Monaco - Post Match thread.

[Newman Noggs]

Where are our big game players ? I'm not even talking Messi or Ronaldo but the next layer down. Where is our Ramos, our Robben, our (young) Chiellini ?

That's the second year running I've watched players, some of whom are supposed to be world class, completely choke on the big stage. Very disappointing.

 

[EllisMCFC]

The high line for the freekick did it for me. I just knew something bad would come out of that. Should be at least 5 yards off when protecting an in-swinger like that.Thought Pep might learn that one from the Sergi Roberto goal vs PSG at the end to win the tie.

 

[Shirley]

Joe Hart was our big game player in the CL games, he had many a motm performances.
Not blaming Willy but it was that first half non appearance from the entire team including Pep.

 

[RayCTID]

Joe Hart was our big game player in the CL games, he had many a motm performances.
Not blaming Willy but it was that first half non appearance from the entire team including Pep.

Hart wouldn't of made that much of a difference. Monaco would of exploited a few more weaknesses. As always we got off to a slow start.

 

[BLUEinTheUSA]

My God, that first half. One of the most abject halves of football I've ever seen us play.

 

[HenryNacho]

I'm not really too bothered by this result as I normally would be. With our defense we were never going to win the champions league, whether we go out now or go out in the quarter or semi finals doesn't really matter. Now that we are out of Europe we can focus on getting top 4, winning a tournament we actually have a shot at, and rebuilding in the summer.

 

[mancity1]

I don't know who's to blame with our transfers over the past 5 years, it's been nothing but a shambles. People blame ffp, Mancini sacking, marwood, txiki, pellegrini who ever it was spunking all that money has done a pretty shit job. Last summers dealings are promising, young quality players, thats what we should be buying. Hopefully it carries on this summer with the defensive side of the team. We're not far away from being one of the best in Europe, we just seem to lack several players in a few different positions every season. After this summer when we've stocked up our defence it will be how do we replace yaya, silva etc. I want to see a balanced squad with quality throughout, like Barca, real and bayern.

We have no real quality in the back half and failing that

I'm not really too bothered by this result as I normally would be. With our defense we were never going to win the champions league, whether we go out now or go out in the quarter or semi finals doesn't really matter. Now that we are out of Europe we can focus on getting top 4, winning a tournament we actually have a shot at, and rebuilding in the summer.

The rebuild is crucial and we have to get players in that know how to compete with success on big stage.

No need to name them but most of squad are too old , too slow and unable to handle the big occasions or find the spark needed when things are not going to plan.

 

[Mancityus]

My God, that first half. One of the most abject halves of football I've ever seen us play.

Sure did not see any football by City in first half.

Impressed by how tactically astute Pep is with urgent changes and substitution - wait he only needed one with around 10 minute left, maybe he did not know about away goals rule and thought draw was enough.

 

[Jumanji]

Forget tonight now, it's gone.

Huge huge huge few league games coming up. We all know the title is gone so we have to concentrate on top four now. That's our level unfortunately.

Huge summer too, if we want to get to the latter stages of this competition next year. At best we need:

- minimum of 1 goalkeeper. (Willy is getting old and bravo isnt even a number 2): £20m
- 3 fullbacks. £20m each average: £60m
- minimum of 1, likely 2 centre backs (Vinny injury prone and a reliable partner for Stones): £80-90m
- 2 central midfielders (Silva getting older, ditto yaya): £80-100m
- 2 strikers of Jesus/Aguero class: 2x£40/50m = £80-100m

Total spend of circa £320-370m.

Depressing but nobody died so move on, fight for top four and rebuild again in the summer.

Although it's what we need, if we replace that many players at once, it will take 1-2 seasons for them to gel together.

 

[super_city_si]

Where are our big game players ? I'm not even talking Messi or Ronaldo but the next layer down. Where is our Ramos, our Robben, our (young) Chiellini ?

That's the second year running I've watched players, some of whom are supposed to be world class, completely choke on the big stage. Very disappointing.

We have them but they are 19,21 & 22. Couple of years and they will be world class.

 

[Armaan]

Where are our big game players ? I'm not even talking Messi or Ronaldo but the next layer down. Where is our Ramos, our Robben, our (young) Chiellini ?

That's the second year running I've watched players, some of whom are supposed to be world class, completely choke on the big stage. Very disappointing.

The term world class is thrown about too loosely. In reality, we have no world class players. Aguero and Yaya used to be world class. Kompany was for a season (would always be if he wasn't injured all the time). Apart from that, none. Silva doesn't score enough to ever have been deemed world class.

 

[mancity1]

Although it's what we need, if we replace that many players at once, it will take 1-2 seasons for them to gel together.

If you know what your doing in the transfer market you get players that jell from the outset.

Top players are just that sure they won't win every contest or win the player of the month award every month but consistency of effort is the name of the game.

Out thinking , out playing your opposition no matter circumstances , that desire to win at all costs lacking in our make up these days has to replaced by players that have it.

Many examples over the years.

The difference between our best and worst is too big and most of the squad are well past their prime now.

We came out of the blocks asleep tonight and got what we deserved against a side we can and should be easily accommodating but if you wanted a finer example of how much

we need to change this squad tonight was the night for all to see.

 

[Shirley]

It's not actually Peps fault that this coming summer we need a minimum of 9, maybe as many as 11 new first teamers buying, to say nothing of the squad players that will need to be bought. Easily as much as £350-450m to spend again and then another season in transition to bed them all in.

Reality check needed.

 

[mancity1]

Reality check needed.

At least 6, I would suggest Shirley.

Our defence needs a complete overhaul and we need more strength , guile and agile defensive midfielders.

 

[nellyonthewing]

Perhaps we should sign whoever signs the Monaco players. Cost bugger all and make some of our millionaires look useless.

 

[nellyonthewing]

Not to worry it will all be OK next year when he signs jack Wilshere......

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Played poorly in the first half of both matches, but especially last night.

Realistically we knew we weren't good enough to win it but it's crazy that Leicester have got further than us.

 

[TotalFootballOne]

The thing with Pep here was he should've bought Toure in after Sane goal, to bring fresh legs to City midfield and some physicality/height also. He played KdB too far back when he was making a lot of mistakes in terms of losing possession and tackling which I believe led to Monaco 3rd goal. Aside from that there was little he could do Monaco in the first half camped City into their own half the City players couldn't string 2 passes together, nor control the game, after the first goal they got worse and seem to have been shook. The first half was literally watching a repeat and rise type of cycle.

City board should've been cashing in on some players year or two back and bring in proper replacement. It doesn't help losing Gundo and G. Jesus to injury who would've been a big help. Gundo is also a big game player, but until proven other wise it seems he'll only play 15-20 games a season maybe less.

 

[Shirley]

At least 6, I would suggest Shirley.

Our defence needs a complete overhaul and we need more strength , guile and agile defensive midfielders.

Totally agree the whole defence needs an overhaul and I put it down to Pep underestimating the prem by thinking his passing from the back will dominate games.
He's certainly had his fingers burnt.

 

[TotalFootballOne]

I think it was more of him thinking those players were capable of doing it for the full season.