Brendan Rodgers is virtually a shoe in for manager of the season at Liverpool imo even if they don't win the title. Whether you like him or not he's done brilliantly. Pulis may be an outside bet. But was Rodgers out-thought yesterday by a superior tactician? Love him or loathe him Mourinho has experience and bags of managerial talent and it showed yesterday. My opinion is that Mourinho realised that his side are not as good as Liverpool particularly playing at Anfield, and he knew that sitting deep and relying on a pressing Liverpool making mistakes was the most likely way to get something. Absolutely spot on. Disappointing to see Rodgers bleating about them "parking two buses" however true it might be. It's all part of the game, fella. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27182818
There is a tinge of sour grapes in what he said but in saying that it must have been difficult to have the premiership title taken out of his hands. The game is eleven v eleven and the tactics one uses should depend on the opposition you play. Jose played a blinder tactically he nullified Liverpools strengths and hit them on the break. To limit Liverpool to one shot on target says it all to me. Well done to Chelsea who have made the Premiership title race even more exciting.
No news to us. He used to complain about the same tactics when he was our manager. I think the excuse is in Chapter 3, section 4 A of Brendan's pamphlet of football. Seems he still hasnt added any extra chapters to his pamphlet since leaving and learnt to add a plan B to counter it. http://www.touchlinetalk.com/rodgers-wants-points-not-just-plaudits/9003/
I do find Mourinho quite hypocritical, didn't he slate West Ham for deploying similar tactics against them? Park the bus, stay patient and be quick and direct as he can. I may be biased as I can't stand Chelsea.
Mourinho employed a typical Sousa strategy, though Sousa had an excuse with no front line, but Mourinho just couldn't come all out and attack as he new that Liverpool were the better passing side, and would cut them to pieces. Two buses was a dig at Mourinho, and I liked it to be fair, but what else could Mourinho do he new Liverpool would win with any other strategy!..............
Mourinho applied a perfectly sound strategy in dealing with a powerfully effective threat of Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling. The fact that he was also able to snatch a two goal victory is testament to the weakness that Liverpool have demonstrated from time to time in terms of defensive focus. It also illustrates perfectly our own experiences from time to time in out playing opponents, dominating posession, but not being able to penetrate in the final third and then conceding goals on defensive lapses. Rogers was out coached in this game. Having said that he had a difficult task on his hands. Tomorrow is another day,
It wasnt Chelseas job to force the game or try and win it. Nulified Liverpools most impressive part of their side the forward line. they sat and said come and beat us and Liverpool werent up to it. That is the problem when you only have a plan A. Mourinho got it spot on. Shame really as i wanted Liverpool to win th PL this year.
Mourinho was spot on with his tactics. Others have tried to park the bus at Anfield but we have found a way through - Mourinho had the players to deal with our attacking yesterday and matters weren't helped when we went 0-1 down and Gerrard decided to take every chance himself instead of looking for other options around the area. I can't argue with the result and on this occasion Mourinho out tacticed Rodgers (would always take Rodgers over Mou as manager though) so fair play
Some very good points. Well spotted Swimaway on Brendan's history! I also agree that Mourinho can be a huge hypocrite when he wants to and I agree with the point about him bleating re the West Ham game. I've come to the conclusion that he actually enjoys ****ing with the media who hang on his every word. Definitely out-thought Rodgers yesterday but in fairness that's Brendan's style. He has an attacking, open philosophy that can be a little rigid at times. Liverpool have done brilliantly and good luck to them but I do wonder how they'll cope with CL football with that approach. Hopefully they'll do well but I think in European competition you really need a plan B.
Mourinho outdid rodgers and pelligrini, you can complain about it but it's darn effective, liverpool played right into their hands Liverpools line was far too high
What a difference a year makes. Anyone remember the howls of outrage from the Liverpool supporters when Rodgers turned up at their door? "Why would we want an ex Swansea City manager",they cried. Outraged they were. "He's not good enough,we're a big Club",etc.,etc.,etc. Then they signed Joe Allen. Yet more outrage from the scousers. But,look at them now.
Not sure about that. I seem to remember quite a lot saying the opposite Lib. Then again you always get split opinions. Some of my mates still reckon he's ****.
I'm pretty sure that there was a strong anti Rodgers feeling from a lot of Liverpool supporters. I don't have any stats,only going from memory. Someone will hopefully clarify.
Not saying you're wrong Lib. Whatever the case they were wrong weren't they. Fair play, and credit were it's due I say.
None of that from me (check my post history). I'll admit I liked the idea of AVB or Benitez at the time but I've never been negative about Rodgers or Allen. Only one poster on our forum off the top of my head who was anti-BR and that was more through loyalty to Kenny... Roy Hodgson on the other hand....
No problem if I am wrong Dragon. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since BR left. There's a lot of bad feeling from Liverpool fans' towards Mourinho,and his tactics. They sound bitter,but I'm sure they will deny that. Even Rodgers has sounded a bit tetchy,and he hasn't done himself any favours by being so. If they were offered top three at the start of the season they would have grabbed it.
That was the real crime from Rogers, the naivety of his approach. Liverpool only needed a 0-0. Chelsea were always going to park the bus and hope for a mistake. He should have adapted and played out the stalemate. Having said all that it is very difficult to legislate for a mistake like the one from Gerrard. Rogers should definitely be manager of the year even if they don't quite win the league.
There was a good number of Scousers that didn't want Rodgers, because he wouldn't hack it at a 'BIG' club?......................... Hell it's only his second season and they are back in Europe and top of the Premier League, I bet they have melted away by now........
