He's still brilliant. Sometimes it's worrying that we still rely on him to get our game going. But in moments like this it's so reassuring. A large part of our comeback was due to his influence. He can just pick the right pass just when we need it.
Paul Scholes | 2012/13 Performances
- Thread starter Maajid
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He didnt finish the game
I think some of the criticism for him was justified then. As an older player, he naturally lacks the mobility he used to have. He wasn't passing well in the Everton game and now, when you take out the passing there's not too much else to his game.
He will receive a lot of praise for today though because his passing was there and it was excellent.
He will receive a lot of praise for today though because his passing was there and it was excellent.
Yes he did
Pretty sure you were saying the exact opposite a week ago.
A week's a long time in football...
God help us if we're going to make sweeping statements on Paul Scholes depending on his performances from week to week.
Playing in acres of space against a bottom five side who were out of steam gives Scholes the freedom to do what he did today and when he has no pressure on the ball or someone pressing him he can still deliver in bursts, but we really need to be getting a player in who can provide it under pressure week in and week out for 90 minutes.
saved our bacon today
Why does it matter how old he is? He was never our fastest player or like Fletcher who runs and chases the ball all over the pitch. He moves the ball effortlessly just like Xavi, but Scholes is a better long passer. We rely on a 37 year old because he is world class, just like Barca relies on Xavi, a 33-34 year old because he is world class. That simple. Scholes would pretty much improve all teams.
Still easily our best CM
worryingly true!
Scholes is awesome.
It's an issue because even if he wasn't a Fletcher-type player, his mobility was a lot better than it is now when he was younger. Obviously it didn't matter today because his passing was spot on, but when his passing isn't spot on and doesn't cause the opposition problems, there's not too much else he offers now.
I wish we could magically make him 25 years old again.
How on earth will he ever be replaced?
He has a gift that so few players have - we struck gold bringing him through the academy but it seems lightening doesn't strike twice (have I mixed metaphors there?)
He has a gift that so few players have - we struck gold bringing him through the academy but it seems lightening doesn't strike twice (have I mixed metaphors there?)
Yeah, he does!! He's actually great at intercepting the ball in front of players and he also hardly gives them time on the ball. He may be outrun over long stretches, but he is difficult as hell in tight corners - all players testify to that! So, can't say that I agree with you. He also had four goals last year in half a year, which isn't bad for a CM!
Besides his excellent passing, he also dictates the tempo, which is quite important.
I don't mean that he literally does nothing else of course, but generally, what he does is quite limited. He can intercept some passes, but it's not his strong suit. One of the weaknesses of our midfield, him included, is that opposition midfielders can sometimes simply drift past us at times. He dictates the tempo because of his passing, but again when his passing is off he won't dictate the tempo. It's not a major slight on him because he's older now, is still a brilliant player when he plays well and I love him, but it's a weakness of his in my opinion. Again though, when he's at the age now to have the passing skills he does is excellent.
Yeah, but as you say, that was never really his strong suit, just like it isn't Xavi's or Iniesta's. Scholes is great, but like all great players he has his weaknesses. Imo, they haven't become all that much more obvious now than they were before; Fergie still picked Butt ahead of him at times in tough physical fixtures. He needs a Carrick beside him to do his dirty work.
Not sure that I agree that only his passing dictates the tempo. His movement to always make himself available and his eye for openings is what dictates the tempo much more so than his jaw dropping long range passing.
I'm just a bit fed up with the argument of having to rely on a 37 year old as that doesn't matter if he is good enough and no one can replace him and make us better. Xavi wouldn't make us better defensively, would he?
His passing's pretty much never off.
What is the theory behind the idea Scholes can't play in games where we're pressed constantly? Surely the fact he's technically our best player makes him most equipped for being pressed?
What is the theory behind the idea Scholes can't play in games where we're pressed constantly? Surely the fact he's technically our best player makes him most equipped for being pressed?
Exactly! The other players say he is impossible in five a side play because he is constantly at you, and he never gives the ball away. Not everyone has to be frickin Usain Bolt - and that is coming from me, who is a massive fanboy of fast players!
On his day still the best and most complete midfielder in the world.
I'm not sure about complete but on his day I wouldn't take anyone over him.
Great little cameo from him. Really took control of the centre when we had to chase the game. At one point I do remember wondering why he was the only player looking like he had any urgency about his movement when we were still 2-1 down. Luckily he took control of the game along with nani and instilled a bit more urgency and control which allowed us to some how steal the game.
He certainly had purpose it was like when he came on against City you just had to give him the ball like a Modric (never be as good at it) and he'd dictate the tempo. You seen the improvement/confidence surge in Rio when Scholes came on you just know he is going to keep the ball.
He should only come off the bench in the last 15-30 mins. And after a game or two rest. You can see his freshness. He even made the forward runs bit more in that game. Will be interesting if we can try this with Giggsy as well.
We know his passing is quality, that goes without saying. But as a few others have said, it was the urgency that he added to our game that was most important. We looked shockingly pedestrian at times.
It was unfortunate for us that Carrick and Cleverley both put in an under par performance on the same day. Understandable though.
It was unfortunate for us that Carrick and Cleverley both put in an under par performance on the same day. Understandable though.
I thought the same thing but I can't see SAF not starting him in the next game. He is still our most effective midfielder at the club.
The question SAF will ask his team this morning will be, would we have conceded those goals had Scholes started and would we have created more chances?
He came on, his first few touches almost set up a goal.It said it all about what we needed yesterday
I think it was the poor performances from Cleverly and Carrick that affected the whole team yesterday. It was clearly affecting Kagawa as he had little service and some very sloppy passes played to him. When Scholes came on we had control of the game and looked threatening.
Actually, Southampton pressed our midfielders and never allowed them time to settle. Our midfield is at it's weakest in those situations. Scholes came on at a time when their players tired, and unable to close down - giving a perfect platform to weave his magic. I would think had Scholes started we would not have been much better.
How many players in the world out their are as good as Scholes at passing and setting a tempo?
I can't think of any. Scholes passing is sublime, and particularly his long range passing is arguably the best in the world. His short passing is also remarkable because he moves the ball, himself and the players around him so effortlessly, thus dictating the tempo and possession.
Brilliant player - so why talk about age if not only to say that it is a shame he is not ten years younger so we could keep him ten years longer.
exactly - i think both Scholsie and Giggs are best used as subs and just occasionally from the start
I can think of two who are currently as good as or better than him (Pirlo and Xavi). They're a rare breed of players though
What an absolute privilige it is to watch this genius footballer so late in his illustrious career.
He is so good at this age it's scary. To have passing at that range and difficulty and still pass at 90% is nearly impossible. He just doesn't miss.
The amount of ground he gains is off the charts. He doesn't have the legs anymore but his defensive game is still damn good. He is everywhere he should all the time it seems. He definately sees the entire pitch so clear.
I'm not the most cultured football historian/follower but how can Scholes not be placed in the tier of greats just beneath Maradona/Pele?
feck international success defining the greats.
He is so good at this age it's scary. To have passing at that range and difficulty and still pass at 90% is nearly impossible. He just doesn't miss.
The amount of ground he gains is off the charts. He doesn't have the legs anymore but his defensive game is still damn good. He is everywhere he should all the time it seems. He definately sees the entire pitch so clear.
I'm not the most cultured football historian/follower but how can Scholes not be placed in the tier of greats just beneath Maradona/Pele?
feck international success defining the greats.
Pirlo at the Euros was like poetry in motion.
Subtlety make yourself available for a pass, recieve it with a strategic first touch to give you that tiny bit of extra space, head up, spot the winger or striker and send a perfect pass everytime. Just like Scholes.
The modern game is based too much on being big, fast, strong and having tricks.
Players like Scholes, Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi and Iniesta just show everyone that it's all about spacial awareness, vision, and touch.
I know its Scholes and that hes the best english midfielder of his generation, but at his age and with Cleverley apparently being our hope for midfield in the years to come it was really scary how much better we became as soon as Scholes came in yesterday.
Cleverley wont ever become as good. Not that we can even expect that, but at the moment the gulf in class is bigger than I like.
Cleverley wont ever become as good. Not that we can even expect that, but at the moment the gulf in class is bigger than I like.
We can't replace Scholes, I don't think there is a young player anywhere near available who could become as good as him.
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