Brilliant today. He lifted our tempo, controlled our play and scored 2 fantastic goals. Deserves to feature more for sure.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 35
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 2
- Status
You sound like the kind of guy who sees restraining orders as a challenge.
I'm also going to take credit for being a season-long member of the Mata fan club (although I did post a few times in the autumn, wondering why his performances had been so muted.) I love the guy to bits!Love him. I feel vindicated for pleading his case all season when others have said he's too lightweight and other such rubbish.
Just a little Mata...but very important.
Massive performance. Hope we see him as a permanent fixture in that position now. The link-up between him and Herrera is superb.
Wonderful performance. He, Herrera and Valencia build a holy triangle. Surely he deserves his starting place now
Cannot wait for tomorrow's blog. Suave little bastard
Love him. I feel vindicated for pleading his case all season when others have said he's too lightweight and other such rubbish.
Just a little Mata...but very important.
Yep, feeling vindicated today. "Too lightweight", "not creative", "can't do it in big games", "shouldn't play away from home", "Chelsea reject", "panic buy", etc etc. Let's hope that's the last we hear of that nonsense.
Still can't get over that goal Was really good defensively as well I thought. 4 interceptions, 1 tackle (Herrera had 7 tackles and 3 interceptions as well, who said these spaniards are too lightweight?)
Seems to be really suited to that role out as a false winger as Van Gaal called it. Combines brilliantly with Herrera and Valencia as well.
Was really good defensively as well I thought. 4 interceptions, 1 tackle (Herrera had 7 tackles and 3 interceptions as well, who said these spaniards are too lightweight?)Seems to be really suited to that role out as a false winger as Van Gaal called it. Combines brilliantly with Herrera and Valencia as well.
Am I the only saddo that thought "I can't wait to read his blog" when he scored the second goal?
So unfair to judge a player when he's not getting regular games.
And it's not just his ability - it's his whole demeanour/attitude, not just on the pitch, but off it.
No you are not. I did as well.
Neville losing his shit in the background 
Whenever there has been discussion about our best XI I have always included him since the day he arrived, ahead of RVP, Di Maria, Herrera, Fellaini etc. In fact for a couple of months he was costing me a point in the predictions every week as I refused to not predict him in the line-up as it never made sense for him to be left out. Buzzing for him.
Great post. The day he arrived was one of the biggest moments in the club history. To be totally honest, in a fully honest way, I have to say we're not exactly suppose to be able to sign a player like that. In all honesty he should be signed up for a club like Real Madrid or Barcelona. I still wake up every morning feeling like a kid on christmas day when I realise we actually signed this guy.
€37m - should go down as the biggest bargains in the club history.
His link up play with Herrera was sex
A bit ott mate lol but the wee fella is a magician
I can't see your post.
I've been a critic of Mata so it was great to see him so clinical in front of goal today. That said, his pure output in terms of goals and assists has never really been the issue.
I do think that the current system and his position in it, suits Mata. The danger with him playing centrally is that he doesn't offer much defensively, and when he has a bad game he tends to be completely invisible. On the wing neither of those things are such a problem, and he has Herrera covering on his side, chipping in defensively as well.
Basically I like him in this role although if he could just try to somehow become a little quicker then he would be much more dangerous out wide. Still with Herrera in support and a FB overlapping, Mata has great license to cut inside and influence the game, which is what he does very well. It also poses a problem to the opponents marking him.
I do think that the current system and his position in it, suits Mata. The danger with him playing centrally is that he doesn't offer much defensively, and when he has a bad game he tends to be completely invisible. On the wing neither of those things are such a problem, and he has Herrera covering on his side, chipping in defensively as well.
Basically I like him in this role although if he could just try to somehow become a little quicker then he would be much more dangerous out wide. Still with Herrera in support and a FB overlapping, Mata has great license to cut inside and influence the game, which is what he does very well. It also poses a problem to the opponents marking him.
To be fair, there's an argument that it didn't make sense to play him earlier in the season. When we always had two up front, it arguably made more sense for Rooney to play in behind RVP and Falcao since he generally offers a higher overall workrate than Mata.
Now though, we seem to have found a system which suits Mata's game, and he's also upped his own game as well. I really like him, but he was often fairly anonymous earlier in the season and would struggle to make an overall impact on a match in his play. He's fixed that now though, and has found both a level of productivity and excellent football.
That's a fair point. If we play two strikers it is hard to accomodate Mata, but at this point and time we have given every single other attacking two a try and this 4-1-4-1 we played today and again Spurs has been pure sex.
So Rooney can start up top but Mata gets on the pitch every day for me as the other attacking player.
Yep, I'd agree right now.
I thought he was destined to be sold in the summer but he has looked like the player he was at Chelsea in the last two games and arguably that is his best position playing on right of a front three, he took both goals brilliantly today and I hope it continues.
2 outstanding finishes today
His touch was impeccable today. He never looked troubled in possession.
Best #10 in the side by far. Next season he needs to be starting there week in week out.
Said it for ages but Mata is so far ahead of anyone in that position in the team it's unrreal. Best touch and close control by a mile.
Said it for ages but Mata is so far ahead of anyone in that position in the team it's unrreal. Best touch and close control by a mile.
Looking so forward to his blog tomorrow.
He is indeed. He has a unique combination of vision, intelligence, finishing, and patience that is rare. Towards the end when we were controlling the ball in their half, he could've easily gone for goal or passed it to another attacker, but instead opted to keep possession. Fantastic player all around.
That's that, he's done enough for me to call him a legend just like Berba had with his hat-trick against the feckers. But just how good was the 2nd goal though? He's awesome
Add to that his production. Statistics don't always tell a story but you can't ignore that Mata gets assists and gets goals. He manages to take those attributes you've correctly highlighted but also convert them to real tangible end products consistently.
That's that, he's done enough for me to call him a legend just like Berba had with his hat-trick against the feckers. But just how good was the 2nd goal though? He's awesome
The more I watch it the better it gets.
Absolutely love the little magician. Skills are only matched by his great attitude. How many other players can respond as well as he has after being left out of the team for a good portion of the season? Sure he must have been disappointed, but never complained and is always a great teammate. Anyone recall towards the end of the game, when he could have attempted a low percentage shot to get his hat trick but instead pulled back and wasted more time? Announcer said it best "Mata cares more about getting 3 points than he does about getting his 3rd goal". Ultimate professional. So stoked for him.
Actually given mata's lack of physicality I think herrera looks better than him in central areas and hence as a number 10 albiet from central midfield. Mara was our best player today though. This right sided midfielder position is suiting him superbly.
His second looks better every time you see it, sublime finish.
he was mustard today
Mata needs a chant not quite sure it will ever catch on but I sing this on fifa when Mata scores Change "my girl" to "Mata"
'
Change "my girl" to "Mata" '
Alright sassy.
Ha!
Looked like he did during his best form for us today, influencing things and dictating play.
- Status