Pretty spot on. Imagine a Carrick in his prime next to him.
But where to find such a player? Weigl imo would be the guy that comes closest to that and he is still young and hasn't extended his contract at Dortmund yet.
6
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 51
- Goals
- 9
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 10
- Status
Pretty spot on. Imagine a Carrick in his prime next to him.
But where to find such a player? Weigl imo would be the guy that comes closest to that and he is still young and hasn't extended his contract at Dortmund yet.
It's not the setup as such - it's how well organised it is. If too many of the small things don't click, even an excellent player can be rendered inefficient in a position that generally suits him. (And inefficient must not even be the same as individually bad; Hazard's Chelsea troubles being a prime example for this.)
So Pogba can't play in a midfield two at all because it's not 'his position'? Certainly not. He can't excel in a midfield two when the team is not properly adjusted personally and tactically as a whole ? Definitely, every player has that problem.
That factor is undervalued in many 'personal culpability' vs. 'best suited position' debates imo.
I still dont know if Mourinho will be able to get the best out of him. Mourinho plays a system where every player has to put a shift in off the ball. Pogba can do it and having to do it for long periods of the game might take a lot out of his game.
Yeah, I suppose I can see that. Maybe I'm being too harsh. Obviously you have to accomodate his strengths and make up for his weaknesses, it is a team sport after all. And I do think United are doing that. Mata for example, does come deeper looking for space, and Pogba definitely pushes up to more attacking areas, Herrera acting as an anchor of sorts.
My point was more in relation to the criticism he has received of late in the French media, and the reaction that a lot of United fans have had to it. I get that with Griezmann playing off a striker, Pogba will have to adjust a bit and play a more disciplined midfield role, but you cannot exonerate him completely for his underwhelming performances for the national team, especially at the Euros. He has the skillset to contribute more in that role, and he has to shoulder some responsibility. It is not all Deschamps' fault, or indeed Mourinho's.
Honestly, I think the problem is just that he didn't really have a pre-season, and came straight into the team. Give him time, and he'll be back to his roaring best, and showing us all of us were so excited about his signing.
I fundamentally disagree with that, Pogba isn't consistent in the final third, he isn't as consistent as Kaka was for example, he isn't a playmaking artist like Riquelme was. So Pogba needs to provide more in other areas and he happens to be pretty good at harassing the ball career, when he puts his mind to it he is a destroying presence in midfield.
That's why in my opinion he has to use Vieira as model, Pogba's toolbox is made for that type of hybrid midfielders.
PS: I used Kaka and Riquelme as examples because they have both been allowed to not defend by Ancelotti and Pellegrini.
He did pretty well with Lampard.
It's the hairstyle. And I think one's Belgian. Other than that, no difference.
Pogba's not Lampard
Of course he's not but Lampard was allowed to play as an 8.5 under Mourinho. While they have different strengths, a similar role and privileges gets the best out of them.
Except those teams were literally built around those two players
Pirlo, Gattuso and Seedorf behind Kaka and Senna/Sorin behind Riquelme (with Forlan in front).
I know what you mean about Pogba's wide skill set but I think he's an attack/creative player first. You're always going to get an attack minded player with possibly great defensive effort rather than a tempo-setting/game reader/tactically disciplined player first. I'm not saying he shouldn't improve that side of his game but you'll be reigning his most potent skillset and that's taking the game to the opponent. It's the same with Herrera, he can do a job because as an attacking/pro-active team we can 'get' away in certain games with playing a go-getter like him in the deepest position but playing him AND Pogba AND Mata/Miki in front of them? You're asking too much and possibly expecting too much. It's 'easier' and more natural to just play to their strengths; it can be as complicated or simple as you want.
That's not to say there's not certain aspects they should improve on. I.e With the manager's backing and some confidence, Herrera has found a new 'role' in his locker and whilst it's not natural it can only help improve his weaknesses, namely being postionally aware and seeing the game on a wider level.
Gianluigi Buffon comes to Paul Pogba’s defence
Juventus and Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon came to the defence of French central midfielder Paul Pogba today whilst speaking to our colleagues at RMC.
“Why is Pogba having a difficult season? Because the seasons are long, they go on for 10 or 11 months and we are just in the second month. Very often I smile because from the month of September people tell me Pogba is not doing things well or Pogba is not good. He still has 8 months until the end of the season, it is at the end that you should make a judgement. It is like horses, it is only at the end that we see who wins and not at the beginning.”
Juventus and Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon came to the defence of French central midfielder Paul Pogba today whilst speaking to our colleagues at RMC.
“Why is Pogba having a difficult season? Because the seasons are long, they go on for 10 or 11 months and we are just in the second month. Very often I smile because from the month of September people tell me Pogba is not doing things well or Pogba is not good. He still has 8 months until the end of the season, it is at the end that you should make a judgement. It is like horses, it is only at the end that we see who wins and not at the beginning.”
Paul Pogba has admitted he'd prefer to play further forward at Manchester United following an indifferent start to his second spell at Old Trafford.
The France playmaker sealed a return to the Premier League giants in a world-record transfer this summer but has only shown glimpses of his undoubted talent.
His manager, Jose Mourinho, has opted to play the former Juventus star in various midfield positions including a deeper role.
But after playing in a more advanced role for France against Holland, and capping off his performance with a stunner winner, Pogba has suggested he'd prefer playing further up the pitch for his club.
'I try to adapt,' the France playmaker was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
'I am a player who would rather go forward. The coach gave me instructions, I try to follow them.
'I have to retrieve balls and make defensive efforts. It cost me a bit to play differently, much like Pirlo.
'I have to play, be there to recover and play more for the team.'
After helping France secure World Cup qualifying victories over the Dutch and Bulgaria, Pogba will now return to Manchester ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
The France playmaker sealed a return to the Premier League giants in a world-record transfer this summer but has only shown glimpses of his undoubted talent.
His manager, Jose Mourinho, has opted to play the former Juventus star in various midfield positions including a deeper role.
But after playing in a more advanced role for France against Holland, and capping off his performance with a stunner winner, Pogba has suggested he'd prefer playing further up the pitch for his club.
'I try to adapt,' the France playmaker was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
'I am a player who would rather go forward. The coach gave me instructions, I try to follow them.
'I have to retrieve balls and make defensive efforts. It cost me a bit to play differently, much like Pirlo.
'I have to play, be there to recover and play more for the team.'
After helping France secure World Cup qualifying victories over the Dutch and Bulgaria, Pogba will now return to Manchester ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
He doesn't need a 3-man midfield, he just needs a holder for a midfield partner. It's that simple. Examples of holders do not include the following: Fellaini, Sissoko, Matuidi, Kante, Schneiderlin, Herrera (who has done well recently but I'm not convinced by his long-term ability to play the role for various reasons).
Wise words from the great man. Be patient people.
I honestly dont understand why Deschamps wants to force him into being a DM for France. Deschamps played with Zidane for god sake, Pogba is closer to Zidane than he is to Didier.
Above is how France lined up in the 1998 world cup. Its a pretty defensive lineup but it gave Zidane licence to pretty much do whatever he wants. Now imagine if Deschamps played the same system with the following changes in midfield;
Kante for Deschamps
Matuidi for Petit
Sissoko for Karembeu
Pogba for Zidane
Griezmann for Djorkaeff
Would this not give them a better balance and place every player in comfortable positions?
Above is how France lined up in the 1998 world cup. Its a pretty defensive lineup but it gave Zidane licence to pretty much do whatever he wants. Now imagine if Deschamps played the same system with the following changes in midfield;
Kante for Deschamps
Matuidi for Petit
Sissoko for Karembeu
Pogba for Zidane
Griezmann for Djorkaeff
Would this not give them a better balance and place every player in comfortable positions?
Because Pogba isn't Zidane, Sissoko isn't Karembeu and Matuidi isn't Petit ? They're all different players.I honestly dont understand why Deschamps wants to force him into being a DM for France. Deschamps played with Zidane for god sake, Pogba is closer to Zidane than he is to Didier.
Above is how France lined up in the 1998 world cup. Its a pretty defensive lineup but it gave Zidane licence to pretty much do whatever he wants. Now imagine if Deschamps played the same system with the following changes in midfield;
Kante for Deschamps
Matuidi for Petit
Sissoko for Karembeu
Pogba for Zidane
Griezmann for Djorkaeff
Would this not give them a better balance and place every player in comfortable positions?
Just a gut feeling, but I believe tonight will be the night he announces himself to the Premier League, in a footballing sense.
So frustrating seeing him in this holding type role.
He needs Herrera on the pitch as well and to be SET FREE.
If he is set free he can cause HAVOC to opposition defenders
He needs Herrera on the pitch as well and to be SET FREE.
If he is set free he can cause HAVOC to opposition defenders
Cool ad
Quality ad
Feck ads, prove it on the pitch. (I'm sure he will btw).
My team for tonight (4-3-3)
--------------------DDG-------------
Valencia--Smalling----Bailly-----Shaw
-------------------Fellaini-------------
-------Schneiderlin------Pogba---------
Rashford----------------------------Martial
-------------------Ibra-----------------------
--------------------DDG-------------
Valencia--Smalling----Bailly-----Shaw
-------------------Fellaini-------------
-------Schneiderlin------Pogba---------
Rashford----------------------------Martial
-------------------Ibra-----------------------
He has been very good 7.5 so far imo.
He'd be stupid not trying to do anything with the hype. But I agree with you; let's see that ad on the pitch, please!..
I think he has been good, added that extra quality our midfield has lacked for years. When he gets to his best, he'll be a star for us, I just hope we can get to expect more from players like Zlatan, Miki, Martial, Shaw, Bailly, that's when we'll start playing some lovely stuff I think.
People 7 games in, 7 fecking games in which by the way have produced 2 MOTM performances. How about a bit of patience.
Mourinho, Pogba and the likes aren't afforded any bit of patience from fans(some) and media alike. It's a bit tragic now.
Mourinho, Pogba and the likes aren't afforded any bit of patience from fans(some) and media alike. It's a bit tragic now.
What is the reason behind dropping Blind and Herrera, our arguably best performers in the last games, and for Fellaini/Schneiderlin
of all people (can understand the inclusion of Shaw, even though it maybe premature to start him today)I was having a nonsense debate with an Arsenal mate of mine, who said Xhaka would have a better season than Pogba. I don't even need to explain how dumb that is. He asked me was Pogba a disappointment and I don't think he is yet at all. What I was saying though, for 90m, you expect him to turn up in the big games and him shrivelling in the City game didn't do him any favours. He's spanked the cross bar from distance at least 3 times, if one of them had gone in, it would be a different story and confidence would flow from that. The caveat is, if he doesn't turn up tonight on arguably our biggest league game of a season, I will be disappointed.
And because that team was terrible with the ball, it was a great defensive unit.
Pogba hasn't even been 1 bit disappointing yet, apart from arguably City/Feyenoord where in the 2nd half he gassed a bit.
Every other game though he could have had a goal /assist, that's something our midfield hasn't had for YEARS. Not since Scholes was in his pomp arguably.
I just think people hear about Pogba, watch is highlight reels, and expect him to smash 30 yarders in and dribble their whole midfield every match. So unrealistic
Every other game though he could have had a goal /assist, that's something our midfield hasn't had for YEARS. Not since Scholes was in his pomp arguably.
I just think people hear about Pogba, watch is highlight reels, and expect him to smash 30 yarders in and dribble their whole midfield every match. So unrealistic
He didn't say Xhaka is a better player did he? He said Xhaka would have a better season, it's not a ludicrous call, especially considering the standards are much higher for Pogba
He back tracked a bit to that, but the original claim was he'd score more and get more assists than Pogba; which was kinda implicit of that without saying it. He was saying pogba has been "w*nk" and Xhaka has scored two great goals and when he has played, been better.
What is the reason behind dropping Blind and Herrera, our arguably best performers in the last games, and for Fellaini/Schneiderlin
More steel in midfield. We're playing against Liverpool at Anfield. It won't be an easy ride
Yep that's the dilemma Pogba is facing. He's being judged to far higher standard than anyone right now.Pogba hasn't even been 1 bit disappointing yet, apart from arguably City/Feyenoord where in the 2nd half he gassed a bit.
Every other game though he could have had a goal /assist, that's something our midfield hasn't had for YEARS. Not since Scholes was in his pomp arguably.
I just think people hear about Pogba, watch is highlight reels, and expect him to smash 30 yarders in and dribble their whole midfield every match. So unrealistic
That's a strange bet considering that he is a much more defensive player, although with a great shot on him.
Ander has had excellent games against Liverpool almost every time we've played them in the league.
Believe me, he's an atypical worst case scenario arsenal fan. Watches a few games, but because he supports Arsenal, his football knowledge is far superior as everyone knows Arsenal plays the best football.
Hope he scores a 30 yards + screamer today !
It won't be a tragedy if we play Herrera instead of Schneiderlin. I only gave my view of why I would play the latter ahead of the former.
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