Quote:
Originally Posted by Addick
I'm not sure I buy into this line of thought. Tactically, it's much easier to shut things down and prevent them from happening than it is to create them for yourself. In addition, when you are playing positively as opposed to negatively you also have to balance your style so you don't get caught out; that is the product of a great tactician.
While the managers of smaller clubs would rightfully deserve credit for getting a nil-nil draw at Old Trafford, Mourinho has so much talent at his disposal that the same scoreline is a failure to utilize his large collection of quality resources. It's okay to credit him with the humbleness it takes to play it safe but let's not pat him on the back too hard, save that for the Holloways that get a nil-nil or AVBs that pull out a positive victory at Old Trafford.
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Fair point, I do hold Mourinho in extremely high regard so perhaps I shouldn't get carried away when he leads a squad of superstars to a nil all draw. However, you must admire him for ignoring the opportunity to attack like many naïve managers might be tempted to do. I don't remember how many times he lost at home as manager of Chelsea, but it can't have been that many. He'll attack Manchester United when he's playing them at Stamford Bridge. He's under no obligation to entertain the supporters when he's playing at Old Trafford, which is part of the charm of football in my opinion.
Also, how often do Manchester United lose at home?
2012/13 - 3
2011/12 - 2
2010/11 - 0
In 2010/11, they won 18 out of 19 games at home and dropped points only to West Brom, whom they drew 2-2. Those are incredible stats. They've only lost 5 out of 57 home matches in the league over the last three years. When you see stats like that, I don't care how good of a squad you have at your disposal, I find it tough to blame you for not trying to be expansive.