That Sinking Feeling

He may not like it very much, but it has to be said. Jose Mourinho’s English is not too special, despite all that early experience as Bobby Robson’s translator.

In particular he has trouble with the word ‘think’ which is unfortunate because he uses it a lot, especially in his post-match pronouncements. Take his comments on the Chelsea v Aston Villa game for instance, in which he strove manfully to disguise his disappointment at dropping two vital points at home to a side which has been inspired and revitalised by the arrival of his old UEFA Cup adversary, Martin O’Neill.

The classic Mourinho tactic is to eulogise enthusiastically about his side while undermining or decrying the efforts and achievements of the opposition. Thus we had: “I sink it’s one of those games where normally you lose”, “I sink Villa defend, defend, defend” and, in reference to Martin O’Neill “I sink he complains of everything” (which is deeply ironic coming from the Special One) and “I sink he was very lucky to go home with a point” (which is absolutely crazy considering the fact that Angel missed a golden opportunity to win it for Villa late on).

What we did not hear was “I sink Makelele deserved a red card”, “I sink Agbonlahor left Terry for dead” or “I sink Angel could have won it for Villa”.

Even if that’s what virtually everyone else ‘sinks’.