Jose
Mourinho has backtracked on his '19th-century football' jibe against West
Ham and stressed his respect for Sam Allardyce ahead of their Boxing Day
clash.
Mourinho accused the Hammers of playing "football from the 19th century"
after Allardyce’s side held the Blues to a goalless draw in January.
However, when asked about the criticism ahead of West Ham's return to
Stamford Bridge, Mourinho described the comments as "silly words".
West Ham are in the top four at Christmas for the first time since the
1985-86 season and Mourinho has no doubt Friday's match will be very
different to last season's.
Mourinho told :Sky Sports News HQ: "Chelsea is top of the league and
deserves it and after us West Ham, because to be fourth for a team that
everybody was expecting them to fight for survival, I think is a fantastic
achievement.
"Both teams are different than last season. We are a better team, we have
more creativity and more goals, we have more attacking dynamic, and West Ham
is also a better team.
"Last season they were in big trouble. When you are fighting against
relegation, you have to do everything to get points.
"Yes it was a turning point for them because it gave them the confidence
they needed and after that they kept in the division. This team is
different.
"You see the way they play every game, they are a better team, they have
better players and I think also Big Sam is showing now he is not what people
sometimes say - a defensive coach, only knows how to play defensively and
direct with long balls.
"He is giving a completely different image about himself, which can make the
game more difficult for us but at the same time more attractive for
everyone.
"He has my respect. Last season I had a couple of words about the fact they
started winning time after two minutes of the game, which I don't like.
"But I respect him as a coach. As a person he's a very good guy, but as a
coach he has a beautiful career and I'm very happy that he's doing well with
West Ham."
Mourinho and Allardyce may seem unlikely bedfellows but the Portuguese
revealed the pair bonded during their involvement at a charity match during
the summer.
"We exchange lots of messages," said Mourinho. "We have a good relationship.
"Me, him and Peter Reid were together for one week for the Robbie Williams
match in the summer, Soccer Aid, having lunch, having dinner.
"You get a different kind of relationship, you know the person much better,
which you can't do when you just play against each other, see each other for
one minute before and after the game. I like him very much."
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