Joe Hart calls it straight after defeat to Stoke: 'Can't accept how we played'

Joe Hart probably didn't envision picking the ball out of his net twice within the opening 15 minutes of Manchester City's trip to Stoke City on Saturday.

Speaking after City's 2-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium, the English 'keeper was as straightforward as possible, making it clear that the Citizens needed a better performance.

"It was a disappointing start and we could not recover from it," Hart said, according to Reuters. "We didn't play well today. A few of the lads are feeling it from the games we are playing but that is not an excuse. We need to put in at least a 7/10 performance every game and we are not doing that. We can't accept how we played today."

Hart let in as many goals as he made saves, but he and City will have a chance at redemption Tuesday, when Manuel Pellegrini's side welcomes Borussia Monchengladbach in its final fixture of the Champions League's group stage.