What Is lacking?

[MaineDAWG2008]

Midfield... v slow to to get back. N a decent left back.

 

[vmsuhail]

What does pace do against a deep back 5 , 2 holding and a deep 3 forwards, think the bt graphic showed 17 m between the defenders and forwards, pace with no space for it isn’t how to break down an organised deep defence.

Chelsea were not camped in the 18 yard box until half-way through the second half. There was enough space for a long ball and pacy forwards to run onto.

 

[blueparrot]

Chelsea were not camped in the 18 yard box until half-way through the second half. There was enough space for a long ball and pacy forwards to run onto.

That 17 meter graphic with all the Chelsea team.was shown at half time, only time there was space behind was when Ederson had it and went long.

 

[Paul1970]

Same relentless attitude we were two casual yesterday.

One thing I have noticed about Pep is he doesn’t like being wrong. He should have made changes at half time.

A striker in that game and we win.

Bielsa would have changed it on 20 mins if it wasn’t right but pep is pep and he does it his own way whether it’s right or wrong . If we learn from this and adapt then I’m ok with it but I don’t want to see sterling at the club next season but I think he will be and also with a new bumper contract .

 

[adam.marrett]

I think we need a world class striker, and proper left back and another holding midfielder to give us what we need to go one better in the Champions League. Someone like Grealish who can give Kev breaks more often wouldn't go astray either.

It all depends how we bounce back from the Champions League Final loss, I'm hoping it lights a fire under Pep and the players and sparks them to go even harder next season. I'm hoping there won't be to many mental scars from the loss, as it will affect the squad in someway, that's to be expected. We haven't faced this type of adversity for a while, so it's up to our squad and Pep to mentally overcome it and move us on to be stronger and better from the experience.

 

[KevinReed]

1. A proper LB who also plays LB for his Country.
2. A proper striker who can finish
3. A CDM to replace Gundo :)
4. sell Sterling

 

[citymad]

I think we need a world class striker, and proper left back and another holding midfielder to give us what we need to go one better in the Champions League. Someone like Grealish who can give Kev breaks more often wouldn't go astray either.

It all depends how we bounce back from the Champions League Final loss, I'm hoping it lights a fire under Pep and the players and sparks them to go even harder next season. I'm hoping there won't be to many mental scars from the loss, as it will affect the squad in someway, that's to be expected. We haven't faced this type of adversity for a while, so it's up to our squad and Pep to mentally overcome it and move us on to be stronger and better from the experience.

Good post. I agree. Can these players find the drive to go again under Guardiola? We've often seen teams perform poorly the season following a title win and next season will be extremely tough. Chelsea, Dippers and Rags will all be making a strong challenge. Personally I doubt the players can raise the same levels again and after last nights horror show I can see us making the champs league a priority along with our usual visit to Wembley in February.

 

[itisrising]

Nothing is lacking. We’ve got the best squad in European football alongside Bayern. We’re the better team than Chelsea, but in a final anything can happen. We just didn’t turn up.

A new striker and a midfielder and were set for another few years before we have to replace players again.

It's more than just a case of not turning up. The players wanted it badly, they simply didn't have answers to the questions Chelsea asked of us. The same way we couldn't create in either of the other 2 losses to Chelsea. Chelsea were the worthy victors and that isn't to do with the spontaneity of a one off final.

I'm not sure what Pep could've done better, whether Rodri/Fernandinho could've worked, but I would've hoped if anyone could figure it out it would be Pep. They have the inferior squad, manager and motivation yet we were hopeless. We had 3 shots against them but Pep couldn't work out a formula to beat them. It's a bitter blow but the blame has to fall at the feet of the manager; the culmination of poor results in Europe can only last so long before even this current crop lose hope and motivation.

 

[Bluemoonkev67]

Lb, proper goal scorer, more pace up front (badly miss sane) 2 midfield players one a defence minded other attack minded

 

[adam.marrett]

Good post. I agree. Can these players find the drive to go again under Guardiola? We've often seen teams perform poorly the season following a title win and next season will be extremely tough. Chelsea, Dippers and Rags will all be making a strong challenge. Personally I doubt the players can raise the same levels again and after last nights horror show I can see us making the champs league a priority along with our usual visit to Wembley in February.

I think they can, but some fresh faces will be needed to add to what we have. We got lucky this season that the false 9 worked so well, I don't think we can go into next season without a Aguero replacement. That has to be our biggest priority and from what we all keep hearing it is.

It will be tougher next season, but we have done back to back before so we know this group can do it, and go again.

All they can do is front up next season, and go again, it's a long road back to the Champions League Final to right that wrong, but we'll be back hopefully as soon as next season to go one step further.