[Ish]

He's fecking unreal

Fast becoming one of my favorite players, alongside Smalling, BFS, Darmian, Herrera, Shaw, Mata, Blind, DDG, Carrick...etc...actually that list is becoming increasingly long. We have a ton of good guys in our team, who happen to be excellent at football as well these days.

I was initially worried about the price, but it seems we might have gotten ourselves a bargain! (way too early to say though, i know!).

 

[Shark]

I love how he's the Caf' dream of a number 9. We've all wanted Benzema for I don't know how long, and appreciated Welbeck' contributions even if he couldn't score. Feels like we deserve to have finally found this gem of a player.

 

[Dante]

So... do people still think he's 'raw'?

I hate it when people describe a player that way. Particularly when it isn't true. It's such a lazy way to try and make yourself sound intelligent.

 

[Revan]

Griezmann is the perfect fit. His speed to beat the offside trap from the no.10 position and ice-cool finishing will complement Martial's hold up game seamlessly.

Yay. Griezmann or Reus next season to play that number 10. role, and hopefully Depay starting playing good and we'll have as good as attack as any.

Martial has been very different on what I expected. He looks more like a 29 years old player than a 19 years old player. Fantastic composure and mentality, in addition to his undoubted talent.

 

[Borys]

So... do people still think he's 'raw'?


I hate it when people describe a player that way. Particularly when it isn't true. It's such a lazy way to try and make yourself sound intelligent.

I always thought "raw" is an attribute of a player who tends to lose ball because of bad decision making or poor touch (Memphis comes to mind actually). I wouldn't say he's raw, he seems to be consistent with his ball control. He's good enough to play every game for us on current form, that's for sure.

 

[2mufc0]

He looks ready to be honest, nothing seems to phase him. Only thing i would worry is about burn out, he will need to have a rest eventually. Problem is we have no other striker like him and we would be pretty toothless when he doesn't play.

 

[Shamwow]

So... do people still think he's 'raw'?

I hate it when people describe a player that way. Particularly when it isn't true. It's such a lazy way to try and make yourself sound intelligent.

He's raw in the same way that a rare cooked sirloin steak is raw.

 

[Dante]

I always thought "raw" is an attribute of a player who tends to lose ball because of bad decision making or poor touch (Memphis comes to mind actually). I wouldn't say he's raw, he seems to be consistent with his ball control. He's good enough to play every game for us on current form, that's for sure.

People use that word to make it look as though they're clever enough to 'see' potential. In actual fact, they're just hedging their bets by pinning the responsibility on the player to improve. It's a meaningless phrase.

 

[Pexbo]

The thing I find bizarre is that us average joe fans had barely heard of him. Was it just assumed that he was looking good because of the standard of Ligue 1 and that he's surprised a lot of people by stepping up a level against better opposition?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The thing I find bizarre is that us average joe fans had barely heard of him. Was it just assumed that he was looking good because of the standard of Ligue 1 and that he's surprised a lot of people by stepping up a level against better opposition?

It's all about the trajectory of his improvement. He's turned a corner in the last 12 months and kicked one from being one of dozens of highly rated young players into one of the most promising around. When that happens in a short space of time then it's easy to catch "average joe fans" by surprise. I'm a "lower than average joe" myself at this sort of thing as I only watch PL/CL football and don't play the Football Manager game. I prefer it that way. There's enough young players to keep on top of at our own team, never mind scouting the whole of fecking Europe.

 

[Pexbo]

It's all about the trajectory of his improvement. He's turned a corner in the last 12 months and kicked one from being one of dozens of highly rated young players into one of the most promising around. When that happens in a short space of time then it's easy to catch "average joe fans" by surprise. I'm a "lower than average joe" myself at this sort of thing as I only watch PL/CL football and don't play the Football Manager game. I prefer it that way. There's enough young players to keep on top of at our own team, never mind scouting the whole of fecking Europe.

I definitely don't scout young talent like I used to. As you say it's probably a Football Manager thing (specifically unearthing wonderkids) but I think as much as anything its an age thing, or at least just spending the last 15 years following football online, you soon realise 99% of the players hyped at a young age don't live up to the hype and there's little point in following them.

I can remember one article though, I think on F365, that had a list of "Wonderkids" and one of them was Messi. Under the "Who is he?" bit they said he's the reason Barcelona will likely cash in on Ronaldinho soon, he's that talented." or along those lines. I remember scoffing at it and thinking there's no way you let a once in a generation talent like Ronaldinho go because you have a good youngster coming through.

I'm going to dig out the article now...

 

[Rozay]

His piece of footwork followed by his left footed strike that went just past the top corner was lovely. Some goal that would have been.

As for armchair scouting - I'm no average joe, I'm th best armchair scout in the world! Jokes aside, with me, if a player catches my attention I may start following, usually to see he's the real deal or not. Sometimes a player's style or story just touches me too so you form early attachments and always try to 'check in'.

I first saw Martial at th Emirates last season, and he immediately caught my eye. I just tried to keep an eye out here and there after that. My proudest scouting job was Thiago Alcantara though. First saw him playing for Barca youth teams in the #10 shirt while I was looking for clips on Iago Falque and Gai Assulin, who had been linked in random articles. Followed him ever since, so when we were 'close' to signing him - I was a sad man in the UK who felt proud as if he were one of my own.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

It's all about the trajectory of his improvement. He's turned a corner in the last 12 months and kicked one from being one of dozens of highly rated young players into one of the most promising around. When that happens in a short space of time then it's easy to catch "average joe fans" by surprise. I'm a "lower than average joe" myself at this sort of thing as I only watch PL/CL football and don't play the Football Manager game. I prefer it that way. There's enough young players to keep on top of at our own team, never mind scouting the whole of fecking Europe.

Interestingly it seems that he was held back by a certain Mr Falcao. Ranieri was quizzed critically by the press when he subbed off Falcao for Martial. I think Monaco's biggest ever signing gave him much less chance at getting minutes at the typical 'wonderkid' age.

 

[Borys]

People use that word to make it look as though they're clever enough to 'see' potential. In actual fact, they're just hedging their bets by pinning the responsibility on the player to improve. It's a meaningless phrase.

Interesting thought. I think you make a valid point although I never took it that way. To me it means “there is a lot of aspects in his game that he has to improve” to become a good player. That’s how I would refer to Memphis. As for Martial, he does the wrong decision from time to time but I’m 100% sure he will be a star in one or two years (that’s because I don’t expect him to continue playing in such form, there will be dips obviously). I’d call Depay “raw” because I don’t have that certainty, so I guess that proves your point.

 

[K2K]

The thing I find bizarre is that us average joe fans had barely heard of him. Was it just assumed that he was looking good because of the standard of Ligue 1 and that he's surprised a lot of people by stepping up a level against better opposition?

Was linked to Barca just a few weeks before joining us , and from these comments its evident that they were looking at him

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/barcelona-...al-amid-reports-they-were-chasing-him-1518489

Reports in Spain had previously suggested Barcelona were tracking Martial as a possible replacement for Pedro Rodriguez, who has left for Chelsea. While Fernandez refused to confirm these stories, he did admit his fondness for the Frenchman's abilities.

"He is great prospect for the future. He broke through last season and is a very good player," Fernandez said to Mundo Deportivo. "United have paid a lot of money to get him but if a club pay that... he has a huge potential for progression. But I'd rather not talk about players from other clubs."

http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/anthony-martial-appears-barcelonas-transfer-radar-4458622

Also linked with Spurs and Wenger's comments seem to suggest that he was interested. So its likely he was a known commodity amongst the top club's scouts, and United just moved ahead of everyone else for him.

 

[Jonno]

Another good performance last night, we've got a very good player on our hands.

 

[JPRouve]

My proudest scouting job was Thiago Alcantara though. First saw him playing for Barca youth teams in the #10 shirt while I was looking for clips on Iago Falque and Gai Assulin, who had been linked in random articles. Followed him ever since, so when we were 'close' to signing him - I was a sad man in the UK who felt proud as if he were one of my own.

I feel you, I followed Barcelona because of him, before that I couldn't care less about them.

 

[Rozay]

Interesting thought. I think you make a valid point although I never took it that way. To me it means “there is a lot of aspects in his game that he has to improve” to become a good player. That’s how I would refer to Memphis. As for Martial, he does the wrong decision from time to time but I’m 100% sure he will be a star in one or two years (that’s because I don’t expect him to continue playing in such form, there will be dips obviously). I’d call Depay “raw” because I don’t have that certainty, so I guess that proves your point.

I think it is simple rhetoric more often than not really. Mere lazy cliché. If a player is young, everything he does well is a testimony to his great 'potential', and his mistakes are due to 'rawness' or 'inexperience'. If a player is older, his positives are down to his 'experience'.

Ryan Giggs, for example, still regularly gave the ball away with stupid attempts at back-heels and flicks up until he retired. These things are typical 'inexperience', excpt he's 40, so we can't call it that.

Martial won't be considered the best player or striker in the league regardless of what he does this season. It's likely he will only be considered the 'most promising'.

 

[Tarrou]

I missed the first half yesterday and just saw the highlights. The feck was Dante up to when Martial skipped past him in the first half?

 

[devilish]

Catalogue boy not impressed by Martial

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/michael-owen-martial-not-taking-my-breath-away

Michael Owen says Anthony Martial has “done what he had to” but not ‘taken his breath away’ with his performances for Manchester United so far.

United paid an initial £36million to sign Martial from Monaco on transfer deadline day, but the 19-year-old has responded to raised eyebrows about his transfer fee with four goals already for the Red Devils.

Owen, however, is not getting carried away about the Frenchman’s performances.

“He has done what he had to do, that was the question mark before he came because he didn’t have a goalscoring record,” Owen said.

“I am not watching him and he is doing things I haven’t seen before, he’s not taking my breath away but you can’t pick any holes in his game right now, he has scored four in four.”

 

[Empire]

I get shudders when I think where our attack would be without the lad. We hit the fecking lottery with him, didn't we? Don't care what anyone says, nobody thought he'd be this good so soon.

Not even Louis van Gaal who said when he signed him it's for his successor and even recently that Martial's ability to create for other players has surprised him.

 

[Shark]

Michael Owen is a twat. A boring twat to boot.

This is the same guy who never forgets to sing Rooney's praises, even when he has zero impact on a game.

 

[Brightonian]

'He's not even handed round a promotional leaflet or anything.'

 

[Sir A1ex]

The only issue is Rooney at the moment

That's kind of the ironic point I was making...

 

[Sir A1ex]

As long as we don't make him angry and confused it should be o.k.

 

[Steven Seagull]

Owen

He's a parody of himself now.

 

[Varun]

The kid is the absolute business and he's doing it alone for the most part with Memphis fading in and out of games and Rooney fading in and out of consciousness.

Nice.

 

[J-Stander]

Catalogue boy not impressed by Martial

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/michael-owen-martial-not-taking-my-breath-away

Michael Owen says Anthony Martial has “done what he had to” but not ‘taken his breath away’ with his performances for Manchester United so far.

United paid an initial £36million to sign Martial from Monaco on transfer deadline day, but the 19-year-old has responded to raised eyebrows about his transfer fee with four goals already for the Red Devils.

Owen, however, is not getting carried away about the Frenchman’s performances.

“He has done what he had to do, that was the question mark before he came because he didn’t have a goalscoring record,” Owen said.

“I am not watching him and he is doing things I haven’t seen before, he’s not taking my breath away but you can’t pick any holes in his game right now, he has scored four in four.”

I really hate that Scouse bastard. An absolute travesty that he pulled on our great shirt.

 

[LeChuck]

This kid will go far.

 

[Pexbo]

He's no Michael Owen, lets just leave it at that.

 

[Ducklegs]

Michael Owen can go feck himself with his "might as well if got it from a packet of cornflakes" league winners medal.

 

[jeff_goldblum]

Owen in not-recognising-a-striker's-abilities-beyond-scoring-goals shocker.

 

[Kostur]

That first half, Jesus, he was doing what he wanted with their defenders, his footwork is amazing.

 

[Rossa]

He looks so relaxed whatever he is doing. Against Southampton there was a run against their fullback in which the fullback was sprinting his socks off, and I thought "run you lazy fecker" but Martial just glided away from him without breaking a sweat. Amazing physique. Also, not speaking English seems like a big plus as he shuts his trap and gets on with playing football.

 

[stepic]

Rooney isn't good enough to be playing alongside this guy. which is rather sad to see from Rooney's perspective, but amazing to see from Martial's.

 

[Trigg]

His reactions are the best. He gets fouled, fouls, scores, creates or whatever really he just has this dead pan expression. It's kinda funny. Dante got into his face last night after a foul and he didn't bat an eyelid. His temperament along with his not so obvious strength are major assets. Not to mention his actual technical ability.

 

[NinjaFletch]

His reactions are the best. He gets fouled, fouls, scores, creates or whatever really he just has this dead pan expression. It's kinda funny. Dante got into his face last night after a foul and he didn't bat an eyelid. His temperament along with his not so obvious strength are major assets. Not to mention his actual technical ability.

That was absolutely hilarious.

Dante was going fecking mental and shouting at the referee and throwing the ball around, and Marital just got up with a blank expression on his face walked to his position for the free-kick.

A nice contrast to Costa who would have probably poked Dante's eyes out and slapped him a bit.

 

[)_(]

Catalogue boy not impressed by Martial

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/michael-owen-martial-not-taking-my-breath-away

Michael Owen says Anthony Martial has “done what he had to” but not ‘taken his breath away’ with his performances for Manchester United so far.

United paid an initial £36million to sign Martial from Monaco on transfer deadline day, but the 19-year-old has responded to raised eyebrows about his transfer fee with four goals already for the Red Devils.

Owen, however, is not getting carried away about the Frenchman’s performances.

“He has done what he had to do, that was the question mark before he came because he didn’t have a goalscoring record,” Owen said.

“I am not watching him and he is doing things I haven’t seen before, he’s not taking my breath away but you can’t pick any holes in his game right now, he has scored four in four.”

Nothing what's said here makes sense.., what does he expect Martial to do? He isn't going to reinvent football but you can clearly see his talent and if Owen can't see that he needs to stop watching and commentating on football and focus on his horse-business.

 

[devilish]

I really hate that Scouse bastard. An absolute travesty that he pulled on our great shirt.

I never understood that either. He should have been remembered as the eternal loser like his mates Carragher and Gerrard. It such a shame that SAF allowed him to join us.

 

[Welsh Wonder]

I think it is simple rhetoric more often than not really. Mere lazy cliché. If a player is young, everything he does well is a testimony to his great 'potential', and his mistakes are due to 'rawness' or 'inexperience'. If a player is older, his positives are down to his 'experience'.

Ryan Giggs, for example, still regularly gave the ball away with stupid attempts at back-heels and flicks up until he retired. These things are typical 'inexperience', excpt he's 40, so we can't call it that.

Martial won't be considered the best player or striker in the league regardless of what he does this season. It's likely he will only be considered the 'most promising'.

That's what I wanted to say but you've put it perfectly.

One thing I absolutely love about Martial is when he turns and gets a player 1-on-1 - If he doesn't skin him it comes as more of a surprise. He's an edge of your seat player and I'm looking forward to watching him develop for us.