Monaco updated!

[Bridgey@Stockport]

Monaco hot seat!

Mike Bridge fresh from his short tenure as Everton caretaker was back in another caretaking hot seat. This time across the pond in EFL1. He definitely would like to be back at Everton as he watches them struggle from afar with some questionable team selections and the loan deals Bridge made for the premier league outfit ignored it’s a difficult watch.

Inheriting an already aging squad at Monaco, this is not a task for the faint hearted. With a new manager coming in for the start of the they lasted no time at all as the gravity of the job at Monaco is huge. The pressure told and they left the club by mutual consent. Bridge had this to say when asked about his plan for Monaco “What do you want from me? It’s not how it used to be! I’m here to take some points away. The previous managers ruined everything!”

Bridge has tried a few tactical switches since starting and hasn’t found anything to make these old players shine. So he initiated a plan to get some more reliable players in. They definitely needed a fifth defender too, four defenders and two defensive midfielders are definitely not the way forward to keep this team in EFL1.

Bridge has released Emre Can, the only reason for him to go rather than Haidara was age, ability wise they are identical. Any interest in Can came too late and he was released to sell him now. Next up Ziyech was brought in to fill in at attacking midfield but also up top. A 27 million pound signing from PSG he will replace the out going Awoniyi who was deemed surplus to requirements. With as much cash as he could muster Bridge sold some squaddies and with the cash bought Alaba from Barca. A beast at the back who will be considered their best defender straight away. Next plan is to reduce age while reducing quality. Hopefully the synergy of happier, younger players will help this team survive.

With the players brought in to play the system they’ve been given a shot. Bridge is happy with the squad but they are hovering above the relegation spots.

First up he had a home game against Celtic a tough game but one of the ones that Monaco need to take maximum points from. They did that with an emphatic scoreline. 3-1, although the stats did slightly favour the away side, the home side were clinical and it was a dream start as caretaker. Goals from Jovetic and a brace from Awoniyi, only conceding to a Samuel Umtit own goal. To add to that Arthur the midfield maestro took the man of the match.

Next up an away trip to Inter Milan, a really tough place to go since GarySean has left the position and JohnBoy has taken over. Bridge tried to incorporate the two defensive midfielders and five at the back. This hasn’t worked for his parent club and didn’t work here too. Monaco managed to get TA but the strength of the home side were too much and Bridge’s side slipped to a 1-0 loss.

Luke Shaw for Inter taking the man of the match and the only goal of the game coming from Adli in the 59th minute. The recent additions to the squad will help with being more competitive and being able to play a more balanced formation.

In the next game Monaco took on European giants Barcelona. Still using an experimental formation they played attacking football and went for it. The risk didn’t pay off and they were picked off at will by a strong Barca side. Goals from M_Kayode (10), D_Washington (14), K_Volland (47), R_Lewandowski (76), L_Querfeld (85) and the only reply a consolation from Caio_Henrique (52) meant 1-5 scoreline and a humbling for Bridge. Washington taking the man of the match as well. Meaning the Stade Louis the second faithful left drying their tears.

The final game before the transfers the caretaker manager wanted, arrived was PSG at home. Jeez the tough games come think and fast. Bridge used his favoured formation and fudged the current players into that system. Despite not being optimal Monaco put the disappointment of conceding early in to equalise and take this lead within a very short period of time. They looked to hold on to this but they lost the lead close to half time. No side could find another breakthrough and they shared the points, the home side happy with this point the away side and Simon Clark the complete opposite and visibly upset by losing ground on Juventus and Barcelona. The goals from the home side were from Arthur and Immobile, the best player although not man of the match was PSG old boy Ziyech. The away goals coming from Ramos and man of the match Mbappe.

So after 6 games Bridge’s record 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses. Combing league and cup, is an OK start, but with his own players now coming in he will be pressed more on his results going forward. Even though it’s a tough division he won’t get too long to get it right!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL 1 league game 5

Monaco 3 - 1 Celtic

First game in charge of the mighty Monaco as caretaker and it couldn’t have gone better. An even game stats wise, but the lads showed how clinical they can be on their day, with them scoring all 4 goals. Jovetic with the first then the away side equalised after Umtiti scored an own goal. Then a brace from Awoniyi meant we ran away 3-1 winners. Arthur in the middle of the park picked up the man of the match for pulling the strings and orchestrating the win.

As I say stats wise a draw would maybe have been a fair result l, but fair results don’t keep you in the top division. You have to fight for every single one. I was just disappointed not to be in charge against Roma in the previous league game. Just so I could have that more of a head start seeing where these players are and what the team need going forward to be more balanced and competitive. Celtic are a good side but there are bigger and stronger teams no disrespect meant and we will need to give more in all departments to compete. I’ll assess over the next few games to see what changes need to be made.

Good game Matthias.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL 1 league game 6

Inter Milan 1 - 0 Monaco

A tough away day at the San Siro against Inter in this game. As stated in previous media we tried a more experimental setup to combat how good the home side are. This would be the acid test compared to the previous game and we failed unfortunately. This game did so much more in letting me know what this club needs to help the next manager hit the ground running. Ignoring age for the time being as most of the guys are the wrong side of 30.

We managed to start the game with tactical advantage, but the formation we chose really stifled our progress going forward. The stats heavily in the home sides favour. Could we steal a win? Unfortunately not, Adli for Milan exposing an error from Henrique in the 59th minute meant they took the lead and saw it out to win 1-0. Luke Shaw picking up the man of the match for Inter too meant nothing went for us today.

Monaco definitely need a 5th world class defender and the second defensive midfielder could do with being an attacking midfielder to help put these bigger teams under pressure. I’ll strive in the transfer market over the next few weeks to make this happen. I’ve already made moves to bring in Ziyech and will probably look to move Emre Can on to facilitate this deal. The tough games come thick and fast with a home game against Barca next up.

Good game JohnBoy.


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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL 1 League game 7

Monaco 1 - 5 Barcelona

With still trying to find the squads sweet spot we went experimental again. Expecting the great Barca side to play European, we decided to go for it and play as attacking as possible while have 7 defensive minded players in the starting 11. So in essence shoring up as Nush as possible while giving us as much opportunity to score. It was one of the all time great back fires, not only did we not score many we shipped a load of goals instead. Having seen the chatter to promote the said formation, either the poor players at Monaco can’t play this formation and style or the said style being “Strong” is what you would describe as poppycock. My view is that the first part of that statement is true, some not all of the players aren’t good enough for EFL 1. A lot of them are too old too.

A few people have asked me, “Even if you picked the optimum formation how different would the scoreline have been?” Honestly, I see the score being tighter but it’s still a loss in my opinion.


The transfers we need will be in after the 8th league game. News on the grapevine is that Alaba from Barca will be moving to Monaco to give them the leader mentality they’re missing. Iago the defender who’s been given a lifeline at Monaco is making way to create this space, a 22 18 defender replacing a 18 13 defender is such a good move! The club will have enough cash too to pay wages and then look to reduce age across the squad. Not many teams like players over 32 but I say if you still have it physically and mentally I have no problem you giving it all for this team.

The stats in this game suggest a 1-3 scoreline, but the away side were on it. First blood went to Barca M_Kayode in the 10th minute, then a quick fire second from man of the match D_Washington in the 14th, they took the foot off the gas until after half time with K_Volland catching the home side cold after the restart. Monaco got their reply and only consolation in the 52nd minute via Caio_Henrique, but that only angered Barca into two retaliation goals from R_Lewandowski in the 76th and from L_Querfeld in the 85th.

Great game Sam! Back to the drawing board (on rental from Hamza at Roma, loan fee agreed and paid).

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL 1 League game 8

Monaco 2 - 2 PSG

Another test, but we setup in what I think is the strongest formation for this team and the guys put in a performance that if sustained throughout the season could save them in EFL 1.

With Alaba confirmed too this team will only be stronger in the next game, but in this game we had to come from behind, show character early too. PSG took the lead in the fourth minute via the Portuguese star striker G Ramos and Monaco gave some grit and determination to equalise through Arthur who had surprised with his performances despite rumours of his future. He equalised in the 11th minute and Monaco pushed further and took the lead in the 28th minute with an Immobile strike. Unfortunately though PSG showed their class and Monaco couldn’t see the game out with MBappe with the man of the match award scoring in the 60th minute meaning the spoils were shared. The stats show that PSG had a slightly better of the game but I think a draw is a fair result.

I was reminded after the game that PSG had an early injury that threw them off. That would have had a domino effect of issues they would have had to deal with. But take nothing away from the home side you can only beat what’s in front of you! They didn’t win but they certainly didn’t lose either.

Well played Simon.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL league game 9

Fiorentina 0 - 1 Monaco

After a morale boosting point against PSG we headed to an away day against fellow struggling Fiorentina. The home side stronger on paper meant we would be up against it to get a result here. We definitely needed a result though or this could be a very long season in the caretaker hot seat.

We setup the Monaco team to be solid at the back and counter and the lads were able to stifle the home side into minimal efforts on target. The stats looking very healthy at the end of the game. Not only did the Monaco team shut out the home side for a clean sheet, they were able to take all 3 points from the Stadio Artemio Franchi with an unlikely goal scorer A Cresswell on the 21st minute. Cresswell also came away with the man of the match award too.

Lots of positives in the game today, the only blemish on this was a slight injury to Alaba who will miss the next game too. We also learnt how the lads are able to dig in against superior players as a team and a unit. We’re hoping to push to around 50 points this season and if possible surpass this total and have the highest points haul for Monaco since FFO 2 started.

While aiming for this our main issue to resolve is to reduce the age of the players at what seems an OAP home for players.

Good game Neil.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 10

Monaco 2 - 2 Borussia Dortmund

Another point from our next home game against Borussia Dortmund. Means we’re unbeaten in 3. A game we seemed to have the lions share of, but I never felt fully in control. We took the lead in the 34th minute via a Cresswell strike. Making it 2 in 2 for him. Only to be pegged back on the 40th minute. We pressed forward and managed to take the lead again on the 46th minute with OAP striker Immobile, but we couldn’t keep the away side out again and they managed to square it up again in the 60th. No team after this could take all 3 points, Monaco tried to push again but were stifled when Jovetic was sent off for a terrible challenge. From that moment it was damage limitation. So, 5 points from a total 9 available we will happily accept.

Now we’ve steadied the ship and getting some good performances it’s time to start re evaluating the squad and individual players to start replacing and reducing the average age. Cresswell, Coates and Immobile will be up first in the chopping block. Monaco will use their limited funds to lose as little abs as possible for as much age in their replacements.

Next up we play Sporting Lisbon, we really need to continue this great form and get as many points on the board as we can. A good run can flip 180 so quickly and we could be back in more of a relegation fight faster than you can think.

Good game Niall.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 11

Sporting Lisbon 0 - 2 Monaco

The run continues, with a disciplined performance away at Lisbon. Another clean sheet and that makes 8 points from a possible 12 in our last games.

Starting with tactical advantage we countered the homes sides passing tactic. This meant Monaco controlled the game fully and restricted Lisbon to 3 shots in total. Only one of these being on target.

Honestly, since starting as caretaker at Monaco they’ve surprised me so much. We’ve picked up so many more points than I expected to. It makes me very reluctant to replace the current players with younger ones. I really don’t want to lose the cohesion these lads have. I’ve been given a task though and that’s to make Monaco more attractive to a new manager to take over and that’s what I’ll do.

Unfortunately the guys I need to move on seem to be the teams best players. Immobile with another goal and Coates too. With Cresswell being a rock at the back as well their replacements need to be mustard. Otherwise the fans could turn sour as well as the positive results we’ve been accumulating.

My scouts have found some decent replacements on paper for Cresswell and Coates. We will look to make offers on A Telles and O Zinchenko respectively. We’ve made little or no progress on a replacement for Immobile, we’re struggling to find anyone close to his experience and goal tally. We may have to accept replacing 2 out of 3 of those specific players.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 12

Monaco 0 - 2 Atletico Madrid

Unfortunately the lads didn’t turn up for this game. Let’s not take the performance away from the away side they nullified us from the off. No excuses, we had our strongest 11 out and played our preferred formation at home. We should have been more effective, however, we weren’t. This is probably the third instance where we’ve been out played, out fought and out thought since I took over the job. These kind of results tell you more about your team than when you play well constantly.

I think we need to tweak our formation and that will mean it will be a great time to make those transfers discussed after the last few games.

So we will push those through asap. In the game Atletico had a goal disallowed early on and the. Monaco had a strong penalty appeal turned away. Straight after this K Havertz opened the scoring for the visitors and then straight after half time Kolo Muani doubled their lead and they never looked back. We had nothing to lay a glove on them to get us back in the game. The result not in keeping with how the lads have played in recent weeks, but they will have an off day and won’t be able to win every game. But to be disappointed about this result shows how far this team has come in a short space of time since taking over.

Well played Marshy.

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 13

Bayern Munich 0 - 2 Monaco

Next up one of the big boys away. Honestly, at most we were hoping for a point today, but everything went our way.

The home side recorded nine shots all of which were on target, but we hey came up short and were unable to score. Bayern didn’t have it all their own way, Monaco gave as good as they got and managed 7 on target from 10. Ziyech a 27 million pound signing from PSG continues to impress with a brace, the first goal in the 39th minute and the second in the 71st meant we won both halves. To show how difficult the game was, our two best players were the keeper Gollini and Umtiti, the later getting the man of the match award from defence.

I was so proud of this performance, especially bouncing back from the defeat in the previous round. We stuck to our principles, staying away from playing P which seems to be our kryptonite and let the home side have tactical advantage.

The fear we’d struggle when Cresswell and Coates left were allayed with amazing debuts from O Zinchenko and A Telles. It was a gamble but we’ve improved seconds and age at little or no cost to the club I’m hoping we can achieve a decent run of results and make the team look more attractive to a new manager to take over. Results like this one certainly help!

Well played JB

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 14

Monaco 1 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen

Another victory at home this time to struggling Leverkusen, it seems from far away that we struggled here, but it’s nothing more than not being as clinical as we usually are.

The stats were heavily in our favour and we should have honestly scored more and put more daylight in between us and the visitors. At 1-0 anything can happen and any team can at least take a chance to share the points. Luckily, we kept another clean sheet and took all three points to keep pressure on the teams that are mid table.

I think mid table is our ceiling currently as the teams above are a class above in every department. I did expect a few more losses but that kind of form is always just around the corner so we must stay vigilant.

C Immobile got the only goal of the game and the man of the match, supporting that fact it would be cutting our nose off in spite of our face to let him go for a lesser striker. Obviously if someone pops up that fits the bill we can move at that point. I honestly think we may need to see what we can do in the end of season transfers, maybe risk an auction purchase for him. I’m keeping the options open but I have no definitive idea how to move forward.

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EFL1 league game 15

Napoli 1 - 1 Monaco

We started the game with tactical advantage and I was feeling confident that we could take all three points. The whole game though was end to end and the stats at the end of the game shows how even the game was and how a draw was a fair result.

I am disappointed we weren’t clinical with the 10 shots of 16 that were on target. Our attacking midfielder S Jovetic was man of the match but we left it to D Alaba to score our goal. The away sides goal came unfortunately from our own player S Umtiti, there wasn’t much he could do to prevent turning into his own net.

Looking at the positives though another away game and another game where we have avoided defeat. Something we can continue to build on and pick up further momentum.

With heavily investing so much time into Monaco there have been questions for me to take over permanently at Monaco, I’ll stay for as long as needed in a caretaker capacity, but I’ll hand over the reigns when the time is right to the new boss. In the mean time I’ll give my all to get them into the best possible place for the new manager to hit the ground running and break through the ceiling to get into the top half of the table. I do think this is possible though or I wouldn’t be here setting it up!

Good game Napoli!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 16

Monaco 1 - 1 Lazio

We were hoping the Lazio revival under Ryan would hit a bump in the road against us. We were able to take a point from them but at home I was hoping for the full 3 points.

I’ll look at the positives though and we avoided defeat again. I am aware we’re starting to draw too many and a bit like Stockport County were not scoring enough goals. I’ll look to the transfer market to find support up top for C Immobile. I think defensively we’re sound so like County just the goals to add for the perfect setup!

After a good week of thinking whether Monaco could actually be the next move in my FFO career I’ve decided that I won’t reconsider and I’ll stay at my home town team Stockport County. The amount of work I’ve put in over there is something I must see out and I want to see how that story pans out. I plan to invest further over there and invest heavily. They’re also pushing to get to the premiership and I’m the man to get them up there and then take them to the next level.

It’s all about the link between me the club and the fans over there. Let’s take nothing away from Monaco they’re amazing, they’re just not “My” club. When I pass the reigns over the person to take them will be the right person!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 18

Juventus 4 - 0 Monaco

We setup with tactical advantage away to the league leaders, but thats the only thing that went right today.

The gulf in class between the top sides is astronomical and the scoreline shows that and whatever we tried to combat this definitely did not work.

Despite this the scoreline looked respectable at half time and you could say Monaco were still in the game. After half time however, the flood gates opened and the home side ran out 4-0 winners. With the away side barely having a shot let alone on target.

Up to this point in the caretaking tenure we’ve done pretty well and able to pick up points frequently. We will need to keep the pressure on the other teams in the league and continue to push towards the 50 point total to make sure we end up being safe and showing all our previous hard work has been earned.

Today everything went wrong, but days like this will be few and far between if we stick together, continue to work hard and we will pick up the points we need.

It could be worse Monaco could be having a stinker of a season but it won’t be as bad as how Roma are doing. Since the change in manager they’ve been nothing shorty of terrible. Are they having just an of season or is this how it will go from now on for them? Who knows but I’m eager to watch and find out!

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[Bridgey@Stockport]

EFL1 league game 19

Monaco 1 - 1 Rangers

A great game for the home side, the stats show we dominated the game and should have truly won the game. Unfortunately the game ended 1-1. I am disappointed in the result, but we’ve played Rangers a few times this year in the league and Europe we’ve not had many positive results, mainly defeats and this time I’m happy to take a point.

It’s something we can build and learn from. Especially after how little we created in the previous game against Juve.

Since signing Ziyech from PSG he’s been nothing short of amazing. Really showing the other players how it’s done. In training and in the games. He equalised for us today and picked up the man of the match too. I’m really happy with how much he cost too, a bargain at 27 million. He was definitely a short term signing as I feel all the long term ideas need to come from a new permanent manager. I don’t feel it’s fair to implement anything past this season in case the new setup want to use the resources in another way, wasting what little they have.

I will definitely give my ideas and support to a new manager but won’t be offended if they aren’t used. Let’s hope I can get them into a shape so it makes it easy for a new manager to come in and hit the ground running. If that’s the case we need more performances like today.

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