A difference in style

[Spike]

Obviously with our relative league positions almost assured and with nothing else to play for, apart from the playing out the games to ensure the mathematical probablities of those positions are retained / improved, the focus this past week must have been the FA cup clash.

 

A chance at a second trophy for both teams.

 

The work done, the teams selected and the strategies honed it was down to the selected players to do the job and to see out the fruits of the managerial labour of the previous week(s).

 

The opening exchanges fell to Chelsea's favour but we soon composed ourselves, found our gameplan and went into the break 1-0 up having controlled all but those first 8-10 minutes.

 

Now, half time, was the opportunity for the managers to show their nouse. Their worth. To rally or compose their selection and strategy accordingly.

 

Chelsea brought on Robben to provide more width and to counter our own luxury of space down the flank.

 

After 8 minutes and with our second goal in the back of the net it was ours to lose.

 

This is where the style of Mourinho and Rafa differs.

 

Sat opposite the dug out I could see Rafa, the manager, the leader, on his feet dictating, shouting, altering things as he had done throughout the game. Meanwhile his generals, Paco et al, providing the strategic analysis from their seats and passing notes down. Rafa constantly then taking their notes and following it with more gestures and leading, adapting our play from the touchline.

 

Mourinho, the opposite. Watching calmly and then getting out of the dugout only to show his exasperation at something, a 'wrong' decision, or to berate and show his frustration at the team not doing what he had instructed during half time. So he made the requisite changes. Played the wingers that stopped us having the fortune of width that his selection had gifted us.

 

His selection.

 

In my mind he wasn't playing Liverpool, the team, yesterday. He was playing against Gerrard, Momo, and Xabi in the centre. I'm sure he expected that. He wanted to knacker them out. Nullify and beat them into submission. At the same time he'd go for the usual tactic of winning set pieces through whatever means he could for Drogba and Terry to challenge.

 

It wasn't to be. In Kewell we had a willing outlet who tore a strip off his markers. In xabi we have a player that can make as accurate a pass as you could wish. You could run the length of the pitch with the ball at your feet but be too f***ed to do anything with it at the end. Xabi makes things simple. He can do that 100 yard dribble with one sublime pass.

 

All the time Rafa was on the touchline. Dictating, altering things. Mourinho was in his seat. He would change his system from there. He put on his wingers.

 

He rarely got up to change things after that. Aside from the usual 'throw a centre back up top' novelty desperation policy.

 

It was obvious from yesterday that his discipline and Chelseas success is more on the training pitch, creating a well drilled team, than on the touchline.

 

It's something that has led them to two PL crowns but sometimes, in such circumstances, you need your man to be out there leading, rather than sat away from the frontline, LBJ and Nixonesque, and comforted in the belief that his resources and strategy will lead the team to victory.

[Gunga Din]

Top post mate

[The Hitman]

I had a "debate" in the pub with my gooner mate after the game that evening,both of us being battered,about why Benitez was the best tactical manager in the Premiership,and not Wenger or Mourinho.

I think I won,although my points seemed to get lost....

 

He rarely got up to change things after that. Aside from the usual 'throw a centre back up top' novelty desperation policy.

Yeah,none of us expected that,did we?

[Extraordinary Swindle]

You forgot something very important ...

 

John Terry is the new Robert Huth.