I’m not saying he shouldn’t take any responsibility, and billyiddo is right that when results don’t come Mourinho is going to cop some flak. I just think that it’s going to take a while for us to turn into the machine Mourinho wants. Also let’s remember it’s not a complete disaster, we’re going through a tough period and we are 6 points off top.
I’ll challenge you on the scared to play beyond instruction - I noticed yesterday that Winks was trying to play a hell of a lot more balls forwards rather than sideways, didn’t always work but clearly something he’s been told to do. And you mention NDombele, there’s Lo Celso too who is happy to take risks and is good at it and Mourinho plays these players when they are fit. The fact is one of NDombele or Lo Celso always seem to be injured or not fit enough to last a whole match and the drop off in quality from those two is noticeable,would make a massive difference if the Sabitzer talk is true.
But regardless, Mourinho has to earn his corn now. He is not stupid, and I don’t buy that his tactic is non-figuratively to just park the bus every game. Yes of course the players are being coached to play in a more pragmatic style, but I’d say what Harry Brooks says could be accurate that the players aren’t fully getting how to do it yet. Mourinhos interview after the game supported this, he’s not stupid and wouldn’t just tell them to sit back for 89 minutes as they’d taken an early lead. We have seen patches of games including yesterday’s where the play has been good,this needs to be transmitted into more substantial performances.
The potential is still there for a good season despite this current negativity, but it’s most definitely on Mourinho to make it happen. COYS....