From Martin:
Morning Myles,
Amazing how things are seen sometimes.
There was a coming together of managers last night and to me it was obvious that Mourihno had definitely met his match in Conte as he certainly was not intimidated or acting out of frustration. Conte was on the offensive!
The MOTD pundits said that Mourinho got what he wanted and would be loving it?
Not what I saw, he tried to play his games and it got rammed back down his throat.
Have an obvious dislike for Chelsea for the way the Russian billions moved them to the top table, but I am also a fan of football, who is always looking for the bits of the game that I can relate to,
Grew up watching the wily Italian teams of the 70’s and 80’s where every action was planned, smart, streetwise footballers who were always criticised for being at the boundaries of sportsmanship but you always admired
Conte is thoughtful, passionate, no action is without reason, he really reminds me of the footballers of those 70’s, the ones that formed the backbone and allowed the likes of Rivera and Rossi to play.
So he was in Mourinho face one minute, and then was an angel, hands behind back, listening intently to the referee admonish them both. Genteel at his best.
Conte’s passion is calculated, after a game you never get the surliness that Mourinho has increasingly showed.
Chelsea are not only the most organised and driven team in league, they have best 2 players in Kante and Hazard.
It’s hard to say this, but actually enjoy watching this Chelsea team, it knows what it is doing and has enough flair players to play some attractive football, not least Hazard, now freed from Mourinho trying to tame him and now roaming in the most dangerous areas of the field. Powerful lower body, agile in tight spaces and with great short distance speed, must be a nightmare to mark given way he now floats about.
Think United and Mourinho are all smoke and mirrors and if they lose De Gea they will be in big trouble (by top 6 standards) as aside from Rashford they are quite average.
It does have to be noted that Chelsea have had same grace as Leicester in having no European football, you could definitely see that United were a tired team in comparison.
Finishing 5th would not be the worst thing for Arsenal, as given the track record there is no real enthusiasm of hope from the fans for Champions League, only the money people will care.
Spurs with Kane have a shot at Chelsea, more than Arsenal or City, and the only way Arsenal have a chance against any of last 4 is if they genuinely get up a head of steam and belief and that’s possible as much of the issues is mentality.
Whoever does win the Cup will have to earn it, though no soft games like in recent past.
But do think you’re right, season is likely over as double beckons Chelsea. They are a class above.
Think quite a bit of pressure will come on to Spurs in the final weeks, as Arsenal have been torn apart in recent weeks with the worst Wenger team ever, while Spurs have been lauded.
If somehow Arsenal finish above them and pick up the FA Cup, what does that say about the best Spurs side since 60’s?
Myles says:
Although Pochettino has not won silverware as a manager, he would never never claim that fourth is a trophy.
Antonio Conte is a born winner.