Apologies for being a bit of a Scrooge this time of year, but a serious problem came to my attention last night. That problem is Jose Mourinho.
This is not the Jose Mourinho of old. Jose's former self was fun, controversial, enigmatic and likeable figure. These days he is nothing more than a miserable old sap.
If anything, he's the one taking leaves out of Ebenezer's book this Christmas.
Unfortunately, his deteriorated personality is now translating over to his tactics. And his Chelsea team's performance at The Emirates last night confirmed a dark transition from his past Chelsea days.
There is a stark difference between being tight defensively and being cowardly all-round. To be so scared to lose in a game that could have a massive effect on their season is weak and gutless.
Mourinho may be a changed man but we shouldn't be so surprised. He proclaimed himself as 'The Happy One' in the most monotonous expression and showed he was anything but happy.
You can see it in his interviews. Pre-match, post-match, you name it. Always negative, and complaining about anything he can get away with or criticising others like we're all out to get him. Fergie may be gone, but Jose's got his whinge-bag techniques down to a T.
And how does he repay us all? Dreary, drab and depressing displays since the word go. He deployed the bore-fest blueprint at Old Trafford back in August and did the same last night. Reckon he'll do the same at Anfield and Eastlands? You can bet your life on it.
Jose Mourinho is regarded as one of the best in the business. How long before this pathetic mentality spreads to coaching textbooks and whatever else? Sam Allardyce has already told Arsenal to expect more of the same on Thursday. And West Ham don't even have a striker to attack with (mind you, Chelsea barely did, either).
Yesterday was meant to be a huge title six-pointer but Chelsea's park-the-bus approach (which I had predicted pre-kick-off) made sure there was little chance of that. And the weather conditions made for a lovely excuse, too.
I have never seen such little enthusiasm from a squad as talented as Chelsea's against an Arsenal team, who were, quite frankly, there for the taking. Chelsea love the Emirates Stadium. And Mourinho loves playing Arsenal. "We tried to win"? Do us a favour, Jose.
It seemed to me that they were running the clock down even in the first half - when the conditions were arguably on their side. They played on the counter-attack for the whole game and people complain on the low-key match, when there is really little wonder how it ended up that way.
Mourinho's first period with Chelsea made fans around the country despise the Blues. Now his return and the irritating success he has enjoyed with his new style has got the hatred rising once again. It is fair to say if Arsenal don't win the championship this year, we must make sure that it is not Jose lifting the trophy.
Come On You Reds!
Yesterday was meant to be a huge title six-pointer but Chelsea's park-the-bus approach (which I had predicted pre-kick-off) made sure there was little chance of that. And the weather conditions made for a lovely excuse, too.
I have never seen such little enthusiasm from a squad as talented as Chelsea's against an Arsenal team, who were, quite frankly, there for the taking. Chelsea love the Emirates Stadium. And Mourinho loves playing Arsenal. "We tried to win"? Do us a favour, Jose.
It seemed to me that they were running the clock down even in the first half - when the conditions were arguably on their side. They played on the counter-attack for the whole game and people complain on the low-key match, when there is really little wonder how it ended up that way.
Mourinho's first period with Chelsea made fans around the country despise the Blues. Now his return and the irritating success he has enjoyed with his new style has got the hatred rising once again. It is fair to say if Arsenal don't win the championship this year, we must make sure that it is not Jose lifting the trophy.
Come On You Reds!
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