AS Monaco thread [R]

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Renteria is beginning to come on, I believe he scored today, but I'd say you're right that he hasn't been that good yet. Though based on your opinion, I'll be keeping an eye on him.

We lost a bit disappointingly 1-0 at Le Mans today, even if the end we only lost on a silly defensive error by our keeper. Roma's been one of the better keepers in L1 over the years, though today he committed a fatal error. That's all, hopefully it won't happen again.

Ménez was again our best player by far. Gakpé also impressed coming on as a sub, other than that, everyone else was sub-par, though not horrible.

[SportBoy333]

OM are much better. Their 6-1 win convinced me of that. Monaco are not as good as them. Monaco are better than PSG though. PSG are terrible.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

We will see who's better in a week because we face them in the CdF. They have a definite edge as far as goalkeeper and midfield. As much as I've maligned our defense, we've been playing much better than they have in that area. It appears that Cissé is on form and that will pose difficulties, though I wouldn't say they are that superior to us, if we get something out of Almirón, their advantage in midfield is less, while I'll take Ménez/Gakpé over Akalé/Valbuena, though again, the match is only a week away. Sadly it is at their place, so I'm definitely not counting on a win.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Despite our senior team losing, our CFA team, which is now includes 3 guys who have signed professional deals, won convincingly 4-1. Of note is that Schwechlen is fine as a left back, Zola is strong as always in midfield, Malaury Martin can score off free kicks, and Mongongu appears to be alright in defense. I believe both Schwechlen and Zola will sign pro deals soon. Let's hope they do, since if they don't, they could leave à la Taarabt at RCL.

Also, Veigneau has joined Duisburg.

[SportBoy333]

Mohamed Kallon has signed with AEK Athens and Jeremy Berthod could be loaned to St. Etienne until the end of the season.

[Hrvat]

http://24sata.hr/sport/clanak/obrat-u-dinamu---nikola-pokrivac-otisao-u-monaco/47655/?context=naslovnica&web_page_id=main_page_sport

Dinamo Zagreb's Nikola Pokrivač to AS Monaco for (allegedly) 3,5 mil euros.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Sorry, I don't know much about him. How good is he in your opinion, Hrvat?

[SportBoy333]

Berthod refused The Greens !

http://www.mercato365.com/depeches/filinfo_218376_2514_Monaco-Berthod-a-refuse-les-Verts.shtml

Ouch. These really arent the best of times to be a St.Etienne fan but I guess it does beat the Ligue 2 days.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I am thinking Berthod's refusal to go to Sainté could have a bit more to do with his ties to l'OL.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I think it noteworthy enough that today our U-18 team took on the U-18 championnat leaders, Ajaccio, and whooped them 9-1. Frédéric Bulot and Givestin N'Suki each had a hat-trick, Guillaume Gigliotti, David's brother, had a brace, while Yohan Mollo rounded out the scoring by getting one himself.

[SportBoy333]

I think I'd want to be named David rather than Guillaume.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Alright, after two successive defeats, we've got to get back on track at home, and a win would be expected, as well as important, against a Lille side that is improving with the addition of Mavuba.

AS Monaco FC:

18 Piquionne
11 Nenê - 21 Meriem - 10 Ménez
8 Almirón
7 Bernardi
3 Berthod - 22 Bolívar - 26 Sambou - 25 Cufré
30 Roma


LOSC Lille Métropole:

6 Frau
10 Obraniak - - -
24 Mavuba - 7 Cabaye - 29 Dumont - - 26 Lichtsteiner
20 Tafforeau - 25 Plestan - 23 Rami - 18 Béria
16 Malicki


I don't have that many issues with the lineup. I'd rather have Gakpé in, but we should be good enough to win.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Well, we actually played well, but so did Lille, so in the end, not that bad a result. It's hard to critique anyone today actually, both sides were solid, but when an opportunity arose, the defenses shut it down.

Ménez was again our best player on the day, Gakpé did well off the bench. Roma actually had to come up big in the dying minutes to block a Dumont effort.

[SportBoy333]

Ok I never liked Piquionne much but he's having a decent season and is important to the team.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I can't deny Piquionne is having a decent season, but he's been at about the same level throughout the year now that he's had at Monaco. He has the physical skills and he's a consistent goalscorer. The downside is, of course, he's lazy and doesn't do much of anything else.

Ménez, Gakpé, Nenê, even Meriem, bring more variety in terms of their games, but none of them has the goalscoring consistency that Piquionne has yet. So in that sense, I agree he is important but he'd be among the first I'd sell if I were Pastor, since as soon as any of the guys mentioned develops into a consistent scoring threat (think what Benzema has been doing this season), he is quite expendable.

On a melancholic note, a buddy that I had at the club has decided to move on, so my connection with what's going on behind the scenes at the club is essentially gone. Consequently, I won't be covering the team at all anymore, but it's not like I have contributed that much anyway.

[SportBoy333]

On a melancholic note, a buddy that I had at the club has decided to move on, so my connection with what's going on behind the scenes at the club is essentially gone. Consequently, I won't be covering the team at all anymore, but it's not like I have contributed that much anyway.

Your contributions were much appreciated. I think I told you that before. You know way more than I could ever hope to know. I'm not gonna give up on this team. You think I'm suddenly gonna start investing in some English or MLS team ? Hell no ! I'm not a sheep. Its Monaco or bust or at least until another Paris team makes it to Ligue 1 hehehe.

Since you arent covering them anymore perhaps we should jump on the OM bandwagon now and post exclusively on that forum. HA !

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Yes, why not? I'll enjoy then posting against your views, as I always have, despite our many agreements as well. :)

I can't support l'OM.

Although in a sense, they'd be easier to cover because more of their games are televised/streamed, though yeah. No way will I support them.

Due to my bias in believing in developing players through centres de formation, I'm interested in Nantes when they are back to top flight.

Anyway, I appreciate the support, as always.

[N. Platini]

What the hell happend ? LOL

I hope you are that awful when we play you .

[SportBoy333]

Soccer is a funny game. Bordeaux can score 6 goals vs a decent Monaco team but vs. a weaker team like Anderlecht they could only get 1.

I hope SuperSebGrimaldi is doing ok. This game might have killed him. lol

[guignol]

all i can say is THANKS FOR NOTHING! :mad: