This is my worst period - Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he is going
through the worst period of his managerial career
with his team winning just four of their 11 matches
this season.
The Premier League champions currently sit 14th in
the table after seven games, having just won twice
in the league.
It is the kind of position they regularly occupied
before the arrival of billionaire Roman Abramovich in
2003, but one that younger Chelsea fans are unused
to seeing them in.
Chelsea, who kept 17 league clean sheets last
season, have kept just one so far against Arsenal,
and have conceded 14 goals. Only Sunderland, who
are bottom, have let in more in the league.
No team have allowed their opponents more shots
on target than Chelsea, while Saturday's opponents
Southampton have allowed the fewest in the league
this season.
"I define this as the worst period in my career. It's
a fantastic experience, even though I don't want to
repeat it again," Mourinho told reporters at the
club's training ground at Cobham, south of London.
"Players know when they make mistakes. I don't
know what it's like in your offices, but nobody
seems to care about your mistakes," he said.
Mourinho refused to be drawn on the subject of Eva
Carneiro, the former first team doctor who quit after
being criticised by the manager. Although he was
cleared by the FA of discriminatory charges against
the doctor, FA chairman Greg Dyke said on
Thursday Mourinho was in the wrong and should
have apologised.
"I'm not going to comment, one day I will but not
today," the 52-year-old said.
BACKING IVANOVIC
Branislav Ivanovic has been heavily criticised for
his performances this season but Mourinho
continued to back the player, saying the Serbia
international was the best right-back in the league,
but conceding that his form must improve.
"I have no doubt Ivanovic is the best right-back and
also no doubt he needs to improve his form.
"He likes to speak with me about mistakes. He
doesn't cry about it like some newspapers," he
said.
"There is open communication between everyone
here, with no crying and no prima donnas," the
former Real Madrid manager added.
Mourinho, who will be hoping to maintain his perfect
league record against Southampton, said he had no
fresh injury worries after the 2-1 midweek
Champions League loss to Porto.
Thibaut Courtois's recovery from injury is going
well, with the keeper expected back in December,
the Portuguese said, while confirming that he was
hoping to sign former Italy keeper Marco Amelia,
who has been training with the team.
Apart from the poor results, the other issue
troubling Chelsea's fans has been the absence of
club captain John Terry from the starting line-up.
Terry has been an unused substitute four times in
the last five matches, with the Chelsea faithful
chanting "we want our captain back" after their
defeat at Porto in the Champions League on
Tuesday.
Asked about Terry's situation, Mourinho replied: "I
am happy they sing and support John. It is more
important they support John when he is not playing.
He is ready to play every game, even when I leave
him on the bench, he is ready to play."
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