[Drainy]

Struggling under pressure on the ball at the minute. Not losing the ball, but struggling to create further up the pitch.

I can see him playing deeper to try and get him on the ball facing the goal more, particularly if we sign an actual competent number 10

 

[Jaybomb]

We need to stop playing him so deep!!!

I can't stress this enough. It's infuriating to see a 89m signing behind the half way line while we're attacking. He needs to be bombing forward like Lampard used to do.

 

[harms]

Fellaini would offer more

What the heck?
Would he create 3 one on one situations in one game? Scratch that, in the entire season?

 

[Rado_N]

Social media sure, but transfer fees quite clearly are relevant and as much as you'd like to talk about marketability or whatever the fundamentally most important thing is what happens on the pitch. We're a football team not a marketing agency.

There are an enormous amount of variables that go into deciding on a transfer fee, the most important of which being what it takes to convince the selling club to part with their prize asset.

People get far too caught up in the mythical concept of "a £90m player" and other such nonsense. It's stupid and has no basis in reality.

We broke the transfer record to sign a central defender for £30m and everyone thought it was madness, 10+ years later and not a single sole talks about what Rio cost. Pogba is a young lad with all the potential in the world and is already incredibly talented, focusing on the transfer fee is short sighted and completely missing the point.

That's without even touching the enormous marketability which you apparently want to ignore but brings in millions upon millions every year.

Leave the financials to the pros.

I think there's a huge amount to worry about with Pogba. He looks miles away from the finished article, his run of good performances have largely been the exception, he seems to only be able to play in one position (and even then only with a babysitter), he drifts in and out of games, he struggles in the big games and he struggles to impose himself.

He's not miles away from the finished article at all that's just kneejerkism in the extreme. He's also played brilliantly in more than one position.

He's playing like a lad who's played too many minutes in the last 24 months and needs a bit of a break. That's all.

He's obviously not a write off, and anyone saying otherwise should give their head a wobble, but he clearly hasn't made the initial impact expected of him (as the 'world's best midfielder' according to Mourinho).

Jose talks up his players, no surprise there.

 

[Rado_N]

Jose needs to clamp down on the bullshit. He can build brand Pogba all he wants once he has some medals in his pocket.

He's not a redcafe mod unfortunately.

 

[Zoo]

And Pirlo + Marchisio. Pjanic seems to be doing a better job in Pogba's absence and they don't look like they miss him at all.

That's not true. Chiellini was bemoaning his absence just a few weeks ago.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/st...and-usain-bolt-for-juventus-giorgio-chiellini

Pogba just needs to mature. I can't believe people aren't excited about his talent and up until the Liverpool game he was showing it more and more.

 

[JuveGER]

Scoring screamers from distance, yes, but he's never been a clinical close-range finisher, he's always been more of a creator than he has been a finisher. I don't know the stats to be honest, but I'm pretty sure he's never scored over 10 goals in the league for Juve, anyone can correct me if I'm wrong.

That is correct. He scored 9, 10 and 10 goals in three seasons with us (in all competitions). And he has always been drifting in and out of matches and had lots of anonymous matches with us, too. That wasn't as noticeable with us, because domestically we are just too strong, so it was fine as Long as Pogba would just occasionally come up with some brilliance. You paid for potential and the expectation that he will provide these moments of brilliance more consistently.

 

[Utdstar01]

We need to stop playing him so deep!!!

I can't stress this enough. It's infuriating to see a 89m signing behind the half way line while we're attacking. He needs to be bombing forward like Lampard used to do.

He pretty much took on the Carrick role when Rooney came on.

 

[Womp]

That is correct. He scored 9, 10 and 10 goals in three seasons with us (in all competitions). And he has always been drifting in and out of matches and had lots of anonymous matches with us, too. That wasn't as noticeable with us, because domestically we are just too strong, so it was fine as Long as Pogba would just occasionally come up with some brilliance. You paid for potential and the expectation that he will provide these moments of brilliance more consistently.

This is honestly what I don't think our fans understand, it's as if we signed Modric or something, expecting him to have the experience to dominate every game. Pogba is still learning his trade, he can do things other players in football couldn't dream of, people genuinely writing him off after half a season is baffling.

 

[ZDwyr]

People really need to calm themselves down before they post on here after a bad result. It's crazy how over the top people get.

Anyway, disappointing performance. He wasn't alone though. I do think he should have been rotated more through the season but maybe it isn't a fatigue issue. He's remarkably durable at least.

 

[Scholesy]

Don't understand the criticism, isn't a problem

 

[JohnnyKills]

This is honestly what I don't think our fans understand, it's as if we signed Modric or something, expecting him to have the experience to dominate every game. Pogba is still learning his trade, he can do things other players in football couldn't dream of, people genuinely writing him off after half a season is baffling.

Mate he's 23, not 18. When will he finish learning?

 

[Drainy]

We need to stop playing him so deep!!!

I can't stress this enough. It's infuriating to see a 89m signing behind the half way line while we're attacking. He needs to be bombing forward like Lampard used to do.

Lampard was great with the timing of his runs and ability to shoot from around the penalty area. Pogba has a great passing range and long range shooting- he can move to around the penalty area but he is not as strong inside the box.

His price is irrelevant, the only thing that matters is playing in a way that gives the team the best chance of winning.

 

[El-Manos]

He's not brilliant at the moment by any means, but Zlatan's performances recently have been a lot worse along with many other players.

 

[SiamDevil]

Still created great chances despite not playing well. I'm still optimistic.

 

[bosnian_red]

Thought his second half was the best hes played in weeks. First half was invisible though. But second half he created loads and passed the ball really well, shame the attackers werent at his level.

 

[derace]

what a shit game he literally offered nothing today. maybe he should stop changing his fecking hair every week and dont dance around like a twat. i dispise people like that. hope he gets his head out of his own arse and start to deliver again.

 

[Synco]

Struggling under pressure on the ball at the minute. Not losing the ball, but struggling to create further up the pitch.

That's called 'having no options'. The brilliant through balls he played in the same games show that ability is not the problem. There really needs to be more focus on team aspects when judging individual players' performances.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I hate this thread.

I hate that I agree with all the comments about him being a young player, getting used to a new league who has already shown enormous potential.

I also hate the fact there's just no plausible justification for spending so much money on a player who has so often failed to make the difference when needed most.

I hate that he is nowhere near the level of consistent quality produced by every single 50m+ player who who would have ever been considered a good signing. That's elite company and he fares terribly in comparison.

I hate the nagging doubt that this is Angel Di Maria all over again. A galactico signed for the sake of proving that Woodward has big, swinging balls.

Most of all, I hate myself for lacking the patience I would always ask for any new signing so early in his United career. It's maddeningly inconsistent of me.

But yeah, feck this thread. I hate it.

 

[Womp]

Mate he's 23, not 18. When will he finish learning?

Never, he's still a kid, Christ you lot. A player is always learning, especially in a position like CM which is all about positioning, experience and understanding. What midfielders at his age are consistently dominating a league as intense as the Premier League?

We as a team are shite, Pogba being good isn't going to improve the absolute shower of shite that is our finishing. People can blame the fact that we didn't create enough, fair enough, but no-one should expect to play Hull when at home and have an open, flowing game. Hull did everything they could to ruin the game, those few chances Pogba created needed to be buried. Granted he missed a huge chance, but so did Mata, Ibra, Rashford.

Just because he cost a lot doesn't instantly give him knowledge beyond his years and the ability to sink everything he touches.

 

[Livewire1974]

Mate he's 23, not 18. When will he finish learning?

A year older than Roy Keane when he joined us.

 

[Rado_N]

what a shit game he literally offered nothing today. maybe he should stop changing his fecking hair every week and dont dance around like a twat. i dispise people like that. hope he gets his head out of his own arse and start to deliver again.

Apart from the three times he put strikers into almost 1v1 situations, yea. The rest of your post is also bollocks, not to mention riddled with horrendous spelling.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

He created one great and one good chance from deep today. If Rashford took a moment before shooting it would have been a vital assist.

Pretty bad in the first half, but second half much better. You don't sub a player like him, he can win the game for you at any moment.

 

[Art Vandelay]

He needs to start getting dropped or subbed when he's playing shit. It's not rocket science, the squad management isn't getting the best out of the squad.

 

[Hugh Jass]

He created one great and one good chance from deep today. If Rashford took a moment before shooting it would have been a vital assist.

Pretty bad in the first half, but second half much better. You don't sub a player like him, he can win the game for you at any moment.

I concur. I think he is not suited to the ten.

 

[LouisDanGaal]

The reason he is playing badly has nothing to do with a haircut or emoji

 

[Rado_N]

I hate this thread.

I hate that I agree with all the comments about him being a young player, getting used to a new league who has already shown enormous potential.

I also hate the fact there's just no plausible justification for spending so much money on a player who has so often failed to make the difference when needed most.

Longevity, potential and like it or not marketability.

There's three.

I hate that he is nowhere near the level of consistent quality produced by every single 50m+ player who who would have ever been considered a good signing. That's elite company and he fares terribly in comparison.

Consistency will come, most likely after he's had a proper summer break and a decent pre-season prep.

I hate the nagging doubt that this is Angel Di Maria all over again. A galactico signed for the sake of proving that Woodward has big, swinging balls.

No chance, Pogba wants to be here and wants to show himself for what he's capable of. Couldn't be more different to ADM.

Most of all, I hate myself for lacking the patience I would always ask for any new signing so early in his United career. It's maddeningly inconsistent of me.

Can't help you with that bit

 

[Bepi]

Mates, listen to this Juve fan, his is not inconsistency but the way he is just now. He was not so full of sh*t when he landed in Turin though but a family boy with mum & bros. He was allowed to grow in a golden kindergarten while offering the occasional flash of brilliance within a very organised unit. Last two years he was growing as a force but Raiola destroyed the player and created a diva. You just can't put up with their sh*t anymore imho. Good luck.

 

[MichaelRed]

No limit, but this shite can't go on.

He's running out time, of which you have given him a limitless supply. Makes sense.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

He was good in the 2nd half.

 

[NinjaFletch]

There are an enormous amount of variables that go into deciding on a transfer fee, the most important of which being what it takes to convince the selling club to part with their prize asset.

People get far too caught up in the mythical concept of "a £90m player" and other such nonsense. It's stupid and has no basis in reality.

We broke the transfer record to sign a central defender for £30m and everyone thought it was madness, 10+ years later and not a single sole talks about what Rio cost. Pogba is a young lad with all the potential in the world and is already incredibly talented, focusing on the transfer fee is short sighted and completely missing the point.

That's without even touching the enormous marketability which you apparently want to ignore but brings in millions upon millions every year.

Leave the financials to the pros.



He's not miles away from the finished article at all that's just kneejerkism in the extreme. He's also played brilliantly in more than one position.

He's playing like a lad who's played too many minutes in the last 24 months and needs a bit of a break. That's all.



Jose talks up his players, no surprise there.

Of course I want to ignore it. It's an utter irrelevancy right now. If Pogba fails to produce on the pitch his 'brand' becomes worthless. It's only as good as he is; Lingard does almost identical things to Pogba off the pitch but is derided as 'cringe' because people don't rate him. If Pogba was signed for primarily non-footballing reasons, and his marketability is anything more than a nice bonus, then we're in way worse trouble than I thought.

And no ones arguing that Juventus didn't need convincing to sell and their reluctance drove the price up. Just that the 'variables' at play made Pogba a much more expensive player than his current ability is worth.

You can dismiss Pogba's performances for whatever reason you wish, and you may be right to do so, I'm not certainly not saying he's a write off or can't turn it round, but to argue he's had anything like the expected impact so far is patently wrong, and yes, the money spent does factor into that.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Longevity, potential and like it or not marketability.

There's three.



Consistency will come, most likely after he's had a proper summer break and a decent pre-season prep.



No chance, Pogba wants to be here and wants to show himself for what he's capable of. Couldn't be more different to ADM.



Can't help you with that bit

There's a lot of sense in there and I really hope you're right but jesus christ, if any of our rivals had out-bid us last summer, the stick we'd be giving them right now based on what we've seen so far would be fecking merciless

 

[Raw]

I hate this thread.

I hate that I agree with all the comments about him being a young player, getting used to a new league who has already shown enormous potential.

I also hate the fact there's just no plausible justification for spending so much money on a player who has so often failed to make the difference when needed most.

I hate that he is nowhere near the level of consistent quality produced by every single 50m+ player who who would have ever been considered a good signing. That's elite company and he fares terribly in comparison.

I hate the nagging doubt that this is Angel Di Maria all over again. A galactico signed for the sake of proving that Woodward has big, swinging balls.

Most of all, I hate myself for lacking the patience I would always ask for any new signing so early in his United career. It's maddeningly inconsistent of me.

But yeah, feck this thread. I hate it.

I feel the exact same way.

 

[Wade3]

I'm not too concerned if he has a bad stretch of games. I am, however, concerned if he still doesn't get dropped. I know when on-form, he's very impactful, just like Ibra. But both have had enough average to poor games to warrant giving others a chance.

 

[Cassidy]

I'm not too concerned if he has a bad stretch of games. I am, however, concerned if he still doesn't get dropped. I know when on-form, he's very impactful, just like Ibra. But both have had enough average to poor games to warrant giving others a chance.

Tbh what others in midfield?

 

[Rado_N]

Of course I want to ignore it. It's an utter irrelevancy right now. If Pogba fails to produce on the pitch his 'brand' becomes worthless. It's only as good as he is; Lingard does almost identical things to Pogba off the pitch but is derided as 'cringe' because people don't rate him. If Pogba was signed for primarily non-footballing reasons, and his marketability is anything more than a nice bonus, then we're in way worse trouble than I thought.

You don't get to decide it's irrelevant just because you don't like it. Marketability plays a big role in transfer fees and player remuneration these days whether you want to accept that or not. It's a factor in the fee. Deal with it.

That's not to say it's the 'primary' reason, of course it isn't, longevity and bargaining power are other factors. You pay what you have to in order to get what you want, up to a limit.

For what it's worth the bitching about Lingard and social media is equally fecking dumb.

And no ones arguing that Juventus didn't need convincing to sell and their reluctance drove the price up. Just that the 'variables' at play made Pogba a much more expensive player than his current ability is worth.

Again you're missing the point and trying to pin a price on something using only one metric of many and to make matters worse using a ludicrously small sample to do so.

You can dismiss Pogba's performances for whatever reason you wish, and you may be right to do so, I'm not certainly not saying he's a write off or can't turn it round, but to argue he's had anything like the expected impact so far is patently wrong, and yes, the money spent does factor into that.

I'm not dismissing it, he's in a poor run, but he's had plenty of good games as well and I'm not worried because it's obvious that he's suffering the consequence of a football filled summer and too many minutes this season.

People need to calm down.

 

[Wishe]

And to think we could buy multiple players of Kante caliber for the price of one Pogba.

 

[Z_Wolf]

Why people expect him to score in every game is beyond me. He's a CM and not a forward. If anything, it's our strikers who should be criticized.

And stop with the Modric this, Modric that. How often does Modric assist or score?

 

[Rado_N]

There's a lot of sense in there and I really hope you're right but jesus christ, if any of our rivals had out-bid us last summer, the stick we'd be giving them right now based on what we've seen so far would be fecking merciless

Meh, that's what rival football fans do, we give each other shit and don't care about nuance or general common sense.

I'm not worried, nor should you be.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

To be fair, the Di Maria comparisons are off the mark.

Di Maria started great and just went downhill badly.

Pogba started well, fizzled, was in great form and is now fizzling again. I am confident he won't be a failed signing like Di Maria.