Jose Mourinho is terrified of Stoke City

 
Stoke head into Monday night’s televised clash with Chelsea knowing that a win could, theoretically, lift them into the top half of the league for Christmas – whilst putting a huge dent into the Blues’ own title ambitions.

Chelsea’s last two away fixtures – both in the north east – saw Jose Mourinho’s men pick up just one point, courtesy of a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light. Those two results have piled pressure on a Chelsea team that looked to be running away with the league just five weeks ago.

As a result, Mourinho has begun his mind-games on the Potters, as he looks to sway things in his favour prior to the head-to-head at the Britannia Stadium.

Already, Jose has questioned the referee’s ability – asking whether Neil Swarbrick knows what is ‘allowed and what is not’, when quizzed on Thibaut Courtois’ readiness to face the Potters. Jose was also keen to discuss the likely match-up between Diego Costa and Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, and whether the referee would know where ‘aggression ends and rules of the game start’.

Whilst raising the issues of Stoke tactics, Mourinho has also been quoted praising the club’s fans and atmosphere of the Britannia Stadium – something that most managers are reluctant to do.
But let’s not be ignorant. Mourinho is scared, and has every reason to be.

When going head-to-head with Alex Ferguson in his previous stint as Chelsea boss, Mourinho would frequently play mind games to disrupt the opposition and their tactics. He was a genius at it, proven by his track record of Fergie’s men.

He’s also a master tactician and – most importantly – a student of the game, even now. He focuses on tactics, isolates and bombards weaknesses – and knows how to turn hostility into benevolence.
It is precisely the latter that he is attempting to achieve this weekend. His flattery is deceptive, and Potters fans would be foolish to think otherwise.

Mourinho is fully aware why Manchester United, Spurs and – especially so – Arsenal hate visiting the Britannia Stadium.

The 11-players that Mark Hughes fields on Monday night will be difficult to beat – but next to impossible with 20-odd thousand chanting, screaming fans supporting them to the hilt.

Ignore the praise and pleasantries emanating from Stamford Bridge, it’s time to remind Jose of who we are.
Welcome to Fortress Britannia. Welcome to the Bear Pit.

Source: Metro Sport UK