The Football Thread - 2013/14

[G.Wood]

The Chosen One back in charge at Chelski

[skully]

So he's kissed and made up with Abramovich?

[tricycle]

He just had a smaller fight at Chelsea than at his other clubs.

[taipan]

The Chelsea fans remind me of the Scousers welcoming King Kenny back.

I predict it will end in tears.

[LeFromage]

The Chosen One back in charge at Chelski

The Re-Chosen One.

Usually, these things don't work out second time around, but I think it's a good fit. Mourinho's first Chelsea incarnation stagnated because the team had become too pragmatic and defensive at a time when Abramovich yearned for a more thrilling style of football.

Today, Chelsea probably have the best group of young attacking players around (at least in England) and their problem has been an inability to get the balance right defensively in order to accommodate Mata, Hazard and Oscar. Organisation and team structure are Mourinho's strengths.

Expect him to sign a proper defensive midfielder (headless chicken Ramires, brainless sloth Obi Mikel, perennially out of position Luiz are not the ticket) and probably a striker (although it's crazy to think they've got Lukaku, but no interest in ever playing him) and they're good to go.

Title favourites next season, for me.

[LeFromage]

The Chelsea fans remind me of the Scousers welcoming King Kenny back.

I predict it will end in tears.

I never really knew if Dalglish was a good manager, or just got lucky in inheriting an already dominant Liverpool team that could carry on winning the league for a few more years on autopilot.

Regardless, he certainly seemed a manager out of his time during his second spell at Liverpool. Mourinho, at least, has been gainfully employed in the last decade.

[beamer]

The Chelsea fans remind me of the Scousers welcoming King Kenny back.

I predict it will end in tears.

When Dalglish went back to Liverpool he was 60, hadn't managed for some years and was out of touch with the modern Premier League and European transfer market. Much the same was true of Keegan's second spell at Newcastle.

Mourinho on the other hand is only 50 and has spent the years since his first spell managing two of the biggest clubs in Europe. There's no footballing reason why it shouldn't work out, although how he works with Abramovich again will determine how long it lasts this time.

[skully]

In other news, Aus to disappoint tonight v Japs in WC qualifier.

[doremi]

The Chosen One back in charge at Chelski

The Re-Chosen One.

Usually, these things don't work out second time around, but I think it's a good fit. Mourinho's first Chelsea incarnation stagnated because the team had become too pragmatic and defensive at a time when Abramovich yearned for a more thrilling style of football.

Today, Chelsea probably have the best group of young attacking players around (at least in England) and their problem has been an inability to get the balance right defensively in order to accommodate Mata, Hazard and Oscar. Organisation and team structure are Mourinho's strengths.

Expect him to sign a proper defensive midfielder (headless chicken Ramires, brainless sloth Obi Mikel, perennially out of position Luiz are not the ticket) and probably a striker (although it's crazy to think they've got Lukaku, but no interest in ever playing him) and they're good to go.

Title favourites next season, for me.

If they play Mata, Hazard and Oscar through the season, I hope they do win.

[skully]

10 mins to go in the WC qualifier in Japan - it's 0-0 with 10 mins to go. The current status would mean Japan would qualify, and Aus would be in 2nd with 2 home games v Jordan and Oman to come.

[Red]

Australia is lucky it has a pretty easy zone in which to qualify.

[tricycle]

10 mins to go in the WC qualifier in Japan - it's 0-0 with 10 mins to go. The current status would mean Japan would qualify, and Aus would be in 2nd with 2 home games v Jordan and Oman to come.

Would be playing it down when I say John Burridge beyond creams himself when speaking of Ali al Habsi

[PeterCS]

"I am a special one" - was a literal translation of: "Eu, sou (um) especial"

Means "I am different (from your conventional sort of manager)", or possibly "I am a bit of a maverick / a law unto myself".

Often misquoted as if he was claiming messianic qualities, that.

[Big Dog]

After going ahead 1-0, Aust chucked it away with a penalty in stoppage time. Bad day all round for OZ sport.

[lardbucket]

another penalty ... brings back some bad memories

[beamer]

"I am a special one" - was a literal translation of: "Eu, sou (um) especial"

Means "I am different (from your conventional sort of manager)", or possibly "I am a bit of a maverick / a law unto myself".

Often misquoted as if he was claiming messianic qualities, that.

He did start the sentence by stating the fact that he was European champion though.

[PeterCS]

Well wa'n't dat juss da tooth?

[G.Wood]

I hope JGK is backing the draw tonight. I'll be having a wager to ward against the frustrating 0-0 result.

[skully]

Enjoyed the Aus effort v Japan a couple of weeks back. Hopefully we get one or two men forward and can top that effort v Jordan tonight.

[G.Wood]

With any luck Melbourne will turn on one of its specials weatherwise and the Jordanians will be frozen to the spot

[Big Dog]

With any luck Melbourne will turn on one of its specials weatherwise and the Jordanians will be frozen to the spot

I note that the coach has requested that the roof remains open.

[G.Wood]

well he is german

[horace]

will be a miserable night...cold as charity already

[Big Dog]

Choices..choices. Soccer, Cricket or Country v Lions.......thank god for remotes.

[Paul Keating]

Didn't know you were a football fan, BD.

The socceroos will be booking a place in RIO next year.

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