‘You don’t look at me the same way’ – Mourinho calls out media double-standards

Jose Mourinho claims that Tottenham Hotspur have not been given the credit they deserve for the way they have played this season because of the perception regarding his style of football.

Tottenham are the third top scorers in the Premier League this season and boast the best defensive record in the division.

They went into the weekend sitting in second place in the table but have still come under criticism for their approach to games.

Pundits questioned Tottenham’s negative tactics in the second half against Arsenal two weeks ago despite Spurs running out 2-0 winners in the North London Derby.

Meanwhile, The Daily Mail’s chief sports writer Ollie Holt even described the tactics Spurs employed against Liverpool on Wednesday as ‘anti-football’.

When asked whether it was unfair that his side are getting criticised for playing ‘anti-football’ while the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are getting a free ride despite their struggles, Mourinho told Football.London: “If you write [that], you don’t need to ask me.

“If you want to write an article like you said, your words not my words, ‘Man City are not playing well, Chelsea are not playing well, it’s not fair that people criticise you’.

“If you write that in an article, people read, you change the perception and you don’t need to ask me that question.

“I believe your question is showing already that you don’t look at me the same way you look at others, because if you looked at me the same way you look at others, you would just write an article.”

However, the Portuguese coach insisted that he does not care whether he gets the plaudits he deserves from the press and is more concerned about ensuring that the Tottenham players, staff and fans are happy.

When asked whether he does not get the recognition he deserves for turning around Spurs’ fortunes, Mourinho said: “No. That’s fine for me. I’m not working in the search of any recognition.

“OK, 15 years ago when I arrived and I was probably a bit too arrogant for what you were used to, maybe yes, maybe I was, but I’m not.

“I work for my club, I work for my players. I try to give happiness to the people that love my club where I work.

“I am very ambitious, that didn’t change at all. I think you can still read on my face that to lose hurts me the same, nothing changes, but that situation of looking for some recognition? That’s not for me. I don’t care.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While fans will have their opinion on the style of play they prefer to watch, for journalists to not be able to appreciate different aspects of the game is mind-boggling. ‘Anti-football’ would be to deliberately go out to try and injure your opponent, to waste time or to cheat in some other form. To label defending deep as ‘anti-football’ is quite ridiculous.

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