Let's wait and see how he progresses. He has played a couple of games and there are predictions about when he will make first team.
Lots of factors involved and he has just arrived.
Lots of factors involved and he has just arrived.
Timothy Fosu Mensah
- Thread starter KM
- Start date
Have to admit he impressed me today. Looked very calm and composed and weighed his passes neatly.
Impressive indeed.Though I think people went a bit overboard since with him being a new signing from Ajax and all that.
I agree. And looked very strong, a driving force from midfield.
Too good for U18, should be playing for U21 soon.
Can't upload the vid, 99corrigan1 has made another awesome vid of Timothy's highlights, so composed, some great tackles and actually offers a lot offensively, great to see.
Fingers crossed for this lad, He has the talent to be in the first team with 24 months.
Disclaimer: I didn't watch the game, so this is entirely based on that highlights video - if it's not a good representation of his performance, fair enough.
To me, it looks like that actually wasn't a great game from him, certainly not up to the high standards he's set so far. I'm guessing he was used as a midfielder not a CB, and for me that would confirm my opinion that just because he's very comfortable on the ball, CB is still his best position, not any sort of midfield role. There's a lot of uncharacteristically rash challenges in there, and significantly more fouls than successful tackles. He doesn't look comfortable so high up the pitch all the time, and while his pace is impressive when striding out from defence, it comes a little short when he makes attacking runs and tries to take on the opposition's back-line - he seemed to run down a lot of blind alleys. The assist was beautiful, but other than that he didn't (in the video) manage to do the right thing when receiving the ball in attacking positions very often.
Again, I didn't actually watch the game, so the above could all be rubbish based on a dodgy video or a lack of context (maybe the whole game was a bit scrappy, or TFM's willingness to get scrappy was crucial to our win?)
To me, it looks like that actually wasn't a great game from him, certainly not up to the high standards he's set so far. I'm guessing he was used as a midfielder not a CB, and for me that would confirm my opinion that just because he's very comfortable on the ball, CB is still his best position, not any sort of midfield role. There's a lot of uncharacteristically rash challenges in there, and significantly more fouls than successful tackles. He doesn't look comfortable so high up the pitch all the time, and while his pace is impressive when striding out from defence, it comes a little short when he makes attacking runs and tries to take on the opposition's back-line - he seemed to run down a lot of blind alleys. The assist was beautiful, but other than that he didn't (in the video) manage to do the right thing when receiving the ball in attacking positions very often.
Again, I didn't actually watch the game, so the above could all be rubbish based on a dodgy video or a lack of context (maybe the whole game was a bit scrappy, or TFM's willingness to get scrappy was crucial to our win?)
The whole game looks a bit scrappy.Our defence was a bit messy on the first half especially when it comes to bring the ball out of the back due to City's pressure and the wind.
When Kehinde,Thompson and Doughty are available I think we'll move one defender to the U21s and get him down to CB.Scott is doing well in midfield as well.MoTM vs City for me.
I was asked on twitter how he played and said it wasn't his best game for us which it blatantly wasn't even though he still did well and then got a load of abuse from people who hadn't even seen the game but were basically telling me I was an idiot because other people had said how well he had played. I think he can be a great player and the fact that he can affect a game so much even when he's not having his best game shows how talented he is but people need to calm down a but with the hype and calling him the new Pogba and let him actually develop at his own pace. He hasn't even made the step up to the under 21s and yet people are calling for him to be moved to the seniors and yet the same people aren't willing to let the young players like Wilson have any time to get used to first team football and slate them after a quiet performance.
To be honest if he carries on the way he has I don't think it will be long before he's in the first team!
The Caf gonna Caf, bro. Inverse proportionality between overreactions and knowledge is a universal fact.
Haha true
I think you're being pretty kind here. That was horrible. I've liked what I've seen of him so far but performances like that are a good example why people on here need to calm down. Half the cafe seems to think he'll be in the first team next season. It's nothing short of madness.
You've got a bit of a talent for exaggeration. I saw the game and his performance certainly wasn't horrible; and nobody, let alone half the Cafe, has said he'll definitely be in the first team at the age of 18.
The City game was very scrappy, not helped by a poor playing surface, and nobody looked at their best. TFM played further forward than in previous outings, found it difficult to get into the game, but put in a decent performance. Some allowance has to be made for a player being deliberately played out of position to test his limits.
Ok cool, that tallies with the impression I got. Agree that people seem to have got very ahead of themselves with him. An excellent start to his time with us in general, but he's not ready to be instantly chucked into the U21s yet, let alone the first team.
Well, I was being cautious more than anything. People are definitely getting very carried away with him, well beyond what an admittedly very strong start with us (this game aside) merits. Horrible might be a slightly harsh way of looking at it, even the very best young players have dodgy games like that at this level. And as I said, in my opinion he was being played well out of position anyway.
It is odd to see this sudden hype on the same forum which decided after Pearson missed a few U21 games that he was never going to make it with us and was just another Tunnicliffe anyway, and which seems to feel that Wilson's handful of substitute appearances has been more than enough time for him to become a prolific first-team goalscorer and that we should give up.
Did you see the other thread? There are posts saying he should just entirely skip u21 level and go straight to the first team and someone else saying they see him making 15 appearance for the first team next season. There are definitely a fair few who have said he'll be with the first team by 18 and even before.
He looks every bit a centre half to me.
Timmah!!
The question I pose to those who watch the youth teams regularly - do players ever jump straight to the first team in the way that some are suggesting Mensah does?
I ask because we see players like Januzaj and Sterling who are able to make the first team for their respective clubs whilst still teenagers, and plenty of others in the past have done the same.
IF Mensah is looking as good as some are saying (and I dont know if he is - I havent watched) then could throwing him into the first team not be a potentially rewarding strategy?
I ask because we see players like Januzaj and Sterling who are able to make the first team for their respective clubs whilst still teenagers, and plenty of others in the past have done the same.
IF Mensah is looking as good as some are saying (and I dont know if he is - I havent watched) then could throwing him into the first team not be a potentially rewarding strategy?
Both played for the U21s first. Difference between going from U21s to first team and going from U18s, skipping U21s and going straight into first team.
Fair enough, I wouldnt have expected there to be a huge gap between the U18s and U21s.
U21s is a much more physical and tactical-oriented league than the U18s (especially with some senior players dropped down from times to times).
Not huge, but big. The game becomes genuinely tactical for the first time, and the flair players will find they can't win games just by being individually brilliant any more. And the majority of players will now be physically well-developed, whereas at U18 level the big boys are in the minority (especially at the better clubs like United where so many players are playing ahead of their age group.)
You definitely can't just skip it anymore no matter how good you are. Not at a big club.
First six months in the club and already got his priorities right. A fine start.
Also a new video of him, quite short, some posters said he didnt really get involved so that explains it I guess, again you can see that he's an excellent ball winner, his pace is a huge asset in that aspect, looked a bit clumsy in his passing. I'm thinking the club wants to exploit his ability on the ball, he could eventually be transformed in a box to box, his best role at the moment looks CDM imo.
I saw him few times trying to find space for a shot or last pass. He definitely got what it takes to become box-to-box... and literal years of time to learn everything about work in midfield.
From what I've seen I'd like to see him become a sitter. Him, behind Pogba and whoever 
How talented is this kid? Heard some good stuff about him in recent weeks/months.
On a scale of Dong to ten, the forecast is unclear. We are just hoping it isn't Bebe.
Very very talented. More of a defender or defensive midfielder. Extremely comfortable on the ball, lightening quick and very strong. Still early days though. But certainly has a chance.
He had a couple of very impressive outings early on, but he's been a little quieter recently.
His strength and pace alone make him formidable. Once he closes down an opposition player, the guy can kiss the ball goodbye. When his very good technical ability is factored in....
His strength and pace alone make him formidable. Once he closes down an opposition player, the guy can kiss the ball goodbye. When his very good technical ability is factored in....
He's already box to box
He certainly looks an excellent player. He can tackle, dribble, pass, create chances and dictate play. He is very strong on the ball and as such is clearly an impact player.
As he has only been used so far in midfield, I find it almost impossible to judge his ability as a central defender.
Clearly most people on here have watched him live as a centre-half on numerous occasions and thus are better equipped to give an opinion on him in that role. I believe he played both centre-half and central defence when with Ajax so can play both roles.
In terms of his future…he has played nine games since making his debut v Everton in November and done really well. I would expect him to get elevated into the U/21's at some point because that what happens with most kids. No player in the history of our club has gone from the youth team direct into the first team. That includes Duncan Edwards, George Best, Norman Whiteside, Ryan Giggs and others.
I have yet to see see anything in Mensah to say he is that sort of class.
Just enjoy the lad play, watch his progress and if he is good enough he will make it.
As he has only been used so far in midfield, I find it almost impossible to judge his ability as a central defender.
Clearly most people on here have watched him live as a centre-half on numerous occasions and thus are better equipped to give an opinion on him in that role. I believe he played both centre-half and central defence when with Ajax so can play both roles.
In terms of his future…he has played nine games since making his debut v Everton in November and done really well. I would expect him to get elevated into the U/21's at some point because that what happens with most kids. No player in the history of our club has gone from the youth team direct into the first team. That includes Duncan Edwards, George Best, Norman Whiteside, Ryan Giggs and others.
I have yet to see see anything in Mensah to say he is that sort of class.
Just enjoy the lad play, watch his progress and if he is good enough he will make it.
The Pogba comparisons started yet?
Because he's black?
Why not Keane or Robson.
I've only seen the above video (FromTheBench), but he needs to improve his quality of tackling. Looks a player not afraid to go through other players. A rough diamond with a future.
Not just skin colour..he physically is similar and looks like same style of play and also Pogba was most recent brightest thing.
The comparison between Mensah and Pogba is as close as comparing Januzaj and Beckham if you ask me.