Jose Mourinho's Mind Tricks Examined

Sensing that the task of overtaking Manchester United and moving into first place in the Premiership is becoming more difficult, it’s plain to see that Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho is using mind tricks to dislodge United from its top position. After all, when football results don’t work, mind tricks is the next best thing.In an article entitled “Mourinho Ready to Topple Man Utd,” the BBC reports that Jose said the following statements:

• “I don’t think it’ll take a lot of time to be top of the league.”
• “I am happy to be just three points behind because we have had tougher fixtures than United.”
• “Now is the time to win matches consecutively and go top of the league as soon as possible.”
• “With the very good run Manchester United are having, they have to be frustrated to have only a three-point lead.”

Let’s take a closer look at Mourinho’s accusations. So far this season, Man United has only lost one match (0-1 versus Arsenal at Old Trafford). Other than the Gunners, the toughest opposition that United has encountered (other than Chelsea) has been Bolton, Liverpool and Portsmouth. United has already played Charlton, Sheffield United, Fulham, Watford, Wigan, Newcastle, Reading and Spurs.Chelsea meanwhile has lost two matches (1-2 against Middlesbrough at the Riverside, and 1-2 against Spurs at White Hart Lane), but their toughest opposition has been Liverpool, Bolton, Aston Villa and Portsmouth. In the other league matches, they have played against West Ham, Watford, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Reading, Fulham and Charlton.Sure, United hasn’t played Middlesbrough and Spurs away yet, but they have played Arsenal at home. Chelsea, meanwhile, played Aston Villa at home, a tricky match to say the least.I believe Mourinho’s argument that United has had the easier schedule is bogus. Other than Bolton, Portsmouth, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa, are there any difficult teams left in the Premiership for United and Chelsea to play? The gulf between the top two positions and the rest of the league is very evident.So now that we’re more than a third of the way through the season, what do you think? Does United have what it takes to win the league? Will Chelsea be able to overtake United? Will United’s lack of depth on the bench hamper Man United’s chances?Tell us what you think by clicking the ‘comments’ link below.