I dont think Rodri played simply because his form had dipped. it happens. He was very influential during the middle third of the season but started to wane come the end of the season and happily Fernandinho hit form at the right timeSo Pep is deluded then? As surely someone who has been integral to the success of the team this season wouldn’t then not play in the two biggest games of the season and the biggest game in this clubs history?
Ruben Dias has been integral to the success this season. So has KDB, so has Foden, so has Gundogan, so has Walker, so has Ederson.
All played in the biggest games this season.
Rodri who is supposedly as integral, nowhere to be seen in the two biggest.
So integral.
Happy to at least be in the same association as someone like Pep Guardiola though, the deluded blues.
One of my pet hates, drives me crackers. I’m glad it’s not just me.
Well done Pep
the overall criticism was not " Pep out", more like " ffs, why". Criticising fans wont make them into phlosophical sages, nodding wisely as things unravel on the pitch in a way that most predicted when the team was announced. Those claiming Pep was out-thought by the tactical genius of TT playing big sam tactics are just out to stick the knife into City, the game handed them ammunition by the truck-load. The "armchair geniuses who haven't managed a school team" can spot the ice-berg looming dead ahead though, and be appalled when the ship stays on course until the disaster is inevitable.20/21 was one of our most successful seasons ever, partly because of the brilliance of our manager. And it ends with a huge wave of negativism toward this same manager.
Negative reactions within certain limits may be healthy and helpful. When they are OTT though, they become self-destructive for the club. A lot of people happen to think now they know better than one of the best managers in history how to play successfully in a CL final. Distrust and mockery of the manager won't bring anything good though.
At the start of the season I was pretty confident Pep would sign a new contract and we were going to win the PL, even after we were 12th in November. Now I think next season is likely to be worse than 20/21, Kane or no Kane, and Pep might leave after its end.
Fans won't make Pep a better manager by severely criticising his tactics in the CL and agreeing with negative cliches about him spouted by the media and rival fans. He won't say, OK folks, you were right, I was totally wrong, from now on I will play the team you think is the best! Pep is Pep because he is a little bit crazy and tries, and will continue to try, things, which may seem unreasonable to a lot of people. The clash with reality for the armchair geniuses who haven't managed even a school team but think they know better than him what to do in a CL final will be painful.
the overall criticism was not " Pep out", more like " ffs, why". Criticising fans wont make them into phlosophical sages, nodding wisely as things unravel on the pitch in a way that most predicted when the team was announced. Those claiming Pep was out-thought by the tactical genius of TT playing big sam tactics are just out to stick the knife into City, the game handed them ammunition by the truck-load. The "armchair geniuses who haven't managed a school team" can spot the ice-berg looming dead ahead though, and be appalled when the ship stays on course until the disaster is inevitable.
There is not a better, more successful manager out there, there is no general desire to replace him. The fan's reaction was not unreasonable, given the heights we have reached with the same squad, imo. Personally, i cant help wondering how the dressing room reacted, a shrug? indifference? bafflement? Probably best if we never find out.
One of my pet hates, drives me crackers. I’m glad it’s not just me.