Jose tells fans: Trust me

13 April 2012

Jose Mourinho today rounded on his critics and launched an impassioned defence of Chelsea's style of play.

The Portuguese head coach has been stung by criticism of his side's defensive display against Manchester United and urged the club's fans to trust in his methods.

Former Southampton and Coventry boss Gordon Strachan was particularly outspoken in his criticism of the way Chelsea defended their one-goal lead on Sunday, but Mourinho is not prepared to take advice from someone with lesser managerial experience.

He said: "Who are these people that are criticising me? Who are they? I accept it but it doesn't influence me, disturb me or change the way I work. Chelsea fans should trust me. If they're not going to trust a European Champion who will they trust?

"If I came here without victories, without a CV and if no one knew me I could understand a few doubts. But arriving like I did makes it difficult to understand.

"I read an article from someone with big prestige in British football criticising our way of playing. He was a wonderful football player but hasn't got a great managerial record.

I am ready for everything. I see football in my way and nobody can take me from this view."

Mourinho insists that his team are capable of producing more entertaining football but believes they played exactly the right way to beat United.

He said: "We were not playing a Third Division team but against Manchester United. I have a very good record in derbies and big matches so know what I am doing. In 12 classic matches for Porto against Sporting Lisbon and Benfica I have 10 victories and two draws. I've never lost a classic, as they call them in Portugal.

"We've only been here for a few weeks and in that time we cannot do more. Anyone who saw us play against Celtic, Roma and AC Milan knows we have more than one style of play. It was just one match and if we have to play like that to win it's okay. Manchester United had no solutions and no chances to score. They had nothing to frighten us."

Mourinho is expecting another difficult game at Birmingham tomorrow and is prepared to win ugly if necessary.

He added: "Birmingham are a very physical side. They're tough to play against, have big defenders and fast players in attack.

"They defend with 11 players behind the ball and it will be very difficult. We know it will be tight but we'll be going for the three points. "Everyone wants to beat Chelsea and it's the same in every country. They all want to beat the group of teams that are fighting for the title - Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. It's always the same story but every big team should be prepared for this extra motivation."

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Jose tells fans: Trust me

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