Well done boss

[mcfc1632]

Nonsense. It has nothing to do with not winning the league. It has to do with the many gutless performances turned in by the players and clueless 'formations and tactics' from the manager, together with the seeming acceptance of those poor performances. If the players had put in the same effort all season as they showed yesterday, I'm sure the vast majority would have stayed to show their appreciation.

I don't believed City fans are over-entitled or developing as you put it. We are the same as we've always been. I recall plenty of times dissatisfaction with the board/manager/players was shown far more vocally than this bunch have had to deal with.

As I said - all about opinions. How you can say my opinion is nonsense is beyond me. It is my opinion - simple fact and based on a lot I read on here.

Another trend I see of this forum - is for those that do not share the mob mentality to get shouted down. Sorry I feel as entitled to have my opinion and express it as you. I really felt that the majority of fans let themselves and the club down.

I also think that all this 'anger' at the performance is for a lot of fans convenient bollocks - we seem to have a generally lazy bunch of fans at the Etihad which has been demonstrated for years by the lack of attendance, early leaving and poor atmosphere.

 

[Dribble]

The thing is Billy we (owner, executives and supporters) view ourselves as an elite club now.

We were promoted to the elite, Champions League, level in 2011 and dependent upon results face relegation out of it in 2016. What makes it very hard to take is it's self inflicted - everybody could see the car crash that was about to unfold when the team against Southampton was announced - and we're potentially allowing our bitterest rival and biggest competitor to get promoted at our expense.

So yes, it does feel like we're about to be relegated because unless West Ham save us we are. It's no different than being relegated from the Premier League, the Championship or League One. It's all about the context of what level you're at. I'm sure Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon and the Chinese view it that way. They aren't interested in York away or Dickov's miracle equaliser against Gillingham.

Absolutely brilliant post!

 

[Marvin]

The other problem we have is that the Premiership now is extraordinarily competitive.We have teams like Liverpool and Spurs who regardless of what some fans would like to think are likely to be a force in the near future and teams like Leicester can come through because the Premiership is awash with money and a few judicious foreign signings can land you a world beater like Mahrez. Chelsea and City are going to find it more difficult to re-establish themselves in a very very competitive league.

We don't need to make massive changes, but sometimes it takes time for players to bed in and make an impact. It doesn't always work

 

[mancity1]

The holistic stuff is the kind of language you get from executives trained at American schools of management and finance. It was amusing at the time.

The football problem was that Pellegrini tried to retain the core of Mancini's team beyond its natural shelf-life and I don't know whether that was his decision or his pay-masters. If I was a City player I'd have very quickly lost faith in what Pellegrini was trying to do so it's not surprising they downed tools. Your downed tools argument rings true. We have all moaned about the players, but without direction and a believable strategy, lethargy sets in. I don't think we'll ever know whether the stasis was due to Pellegrini or the lack of impetus from the club being in pre-Guardiola limbo (compounded by FFP). Man Utd also stagnated in the end years under Ferguson as the Glazer financial constraints set in.

No doubt it was a combination of the shelf life , poor management and poor replacements which you have to take as a whole.

In saying that I belief the players lost respect and interest in MP long ago and good people who have the best interests of the club at heart should not have been loyal to an appointment that wasn't going to last beyond one season when other sides and managers worked out how to beat us.

 

[crystal_mais]

Hey we are all getting really worked up about this same Champions League competition that our fans don't really like, boo the anthem etc

I stayed behind to see the clap the manager and players off. But that's because I wanted to. I totally understand the level of frustration and reasons why the fans didn't stay and I hope the Management and Players have got the message.

But a small part of me wished we could have all stayed and give some appreciation. But that's just my opinion.

 

[BillyShears]

How would this be viewed in Madrid, Barcelona or Munich? Perhaps they should give their heads a wobble too?

Personally I view them as winners. They are the clubs Sheikh Mansour wants to "knock off their perch".

We're not little City anymore. There's no excuse for judging us by lower standards than the big boys.

I've read that comment in lots of places "what would Madrid Barca Bayern do". Well they'd sack their manager for a season of underperformance as we have done. That's not really a surprise. They'd line up the best replacement they could find too, which we've managed to do. I've got no issue with any of that - but really, this is like being relegated? Nah, not for me at all. Comments like that just smack of unnecessary hysteria.

 

[mcfc1632]

I wasn’t there yesterday but I was at many final games through the dark years. Back then people stayed and applauded on the last day of the season whatever. I even think there was a better turn out for the Alan Ball team that got relegated so dismally and the season after when we were relegated for the second year on the bounce.

To not applaud the team in a year when we won the league cup is a bit embarrassing, it reflects very badly on the current supporters. If you were happy to walk out yesterday what would you do if we finished mid table or worse? Some of the comments just reek of entitlement which – given where we have been - is just wrong!

Yep - seems an unpopular opinion to hold - but one I agree with.

I am glad to have been one that stayed. A lot of people on here (rightly) criticise the performance of the players - we fans have (only IMO) not been great performers at the Etihad this season and previous ones - only at the away games do you really see zealous support and fans making real effort)

 

[The blue phantom]

The thing is Billy we (owner, executives and supporters) view ourselves as an elite club now.

We were promoted to the elite, Champions League, level in 2011 and dependent upon results face relegation out of it in 2016. What makes it very hard to take is it's self inflicted - everybody could see the car crash that was about to unfold when the team against Southampton was announced - and we're potentially allowing our bitterest rival and biggest competitor to get promoted at our expense.

So yes, it does feel like we're about to be relegated because unless West Ham save us we are. It's no different than being relegated from the Premier League, the Championship or League One. It's all about the context of what level you're at. I'm sure Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon and the Chinese view it that way. They aren't interested in York away or Dickov's miracle equaliser against Gillingham.

Tremendous post.

 

[BillyShears]

Not being relegated from the premiership but being relegated from the comp many including the owners believe is the comp we have to excel in with the manager saying needs domestic matches compromised if the best outcome is to be achieved.

That is not hysteria by any stretch , its more the attitude taken by the manager and the players in part as a result of this attitude which is second rate.

As said before MP was a nice guy but a poor manager in terms of getting the players to play as a team and getting the best out of them individually and collectively.

I'll refer you to what I said earlier. We'll mount a title challenge next season with the best manager in the world at the helm. Being relegated from the CL for one season (if it happens) will not be the end of the world and for people to suggest that it's tantamount to being relegated from the league because our expectations have changed is IMO hysterical nonsense.

I did expect a few more to at least acknowledge the effect the incoming manager will have and the fantastic ownership we have at the club overall, but I guess the time is not right for that kind of perspective. Hopefully a week from now with the season over we'll be looking to the future with a little more positivity.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I do think Pellegrini went into this with his eyes wide open.

He has been on message since day one, an interim, a highly-paid one at that, afforded the opportunity to actually enhance his European club CV with some tangible silverware.

We have perhaps tried to be a little too cute for our own good, in terms of how we prepared for the inevitable arrival of Pep.

I'm sure the medicine Pellegrini was forced to take at the end had him thinking 'these unknowing and ungrateful bastards have all hung me out to dry"....

But he was complicit in the deal, the gift of a Lowry painting, just further evidence of how he was compliant and the best option for the board and the owners.

 

[argyle]

I do think Pellegrini went into this with his eyes wide open.

He has been on message since day one, an interim, a highly-paid one at that, afforded the opportunity to actually enhance his European club CV with some tangible silverware.

We have perhaps tried to be a little too cute for our own good, in terms of how we prepared for the inevitable arrival of Pep.

I'm sure the medicine Pellegrini was forced to take at the end had him thinking 'these unknowing and ungrateful bastards have all hung me out to dry"....

But he was complicit in the deal, the gift of a Lowry painting, just further evidence of how he was compliant and the best option for the board and the owners.

Not just Pellegrini's fault.

Txiki and his transfers have been woeful

Also the players have been half arsing performances for 18 months. Hope a lot of them are out the door this summer.

 

[SiMCFC]

I've read that comment in lots of places "what would Madrid Barca Bayern do". Well they'd sack their manager for a season of underperformance as we have done. That's not really a surprise. They'd line up the best replacement they could find too, which we've managed to do. I've got no issue with any of that - but really, this is like being relegated? Nah, not for me at all. Comments like that just smack of unnecessary hysteria.

I always enjoy your posts Billy, but it seems like you have got caught where I was last season where I was still stuck in 'little City' mind set, I have to pinch myself every so often but we are a top side now so not getting top 4 really is on the level of getting relegated in my opinion. If it happened at Madrid it wouldn't just be the manager sacked, the fans would be rioting until the president quit, We as a club are at that level nowadays.

I do respect your opinion but I don't think people are being particularly hysteric tbh.

 

[BillyShears]

I do think Pellegrini went into this with his eyes wide open.

He has been on message since day one, an interim, a highly-paid one at that, afforded the opportunity to actually enhance his European club CV with some tangible silverware.

We have perhaps tried to be a little too cute for our own good, in terms of how we prepared for the inevitable arrival of Pep.

I'm sure the medicine Pellegrini was forced to take at the end had him thinking 'these unknowing and ungrateful bastards have all hung me out to dry"....

But he was complicit in the deal, the gift of a Lowry painting, just further evidence of how he was compliant and the best option for the board and the owners.

They rolled a dice to wait for Pep and if we finish top 4 this season they'll feel vindicated overall in Pellegrini's 3 year tenure. Even if we finish 5th they'll probably think it was worth the risk to ensure that they could move Pep in whenever he was ready.

What they should've done is sacked Mancini in 2012 and brought Pep in then. Giving Mancini that extra year began this entire process.

 

[VOOMER]

It was the last game of the season and traditionally fans stay behind to cheer the team. Also the under-18s were being presented with their trophy and that was worthy of respect being showed.

I guess that it is a by-product of how CITY fans are developing - unless we have won the league it is a failure so fuck the club.

Each to their own opinion - mine is that our fan base is getting a little 'over-entitled' in their attitudes

It was a cowardly and cynical ploy to drag out the youngsters after, rather than before, or at half time. Watching Hugh boy drag out the process mirrored well against Ferrano holding his hands to his head in despair. We are entitled not to be treated as idiots.

 

[BillyShears]

I always enjoy your posts Billy, but it seems like you have got caught where I was last season where I was still stuck in 'little City' mind set, I have to pinch myself every so often but we are a top side now so not getting top 4 really is on the level of getting relegated in my opinion. If it happened at Madrid it wouldn't just be the manager sacked, the fans would be rioting until the president quit, We as a club are at that level nowadays.

It has a context though. That context is the appointment of Guardiola and the coming to an end of a squad's lifecycle. So although I feel this season has been a bitter disappointment ( said a month ago only getting to the European Cup final and finishing 3rd would save it ) there's surely gotta be the point of view that "fuck me we're getting literally the best manager in the world in a week's time".

 

[SiMCFC]

They rolled a dice to wait for Pep and if we finish top 4 this season they'll feel vindicated overall in Pellegrini's 3 year tenure. Even if we finish 5th they'll probably think it was worth the risk to ensure that they could move Pep in whenever he was ready.

What they should've done is sacked Mancini in 2012 and brought Pep in then. Giving Mancini that extra year began this entire process.

Bingo, I don't personally feel they should feel vindicated, we are a bigger club than that now.

 

[BillyShears]

Bingo, I don't personally feel they should feel vindicated, we are a bigger club than that now.

When I say vindicated what I mean is that they'll feel the appointment of Pep, landing him, was worth whatever short term set back this season throws up.

 

[mancity1]

I'll refer you to what I said earlier. We'll mount a title challenge next season with the best manager in the world at the helm. Being relegated from the CL for one season (if it happens) will not be the end of the world and for people to suggest that it's tantamount to being relegated from the league because our expectations have changed is IMO hysterical nonsense.

I did expect a few more to at least acknowledge the effect the incoming manager will have and the fantastic ownership we have at the club overall, but I guess the time is not right for that kind of perspective. Hopefully a week from now with the season over we'll be looking to the future with a little more positivity.

I agree and have been in the camp that not being in Chumps League may well have a positive impact on us in a number of other ways that will serve us better longer term unlike many on here.

My comments have been more centred on the poor performance in the league this and the way we have been managed.

Both have been substandard and to some extent unnecessary.

I haven't read all the comments but I would be surprised if anyone equated failure to qualify for Chumps League with relegation from the premiership.

We will put 11 players on the pitch in August 2016 hopefully that have more skill are better trained hungrier and know how to play as a team than the one we had for the majority of 2015.

 

[VOOMER]

They rolled a dice to wait for Pep and if we finish top 4 this season they'll feel vindicated overall in Pellegrini's 3 year tenure. Even if we finish 5th they'll probably think it was worth the risk to ensure that they could move Pep in whenever he was ready.

What they should've done is sacked Mancini in 2012 and brought Pep in then. Giving Mancini that extra year began this entire process.

No, they should never been allowed to cross the threshold at our club. Mancini should have been backed and we would be celebrating a 5th title on the trot.

 

[tonea2003]

I always enjoy your posts Billy, but it seems like you have got caught where I was last season where I was still stuck in 'little City' mind set, I have to pinch myself every so often but we are a top side now so not getting top 4 really is on the level of getting relegated in my opinion. If it happened at Madrid it wouldn't just be the manager sacked, the fans would be rioting until the president quit, We as a club are at that level nowadays.

I do respect your opinion but I don't think people are being particularly hysteric tbh.

sort of agree with you mate in that we need to shed this little city syndrome, but to equate it to being relegated is too far, the clubs standing these days means a top 4 minimum is the bare requirement