Mourinho and Conte now feeling the heat

From faultless to fragile in the space of a fortnight, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte suddenly find themselves under pressure, despite winning their first three matches of the season. It sounds ridiculous, and it is, but that’s the merciless nature of life as a Premier League boss. Our tactical analyst Adrian Clarke breaks down the reasons why Manchester United and Chelsea’s new managers are suddenly in the spotlight…

JOSE MOURINHO

Has he chosen the wrong captain?

You didn’t need to be Nostradamus to predict choppy waters for Wayne Rooney (above. Photo: AP) this term, and Jose Mourinho was perhaps too starry-eyed to see it.

We know he’s a long-time fan of the England star, but common sense suggested the 30-year-old was entering the new campaign as Manchester United’s fourth-best striker.  With the jury still out on his capabilities in a deeper role, it was a bold call to keep Rooney on as captain.

Sluggish in his last few outings, and with 4-3-3 (minus the No 10 role he’d been earmarked for) looking the most suitable formation, Rooney looks ready to be chopped from the first 11.

Mourinho should have seen this coming. By burying his head in the sand to accommodate Rooney, a certain amount of damage has already been done.

Biting his tongue

He just can’t help himself, can he? At the first sign of trouble, Mourinho ditched diplomacy to tear into his players post-Manchester derby, and the theme has continued ever since.

At the start of any new regime, it’s always wisest to keep criticism of individuals in-house, but so eager was he to deflect blame from his door, that the United boss named and shamed without hesitation. That’s a dangerous approach.

His slating of left-back Luke Shaw (above. Photo: Getty Images) after the defeat to Watford was especially unfair.

Injured at the time, the youngster was blamed for not getting tight enough to his man for Watford’s second goal, but the replays showed Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini were more culpable when failing to track a runner.

Falling out with senior players signaled the end of his second spell at Chelsea so you can understand Mourinho’s reticence towards United’s experienced men, but still, it was risky to use his vicious tongue on Shaw, the easier target.

Leaks from the dressing room have hinted at a downturn in mood, but the fact we’re even hearing about what goes on behind closed doors, shows that his authority is already being challenged.

Until he gets the players back onside, he’ll struggle to motivate them.

Blind to the flaws

It’s far from crisis point, but Mourinho must nail his tactics at home to Leicester City this evening.

To date, he’s overlooked a malfunctioning midfield that doesn’t have the tools to cope with Pogba’s habitual roaming. Naming one holding player, with the Frenchman (above. Photo: Reuters) plus one other flanking them looks the sensible ploy.

He needs to build his team around the strengths of the record signing. Partnering him with the ponderous Fellaini has only served to highlight his flaws.

Every United player has a responsibility to perform better, but if Jose is honest with himself, he’ll know his decision-making has been questionable.

ANTONIO CONTE

Substitution strife

I think Conte’s doing an excellent job so I’m loath to be too critical, but there has been a spot of indecision when it comes to in-game changes.

The Italian’s failure to respond to Liverpool’s dominance last time out was especially baffling.

No one could dispute his Blues side was being outplayed, but it took until the 84th minute for him to make a triple-change. Then, when the moment came, Michy Batshuayi (above. Photo: Reuters), who had scored three in his first three games in all competitions, was left picking the splinters out of his derriere on the bench.

Late substitutions have been a recurring theme. Nine of Conte’s 15 Premier League changes have been made after the 80th minute, with the rest coming between the 71st and 79th minute mark.

Could he be a little more dynamic with his tweaks? I believe so. Leaving things that last minute narrows down the prospects of an impact being made.

Time to get tough

Keeping a settled side worked like a dream for the last two title winners, but there’s a fine line to tread between continuity and a closed shop.

The Chelsea gaffer is yet to drop a single player. Injuries to Willian and John Terry prompted the only two alterations he’s made to his opening day XI. That’s fine, but to keep his squad on their toes, tonight’s clash at Arsenal might be the right moment to shake things up a little.

Branislav Ivanovic (above. Photo: Reuters) and Nemanja Matic are the two most contentious starters, with neither man coming close to peak performance.

When you give players too many chances, standards throughout the side often slip. Conte must be ruthless.

Set piece problems

Conte’s Chelsea have looked confused when defending free kicks and corners (above. Photo: Reuters), and that is giving opposition sides a lift when standing over dead balls.

Down the years, this has always been a Chelsea strong suit, but in the early weeks their approach has been sloppy to say the least.

West Ham’s James Collins and Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren both profited from shoddy marking to score at Stamford Bridge, with the latter finding himself in acres of space when five Blues defenders stood in space next to no one.

Conceding from basic errors like this heaps unnecessary pressure on teams. They must tighten up and work on this in training.

Big Match Predictions

Manchester United v Leicester City

Confidence has dropped alarmingly fast at Old Trafford. Right now, the team aren’t creating enough clear-cut chances, and at the back, hesitancy has crept in. Failure to address those two issues, and a spluttering engine room, could lead to an unthinkable fourth defeat on the spin.

The champions won’t roll over. Since capitulating at Anfield, good strides have been made and their front three of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani (above. Photo: Reuters) are beginning to click. I’m tipping a shock.

Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal v Chelsea

For good or bad reasons, this fixture almost always becomes the Diego Costa (above. Photo: Reuters) show, so he is the man to watch at Emirates Stadium. The on-fire forward’s physical battle with Shkodran Mustafi may well determine where the points end up.

Chelsea have the Indian sign over the Gunners, who have failed to score in their last four home fixtures against them. However, having banged in 12 goals in five games, I’m predicting a different narrative this time.

Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool v Hull City

The opposition goal must look 10 yards wide to the Liverpool players at the moment. Making the net bulge for fun, Jurgen Klopp’s attackers are having a whale of a time ripping rivals apart with their skill and movement.

Torn to shreds by Arsenal last weekend, it’s hard to imagine that run coming to an abrupt end against Hull. Mike Phelan’s early pace setters are beginning to level out. Home win.

Prediction: 3-1

About the author:
Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of the English game. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for TODAY and several well-known football websites. Follow him @adrianjclarke

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