But we didn't just sit back last night. We got players foward, but there was just no penetration in the final third. Some of our passing was dreadful, as was United's. Mourinho admitted that.
It wasn't a defensive line-up, in fact we'd probably be hard pushed to play that kind of game with our present squad. Even our DM players were converted box-to-box players trying to fill different roles.
We didn't throw caution to the wind, as you appear to suggest would have been the way to play. Mourinho's tactics are the same as most good managers these days...if you lose possession, you close down the opposition, get players behind the ball, and everyone works their socks off to get it back.
What Mourinho won't stand is any prima donna who loses the ball and just stands around with his hands on his hips.

Hmmm....it's what I would call 'accidentally on purpose'

http://imgur.com/r/soccer/LFjOdkf

I agree.

It looks like a deliberate contact.

Patrick Bamford scores for MK Dons against Sunderland, cracking effort

But you have to take each game as it comes, The last Utd game meant nothing to them, Win,lose or draw it made no difference to them, Losing on Monday could even this early in the league could have been major for them (Moyes first home game, Rooney playing etc).

Jose is very different to what we use to in England in that he dont go for the "up and at them", With that you get the mess that we saw last night when a vastly better team go 2-0 up in complete control but due to ignoring the defense part of football end up having to go to extra time and having to win the game in that (and losing players to injury), Jose rightly would never accept that, Yes it very excting and enjoyable for all the fans and the people watching at home. But it happened because of lack of intellegence on behalf of the manager and players.

Jose would rather look at the bigger picture. He not bothered about entertaining people all he cares about at then end of the season what has he achieved? A win or a draw at OT wont make that much difference to where we end up at the end of the season. He sets his teams out to do a certain job and bases that on his plan not for this one game but for the whole season.

Jose can go out and steam roller teams when needed, If you look at the team when we had Duff and Robben swapping wings etc. But he wont do it just for the sake of it. What was needed at this early part of the season with players not at 100% was a different tactic. The league is not a race its a marathaon, Sometimes you slow down other times you go for it. I think this early in the season with the games we have (a side just come up,A very good away side and the champions) a slow start was the best approach. By October/November you will see a very different team

I agree. It was important to get a result away at the ground of the champions.

Last season we were very open, teams could score against us too easily, especially in the last 1/3 of the game. The Hull game was a great example of how things are. In the first half we could have been 4 or 5 up. Playing wonderful football. In the 2nd half we tightened up the defense and kept a clean sheet.

It is not until November that we see us playing a run against average teams we would be expected to beat. It is then that i expect us to kick on.

being scared to lose results in not being bold enough to win, which I believe was the case on Monday evening. I just don't get why everyone was so fearful of falling three points behind in August. if it really is the disaster that is being made out, wouldn't it have been an idea to actually get three points ahead?

losing like winning can be a habit, We have a very tough game on friday, Lose that and we back to back loses and the season has just started and Jose dont have "the stuff" anymore,We need to spend big etc etc (never mind they to the Europern and English league champions) . Yes 3 points was the main idea but it not at the expense of a risk of losing 3 points. You need to get a balance

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...tsu-from-porto

Another attacking midfielder, just what we need.

From our website:

WILLIAN TRANSFER COMPLETED

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Willian.

The 25-year-old Brazilian was today (Wednesday) granted a work permit and has signed a five-year contract, having moved to England from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. He will wear the number 22 shirt.

On completing his move, Willian said: 'I'm very happy to be here, it's been a dream of mine to come and play here.

'Chelsea are one of the best clubs in the world, and now I'm going to play for one of the best managers in the world, so I'm very happy and looking forward to it.'

Born on 9 August 1988, in Ribeirao Pires, Willian Borges da Silva played at Sao Paulo before moving to Corinthians at the age of nine.

Having made his way through the Brazilian club's academy, Willian rose to prominence in 2005 at the prestigious Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior tournament, which he won with Corinthians before being promoted to the first team shortly after.

Having impressed potential suitors with his performances, Willian's stock continued to rise, culminating in a move to Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in August 2007.

Possessing trademark Brazilian skills, and with the guile and creativity to unlock tight defences, during his time at Shakhtar Willian won four league titles, three Ukrainian Cups, three Ukrainian Super Cups and, most memorably, the 2009 UEFA Cup, which was clinched with a 2-1 over Werder Bremen.

Chelsea supporters will be familiar with the player after he scored twice at Stamford Bridge when we beat Shakhtar 3-2 in the group stages of last season's Champions League. He also impressed during our 2-1 defeat in the away game.

Willian spent six years at Shakhtar before completing a switch to Anzhi last January.

He made his debut for the club during a 3-1 Europa League win over Hannover and scored his first goal in a 3-0 victory at VN Novgorod.

On the international stage, Willian has been involved with the Brazilian national side at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 level, and featured in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2007, when Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Spain.

He made his Brazil senior debut on 10 November 2011 in a friendly match against Gabon and has two caps. He becomes the sixth current Chelsea player from that country.

Super cup squad.

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Jamal Blackman

Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, John Terry, David Luiz

Midfielders: Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Marco van Ginkel, John Obi Mikel

Forwards: Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku, Andre Schurrle, Juan Mata, Demba Ba


Lets hope they bother to turn up for this one. Can't handle another performance like last years.

Last year was a shocker. We were favourites then, but underdogs this time so there shouldn't really be any issues with complacency.

Another player who was on Spurs short list. It appears our current policy is to mess them around as much as possible.
What is that all about, revenge for the Modric business ?

This should always be our policy

We should be thankful to him for not letting us sign Modric. Much better off with Mata, Hazard and Oscar. Maybe we can repay him by allowing Spurs to sign Torres?

With Chelsea now stealing players from under Tottenham's noses, hopefully this means they'll stop trying this with Manchester United targets now.

You just know if we sign this Atsu guy he'll be punted straight back out on loan....

Am sure we are able to do both

That's the intention.

We haven't loaned anyone out in ages (by our standards)......still need to find places for Chalobah and McEachran.

That's true. I wish we hadn't let Paulinho slip under the radar though, he would have been useful.

Away to Swindon in the CoC. Week commencing 23rd September.

Playing at a high tempo and taking it to teams isn't the same as throwing caution to the wind.

Looks like we've given up on Rooney and gone for Eto'o instead:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23873089

as someone who watched nearly every inter game in 2010 i can tell you etoo is a great signing, from what i sa wof russian league last yea rhe is still fit and healthy and he was a lion for mourinho, played in less attacking role and did with 100% even thought he would rather be striker.

be it support forward or striker he will add alot to this chelsea team imo

If I was a Chelsea fan that wouldn't fill me with confidence and expectation. Then again, from their perspective I think he's costing relatively little, in terms of a transfer fee at least.