Jose is tops in press row

Last updated : 28 February 2005 By Paul Lagan

Watching Jose Mourinho in action is brilliant entertainment.
I'm not writing about his control of match matters but his sublime control of press conferences.

Having navigated the labyrinth that is the bowels of the Milleninnium Stadium, I finally found the press conference room.

I missed the opening verbal exchange with Jose and the national hacks.
But when a journo from Britain's top-selling tabloid started to goad Jose, the boss bit back but in a extremely controlled manner - but there was an undercurrent of rage.

The Sun man asked why did he incite the crowd by putting a finger to his lips - Jose said it was to 'shusshh' the English press.

Now this was clearly nonsense as we were all on the opposite side of the stadium - his response, quick as a flask: "I don't know where you are" - classic.

When asked by the same hack again why he waved a goodbye gesture to the fans - like lightening, Jose said he was waving to his wife in the stand.

To watch this exchange was illuminating - the national press, by and large have being very complimentary to Jose.

Two defeats in a row does warrant asking questions about "blips" etc.
After all our messageboard posters have asked the very same questions.

But there is an undercurrent of paranoia within the Chelsea hierarchy which, I think, Jose cultivates.
It's another mechanism to focus his players attention on the match or the next match.

The outcome from the "war of words" between the Sun man and Jose was an uneasy draw.

Jose likes to win, so I fully expect a few more verbal fight games before the season is out.