

 

[Mindhunter]

I really don't want to stick the boot in him today because we were outclassed by a better team with a better coach, but that was extremely disappointing. I liked his lineup tbf, thought that by starting Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, and Lingard together was indicative of him maybe going for it. Unfortunately I was wrong. to show no initiative or intent at home until after we've gone 1-0 down is not befitting of Manchester United.

And not having Pogba is not an excuse for throwing out attacking desire out the window. I know it didn't help that Lukaku was playing for City but he should have dragged him after what he did for their second. His refusal to sub him was baffling, the guy needs a spell on sidelines now that Ibra is back. 11 points behind, league gone, we ain't winning the champions league so we're playing for a cup I guess.

Agree with most of it. Ibra isn't ready yet as confirmed by Mourinho. We can't risk another injury which would definitely result in his retirement.