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Paul Pogba France flag

2017-18 Performances

View full 2017-18 profile

6.1 Season Average Rating
Appearances
37
Goals
6
Assists
16
Yellow cards
5
Red cards
1
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Showing a lot of maturity in a midfield pivot tonight, hope he puts in those shifts for us and we can attempt a midfield two at times.

We have no Kante, mind.
 
France are always gonna get better as the tournament goes on. No one was special the first game, very unfair to pick on Pogba.

Think they'll still win it outright.
 
Pogba always seems to impress me more in a two man midfield, rather than a three.

His best games, which were at the start of the season, were in a 4231. Today for France, they're playing a 442 and he's been a lot better than he was in the first game.

The signing of Fred looks as though we'll be playing him in a three next season, and I personally feel Fred will really benefit him, but against teams we dominate, I'd still like to see him in a two man midfield, especially next to a dynamic midfielder.
 
I wrote this in the World Cup matchday thread, but it's worth repeating in terms of how Pogba is perceived elsewhere: Watching on TSN in Canada, and the pundits were spouting the usual "Pogba has to step up and take control," etc., so I was curious how they'd see that first half. Soon as they went to the studio after the half-time whistle, the first thing they did was shower plenty of praise on Pogba, picking out his lofted pass to Mbappe and his part in the goal. So not all the media pundits are being harsh on him. He's winning people over.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
Pogba always seems to impress me more in a two man midfield, rather than a three.

His best games, which were at the start of the season, were in a 4231. Today for France, they're playing a 442 and he's been a lot better than he was in the first game.

The signing of Fred looks as though we'll be playing him in a three next season, and I personally feel Fred will really benefit him, but against teams we dominate, I'd still like to see him in a two man midfield, especially next to a dynamic midfielder.
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You're looking too deep in to it. Pogba has played well in all formations and in a two or three man midfield. Equally he's played shite in all formations and in a two or three man midfield.

Buying Matic was supposed to give him freedom to play. Moving to a three man midfield with Herrera in it was supposed to give him freedom to play. Now signing Fred is once again going to give him freedom to play.

When it comes down to it it's all bollocks. He's just an incredibly inconsistent player. Only he knows why that is.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
Pogba always seems to impress me more in a two man midfield, rather than a three.

His best games, which were at the start of the season, were in a 4231. Today for France, they're playing a 442 and he's been a lot better than he was in the first game.

The signing of Fred looks as though we'll be playing him in a three next season, and I personally feel Fred will really benefit him, but against teams we dominate, I'd still like to see him in a two man midfield, especially next to a dynamic midfielder.
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This isn't really a usual two man midfield considering Matuidi's on the LW. It's probably closer to a midfield 3.
 
SwansonsTache said:
Showing a lot of maturity in a midfield pivot tonight, hope he puts in those shifts for us and we can attempt a midfield two at times.

We have no Kante, mind.
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We have Fred and Herrera, he'll be fine.
 
Feel a lot of the harshest critics genuinely think he's either a dribbler that's supposed to be breaking down defences or the type to be dictating entire games. He isn't. Temper the expectations and you're still left with an amazing player who makes game winning contributions without doing any of those things
 
Has a great half. Just to point out the difference in tactic from last game. Mbappe is playing a pseudo winger and wide forward role. He is allowed to be less involved in defensive phase than a winger should, but is the main outlet/width from the right side when France attacking. No complicated position swapping like the first game. Matuidi is the width outlet on the left while a bit narrow in defensive phase to help the midfield. This is to ease the fullback woe as we saw with the game vs Australia. I bring up this point now as it's closely relating to what I pointed out the issue with France last game where people were off the mark pointing finger at Pogba when Deschamps this game actively addressed those tactical problem while maintain his trust on Pogba.

France midfield in build up tries not to rely on the full back as much which is significant change. Tolisso problem last game even when he made a good (looking, idea) pass toward the full backs, is that it's tactical dead end for France which played to Australia hand; and Tolisso passed to fullbacks plenty. And Tolisso is rightly dropped for this game. Then Giroud is used this game for his presence/ occupying defenders allowing Griezmann and Mbappe with less markers to shake off. Kante is given a more free role to make use of his best quality: running, winning the ball; and surprisingly Pogba is playing a more withdrawn role and most of the time playing midfield 2 (!!!) especially in France attacking phase.

While Pogba is having the great game, I still believe he can have another gear on a better day. Just try to point out tactic can play a huge difference. People were too eager to point finger at Pogba in the first game when Deschamps was the main culprit which leads to the team not functioning. Deschamps needed one of the star players to bail them out. Pogba bailed France out yet still got IMO unfair criticism

Of course opposition quality (defensive quality) should be considered. Australia was a better organised team defensively. They are well drilled in passing and their tactic was spot on (Deschamps messed up). They just lack cutting edge to make something out of it.
 
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AndyJ1985 said:
You're looking too deep in to it. Pogba has played well in all formations and in a two or three man midfield. Equally he's played shite in all formations and in a two or three man midfield.

Buying Matic was supposed to give him freedom to play. Moving to a three man midfield with Herrera in it was supposed to give him freedom to play. Now signing Fred is once again going to give him freedom to play.

When it comes down to it it's all bollocks. He's just an incredibly inconsistent player. Only he knows why that is.
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I agree - he also had his best performances for us in a 3 man midfield season before last with Herrera and Carrick.
 
I can't remember a game recently where Paul was as industrious as he has been today. Excellent performance, and I hope it's a sign of things to come.
 
So he's been good. Just arrived in to RTE commentators saying he'll undoubtedly be criticised for his performance. Is he doomed to get slaughtered in any game he doesn't score in? Can people even tell the difference between good and bad performances?
 
Irrational. said:
I can't remember a game recently where Paul was as industrious as he has been today. Excellent performance, and I hope it's a sign of things to come.
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Yes, when he plays with this consistent effort and focus he is a far better player. Most of what his critics, me included, want from him would be there if this was his usual attitude, but so far in his Utd career he has had far too many days when he has come out complacent, low effort, lack of focus, strolling. Might still get a goal/assist because of his exceptional level of talent but his overall level is much less than it should be.

Mature, work hard, and few will have any issues with him.
 
will be more consistent for us in a midfield 2 playing in front of a back 3; especially if we play a CDM in the centre of defence.
 
He still gets unfairly criticised (most of the time) because of the price tag. As a central midfielder he does what he needs to do most times. Pundits/critics expect at least a goal/assist every game
 
Can't be a mere coincidence Pogba plays for two teams that are boring as fcuk.

Take that.
 
His inadequacies also look better playing next to a mobile workhorse like Kante.
 
luke511 said:
Both sides lack a proper playmaker in midfield that's why.
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I'm only joking obviously.

But both France and United are teams that play dreadful football (relatively) for the amount of talent in their squads.
 
Minimalist said:
I'm only joking obviously.

But both France and United are teams that play dreadful football (relatively) for the amount of talent in their squads.
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I keep saying this as well. Deschamps' France is just like United.
So dreadful at time. I feel for their fans.
 
Greck said:
I'm sure he's the one making the other stars play like shite
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I don't think he and Griezeman can play together based on their showings for France at the last 2 tournaments. Utd will probably try to buy him given that.
 
Bobski said:
I don't think he and Griezeman can play together based on their showings for France at the last 2 tournaments. Utd will probably try to buy him given that.
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Don't know about that but France's chemistry problem goes beyond any two players. Poor systems really can make good players look bad. No one would ever have guessed any of Mbappe, Griezman, Dembele were highly rated going off this WC alone
 
Felt he was very good in the first half and the whole team sat back in the second. Can't see any reason for criticism towards him in particular.
 
shabadu84 said:
Not wrong, but that's probably true of 90% of big name players so far in the tournament
Edit: damn you
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The next lot under Messi and Ronaldo are collectively the most overrated generation of supposed elite players in my lifetime(38).

Modern football is a bit rubbish under the hype.
 
Bobski said:
The next lot under Messi and Ronaldo are collectively the most overrated generation of supposed elite players in my lifetime(38).

Modern football is a bit rubbish under the hype.
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I just think it's the hype that's overboard and not the players being crap. Ronaldo and Messi are generational talents and I don't really expect to see someone as good as either of them again before I'm an old man. The generation below them is full of good and some great players but none who are going to be in the GOAT conversation, at least at this point. Ronaldo and Messi were already lighting up the world when they were Pogba and Griezmann's age, for example.

The media just needs to tone down the hype and let kids play and develop, and realize that we aren't going to have generational superstars with every wave of kids that come through.
 
SwansonsTache said:
Showing a lot of maturity in a midfield pivot tonight, hope he puts in those shifts for us and we can attempt a midfield two at times.

We have no Kante, mind.
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We really need one. A pure defensive player who will run teams into the ground. Someone like Casemiro or Kante.
 
There was a ten minute spell near the end of the first half where France took control and he created 2 quick chances in successions one for Mbappe and then the interception and pass for Giroud which led to the goal. It was also Frances best moments of the game. The same in the 1st game. Pogba is the only creator in the team and has been involved in all 3 goals so far. If he doesn't play France don't score so he's doing good so far.
 
Adisa said:
We really need one. A pure defensive player who will run teams into the ground. Someone like Casemiro or Kante.
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Never watched Fred but hoping he can up the workrate in our midfield. Matic isn't really a great complement with Pogba in that aspect.
 
AndyJ1985 said:
You're looking too deep in to it. Pogba has played well in all formations and in a two or three man midfield. Equally he's played shite in all formations and in a two or three man midfield.

Buying Matic was supposed to give him freedom to play. Moving to a three man midfield with Herrera in it was supposed to give him freedom to play. Now signing Fred is once again going to give him freedom to play.

When it comes down to it it's all bollocks. He's just an incredibly inconsistent player. Only he knows why that is.
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Nail on head.
 
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