I dont see the issue. He can play behind the striker as Rooney will move on and Mata's position has never been cemented there
Antoine Griezmann
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The issue people have with that is that Pogba then has more responsibility as a part of a two man midfield.
The problem isn't him having more responsibility, it's when he's played as the holder as he was when Fellaini was paired with him at the beginning of the season. Pogba needs a holding passer for a midfield partner more than he needs two actual midfielders next to him. For example, I'm of the opinion that taking Herrera out and playing a midfield two of Carrick and Pogba wouldn't lead to a big drop in consistency in performances from Pogba. Pairing him with players like Fellaini, Schneiderlin, Kante, Matuidi or Khedira, would be a problem.
But you're not factoring in the work Herrera currently does.
If we played Griezmann as a 10 and allowed Pogba to play his natural game, the ground Herrera makes up in the middle and final third, interceptions and tackles he make then have to be made up by either your holding midfielder (who then has to be more mobile and regularly leave the area he should be marshalling or it's down to Pogba who then has to cover much more ground and be much more disciplined.
Actually I think it's both. Pogba needs to have someone who can link things up behind him as well as players who can take some of the defensive responsibility off him. Expecting one player to do that on their own while we play a #10 ahead of him strikes me as a terrible idea.
If we played a midfield of, say, Carrick/Pogba/Griezmann then Carrick would get run all over. If we played a midfield of a destroyer/Pogba/Griezmann then our midfield would be disjointed.
The current set up with Carrick/Herrera/Pogba as a #10-less midfield makes sense for Pogba. We should be trying to upgrade that midfield while keeping the shape rather than cramming him into a shape that suits him less just so we can sign a different galactico.
If we played a midfield of, say, Carrick/Pogba/Griezmann then Carrick would get run all over. If we played a midfield of a destroyer/Pogba/Griezmann then our midfield would be disjointed.
The current set up with Carrick/Herrera/Pogba as a #10-less midfield makes sense for Pogba. We should be trying to upgrade that midfield while keeping the shape rather than cramming him into a shape that suits him less just so we can sign a different galactico.
We don't play with a player behind the striker or a number 10 very often now. Our improvement in form and performances is since with moved away 4-2-3-1 with a number 10 and moved to a 4-3-3 with 3 midfielders. That's the issue.
The 4-2-3-1 with Greizmann at number 10 could work quite well against the weaker teams but against top sides we would get dominated in midfield again. Herrera would be left to try and run the midfeild on his own as Pogba is a liability defensively and goes missing.
I think Griezmann would play on the right wing and cut in with Valencia keeping the width. And I believe that will work.
He's won't be brought in as a #10 at the detriment of Pogba.
He's won't be brought in as a #10 at the detriment of Pogba.
If we bring in Griezmann, surley we are looking for him to replace Zlatan as #9? The big man can't go on forever, and I expect him to be used a bit more sparingly next season. Also, I am aware of Mourinho's preference for a target man up front - but Griezmann could easily interchange with Martial who has potential to develope those physical attributes.
You're right, and I'm not saying we should just take Herrera (or any player like him) out of the question, but there are specific games where his contribution and skill set are needed more than others, for example at Arsenal I would never play with a two man-midfield even if it was Scholes and Keane let alone the likes of Carrick and Herrera. That's why Ander is important in those situations to maintain a compact and pressing midfield to an extent.
However, games against the likes of Hull and Swansea at home are different. We should be expecting to dominate those types of games in a way that doesn't require someone like Herrera in midfield. When they park the bus and our CBs are camped on the half-way line both Pogba and Griezmann can play their natural games with Carrick (or similar other) holding. Those kinds of games relative to the quality of the opposition should make up most of the season. When the big games come along we can sacrifice one of the attacking players (Martial, Mkhitaryan) to put a Herrera kind of player in the midfield and play Griezmann as well. Sir Alex used to do that, and gone are the days where the same 11 players play every single type of game during a season.
Surely if this is the case, and Pogba needs to be mollycoddled by two centre mids to not be a liability and go missing, then perhaps we have wasted our money buying him.
If Griezmann comes in and we move to a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-2-3-1 or whatever then Pogba will either have to adapt and learn to be a centre mid or be on the bench in big matches.
Maybe it's a bit like Luiz at Chelsea. In times past he was expected to bring the ball forward and did poorly defensively. Now his job is just to defend and it's working well. The change in mindset/role could work well.
I think back to the 4-0 against Leicester. Mata was in the hole and so Pogba was the second midfielder instead of the third. Pogba tracked back well, he tackled a lot and used his strength to good effect. He dominated the game in the way Roy Keane would dominate a game.
We all know how skilful Pogba is but maybe that's some of his problem. He tries to do too much and it doesn't work all the time. Maybe if you withdraw him a little he will keep his game simple but when he does try something special it will come off.
I think back to the 4-0 against Leicester. Mata was in the hole and so Pogba was the second midfielder instead of the third. Pogba tracked back well, he tackled a lot and used his strength to good effect. He dominated the game in the way Roy Keane would dominate a game.
We all know how skilful Pogba is but maybe that's some of his problem. He tries to do too much and it doesn't work all the time. Maybe if you withdraw him a little he will keep his game simple but when he does try something special it will come off.
And Miki on the right and Martial benched? Can't see that happening. Think I'd prefer him as a striker and a bit of interchange between him, Martial and Miki going forward.
Herrera Pogba
Mkhitaryan Griezmann Martial
Ibrahimovic
This would be perfect against the teams that are 10th or below in the league.
We can then switch to a
(Carrick Replacement)
Herrera Pogba
Mkhitaryan Griezmann Martial
Against the top 10 to give us that extra stability, exactly like what Mourinho did at Chelsea.
Getting that Carrick replacement, Griezmann and a top class defender should be the 3 signings we make in the summer - none of that quantity over quality that will only turn us into Liverpool.
Mkhitaryan Griezmann Martial
Ibrahimovic
This would be perfect against the teams that are 10th or below in the league.
We can then switch to a
(Carrick Replacement)
Herrera Pogba
Mkhitaryan Griezmann Martial
Against the top 10 to give us that extra stability, exactly like what Mourinho did at Chelsea.
Getting that Carrick replacement, Griezmann and a top class defender should be the 3 signings we make in the summer - none of that quantity over quality that will only turn us into Liverpool.
Very similar to what I said about our current 3 man midfield with Mata instead of Griezmann, different horses for different courses. I just drool thinking of playing the top teams with Martial, Miki and Griezemann up top... the speed on the counter. This ofc leaves us with Rashford and Mata as subs depending on how the game is playing out with possession.
Grab Griezemann, get a replacement for Carrick, and get the LFB sorted
.How much pace does he got?
Similar to Mkhitaryan in the way he runs.
Wow, Gerrard has a ground-breaking theory that Griezmann didn't join in Jan cos Atletico are in the last 16 of the Champions League. No way!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/steven-gerrard-thinks-knows-antoine-9734301
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/steven-gerrard-thinks-knows-antoine-9734301
Christ!
How many top players ever move in January from a team competing in the CL. The Jan window is for panic buying.
Who are you mocking here: Gerrard or the journalist?
Both tbh. Non-story based around a thick ex-player stating the bleeding obvious.
Why do so many people assume this is going to happen? Is it because his brother is a United fan as my brother is a Spurs fan so I don't see why that would mean anything.
All reports iv read said he turned us down in the past he had even tweeted good things about Liverpool recently which you wouldn't think he would do if he was United bound
Personally I think he is Chelsea bound
All reports iv read said he turned us down in the past he had even tweeted good things about Liverpool recently which you wouldn't think he would do if he was United bound
Personally I think he is Chelsea bound
If he does come here he will probably have the freedom taken out of his game.
Anyone who thinks that signing Griezmann is a no go because it would take Pogba out of his preferred position should look no further than tonight. Never offers enough going forward to justify it and we look toothless in a 4-3-3. The lack of goals is killing our season.
Even though he's a United fan with some of his best mates here, after seeing how shite we are, even he is probably reluctant to join us.
Anyone who thinks that signing Griezmann is a no go because it effects anyone in this side wants to give up watching football, it's not even up for debate how much in serious need we are for players like him
The challenge depending on how we end the season is convincing him to come
What would be the point?
You sign players like this in their prime to bump you to title/CL challengers. Not for getting you 4th from 6th.
You sign players like this in their prime to bump you to title/CL challengers. Not for getting you 4th from 6th.
Griezmann SOS!
Yay. Another big overhyped signing to make us feel better about failing.
Can't wait...
Can't wait...
Cocks out lads, cocks out..
Wait, who is this Mr Menes guy?
Wait, who is this Mr Menes guy?
We need a clinical finisher and Griezmann is one of the best.
No brainer if we can convince him to come here. I don't even care about the Pogba issue anymore, just get him.
No brainer if we can convince him to come here. I don't even care about the Pogba issue anymore, just get him.
Yay. Another big overhyped signing to make us feel better about failing.
Can't wait...
This is pretty much how I feel. Zero excitement about this.
Totally agree. I still don't see how we could fit him into the side without hurting the huge egos of some of the players at the club.Yay. Another big overhyped signing to make us feel better about failing.
Can't wait...
A player of Antoine's ability, you find a way to fit him in the side and let's be honest some of the huge egos in this team need hurting.
Can't hurt any worse than finishing 6th.
I had a feeling after today's game his brother texted him, "we need you bro".
Is he? There are 40 players in Europe's top 5 leagues with more goals than him this season. His career average is a goal every 197 minutes.
Agree. We should go all out for Crouchie and Rondon instead.
Unless we use Mkhitaryan as part of the deal. Which I wouldn't be against, to be honest.
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