I think you need to consider that his options last night to win the trophy were hampered by an out of form sonny (who looked off the pace and unfit when he came on - Tel would have been the less emotional choice) who was returning from an injury, and the loss of our three most creative midfielders in Madders, Kulu and Bergvall. Looking at who was fit and the task at hand, he did what was needed to get a trophy. That's pragmatism l, which ironically is what most of the Ange out phalanx have been screaming for all season.
If you're a dyed in the wool "Ange out" man, then there's nothing I can say that will change how you feel. But if we were to finish 10-12 and win the champions league next season how would you feel?
Fair comment. I would have picked exactly the same starting XI, and I was happy to have Sonny, Tel and Odobert on the bench.
I was actually pro-Ange until about January, when it became patently clear (IMHO) that his system had been found out and Premier League teams had the tools to break it down. Not even just the top half teams either. And that's without counting the last couple of months where Ange had (rightly) prioritised the cups over the league.
We lost a lot of league games by being overly attacking. Then we won the Europa League with some real backs-to-the-wall super-defensive performances -- while Ange kept banging the drum about playing his way. Was it entertaining? Nope. Don't forget that we've beaten Frankfurt, Bodo/Glimt, and the worst Man U team in recent memory. And, apart from the first leg against a bare bones Bodo, none of them convincingly.
Last night, we basically shut up shop and offered absolutely nothing in midfield or attack. And while we were lacking Bergvall, Maddison and Kulu, don't forget that we had a midfield three of Bissouma, Bentancur and Sarr -- all of whom have been first choice at some point in the last two seasons.
I think a decent Man U side would have scored, and we'd have had nothing left to do anything about it.
Answering your question, of course I'd be ecstatic if we finished 12th and won the CL. I just can't see it happening. And if we did it through performances like last night's...