Pogba on the right of a front 3

[RayK47]

Rashford------Martial------Pogba
---------------------Bruno------------------


He's an attacking player, the number 10 role is Bruno's.
We play that formation, can't rely on him to do the responsible defensive role needed in midfield.
Play him there, let him get on the ball in the pockets of spaces, how Mata does, further up the pitch and attack, he'll enjoy that. Some defensive duty needed on the right but much less than that midfield role.

 

[Pexbo]

If we were to go down that route, I’d play him from the left in the same role Mata plays from the right with Rashford playing from the right.

 

[Jaxa]

I do agree we don't use the attacking abilities he has to the best of our advantage, it's just about how do you fit him into that attack, not sure he would be as effective on the right, looks to be more suited on the left but then what do you do with Rashford ? Not sure he would be as effective on the right either,

I would like to see him played higher in games though, he's a beast in the air and has very quick feet and good link up play, to be honest I have never thought Paul is best equipped in a holding or deep lying role, he needs to be up where the action is to get the best out of him.

 

[TheGame]

Yes I agree with this and think it would suit him better with cover behind him. I do think it should be from the right as Rashford is better from the left.

 

[redNATION]

If we had Pep or another tactically minded coach this would be doable, but with Ole feels like he’s stuck with his rigid ways in terms of formation.

Pogba is good at beating his man though so would benefit from playing the wide playmaker role

 

[LJJT]

I’d rather see VDB in that position to be honest

 

[elmo]

He should be on the bench until his form picks up.

 

[dcrompton]

If we had Pep or another tactically minded coach this would be doable, but with Ole feels like he’s stuck with his rigid ways in terms of formation

The OP isn’t suggesting a change of formation but moving a player to a different role in formation. I also think this is the way to go with Pogba as he is a bit of a liability with his sloppy passing and tendency to hold onto ball too long deep. Could be a good stopgap to have him in rotation as one of the 3 behind the striker alongside Bruno, VDB, Mata

 

[quethenoo]

If we were to go down that route, I’d play him from the left in the same role Mata plays from the right with Rashford playing from the right.

Yeah I suggested this in the Newcastle game thread, I could see it working although Rashford seems to be better on the left.

 

[redNATION]

The OP isn’t suggesting a change of formation but moving a player to a different role in formation. I also think this is the way to go with Pogba as he is a bit of a liability with his sloppy passing and tendency to hold onto ball too long deep. Could be a good stopgap to have him in rotation as one of the 3 behind the striker alongside Bruno, VDB, Mata

But practically speaking it would require very different thinking as to how that role would operate with a CAM on the wings, like how Pep or Spain occasionally played iniesta on the wing, but I haven’t seen that tactual flexibility from Ole ie can’t just plop Pogba on the right and tell him to play like a winger

 

[OleTheGreat]

We could've used Grealish on the right but I don't see Pogba as part of the front 3. I don't think he'll really excel in that position. He's a midfielder and an attacking one at that. He'll be fantastic as part of 2 number 8s and not as good as part of 2 number 6s. He's got a wide range of passes in him and he can create well when he's played behind the front 3 instead of being part of the 3. We need a proper right winger because we need somebody who sticks to the touchline on the right and expands the formation to create more in-roads for our midfielders to get in and be part of the attack. Therefore I for one don't see him as a right sided forward or any forward for that matter. He is someone who carries the ball and creates chances for the attackers to latch onto and score.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

We'd probably struggle against teams who have a left back that attacks. Say what you want about Mata but he doesn't shirk his defence duties and pretty much always gets back.

If anyone it'd be Bruno that i'd put on the right (which I think we did vs. Newcastle at the end?)

 

[RayK47]

He would be better on the left of the front 3 no doubt.
But I think he will be better than Rashford on the right.
He can put a good cross in. If he gets past his man to the byline can then pick out a pass.
The best thing is for him to pick up the ball more centrally further up the pitch in the pockets of spaces and set up attacks there.
He should be considered as one of best options for the right now, he really is.

 

[AbusementPark]

No, don't think it would suit him. He would drop back too much to be involved in the play and leave the rw vacant with awb running in and being dealt with easily. We need a proper rw player, mata done brilliant at Newcastle but as a long term fix we need to either address the situation and get someone in January.
Diallo is left footed and plays on the right, same as about 6 other players we have in the team and then Pellistri may not be ready for the rigours of the Premier league.

 

[Strelok]

How about a RB, he would turn into the new TTA. Seriously have we have enough of this?

 

[Lu Tze]

No. Pogba does not have the work rate to be part of a front 3. Bruno does. We should play him there in a KdB esque free role. He has excellent crosses, quick feet, a quick mind and ridiculous work rate. Think David Beckham with worse crossing but better in some other attributes. Let DVB and Pogba thrive in the middle which is the only place they really fit.

 

[VP89]

The way Mata has performed for us I would rather see him in that RW spot (if Greenwood is on the naughty step). I think Mata and Bruno have a bit more fluidity too and Mata is capable of quicker interchanges in tight positions better. Plus I think Mata's work ethic might be going under the radar. He looks to be quite active off the ball to me at least.

 

[RayK47]

I’d rather see VDB in that position to be honest

I was thinking VdB would take Pogba's position in Midfield.
Higher work rate than pogba and seems aggressive, great attitude.
VdB does want the more attacking role further up, but would hope he can do the box to box role.

----------Bruno---------
----Mctom---VdB----

 

[CG1010]

Yeah, imagine Pogba tracking back the opposition LB.. at the moment his best qualities is his passing, which would be mostly nullified playing in that role. Totally non-starter.

 

[The Original]

Yeah I suggested this in the Newcastle game thread, I could see it working although Rashford seems to be better on the left.

Way I see it Pogba would be as good as Rashford on the left but Rahsford would be much better than James on the right.

 

[The Original]

Yeah, imagine Pogba tracking back the opposition LB.. at the moment his best qualities is his passing, which would be mostly nullified playing in that role. Totally non-starter.

Not a problem since Fred and McTominay would be on

 

[quethenoo]

Way I see it Pogba would be as good as Rashford on the left but Rahsford would be much better than James on the right.

That was my thinking too, just a caveat really.

 

[RedRonaldo]

He should be used as impact sub. He doesn’t have the discipline play any defensive role, nor does he have the work rate to play full 90mins in midfield. He does have the talent to play impact sub though.

 

[Faetheshire86]

But practically speaking it would require very different thinking as to how that role would operate with a CAM on the wings, like how Pep or Spain occasionally played iniesta on the wing, but I haven’t seen that tactual flexibility from Ole ie can’t just plop Pogba on the right and tell him to play like a winger

We haven't played with an out-and-out right winger for years, probably since Valencia. Our right winger always tucks in, whether it be Greenwood, Mata or Lingard.

 

[SSSSnake]

4-2-3-1

Fred and Tommy M holding
Pogba on the right, Bruno in the middle and Rashford on the left and Martial/Greenwood/Cavani up top

 

[CG1010]

Not a problem since Fred and McTominay would be on

He won't have good enough attacking contribution to be given a role without any defensive responsibilities. That's only afforded to the likes of Ronaldo, Messi etc..

 

[K Stand Knut]

Can we just sell him instead??

 

[Berbasbullet]

Neh he’d better off the left but no room for him there.

 

[Borys]

Rashford------Martial------Pogba
---------------------Bruno------------------


He's an attacking player, the number 10 role is Bruno's.
We play that formation, can't rely on him to do the responsible defensive role needed in midfield.
Play him there, let him get on the ball in the pockets of spaces, how Mata does, further up the pitch and attack, he'll enjoy that. Some defensive duty needed on the right but much less than that midfield role.

1. Greenwood
2. Mata
3. James
4. Pogba

If all above Pogba are not available, then why not.

He'll be moving further down the pecking order if he doesn't improve his form.

Impact sub for now.

 

[kolli]

Yeah, imagine Pogba tracking back the opposition LB.. at the moment his best qualities is his passing, which would be mostly nullified playing in that role. Totally non-starter.

Couldn't he play it more Beckham style with is passing range?

 

[Sunny Jim]

Would it make sense to go for a Christmas Tree formation??

Fred Matić McT
Bruno Pogba
Rashford/Matrial

Both Bruno and Pogba can drift wide or fill the void in the penalty are of Rashford/Martial work the channel

 

[K_Ash]

Yeah, imagine Pogba tracking back the opposition LB.. at the moment his best qualities is his passing, which would be mostly nullified playing in that role. Totally non-starter.

whenever you have two DMs..your wingers should not have to do that much tracking back...Fred should not be "allowed" to push forward as much as he does.

 

[Valencia's Left Foot]

Rashford------Martial------Pogba
---------------------Bruno------------------


He's an attacking player, the number 10 role is Bruno's.
We play that formation, can't rely on him to do the responsible defensive role needed in midfield.
Play him there, let him get on the ball in the pockets of spaces, how Mata does, further up the pitch and attack, he'll enjoy that. Some defensive duty needed on the right but much less than that midfield role.

Here we go again, overhauling the entire lineup to somehow get the best out of Pogba. He is what he is, there is no magical position that’s going to turn him into a more consistent performer. Let’s just have him play goalie and see if that works.

 

[HowYouDoin]

I have thought this for a long time. You wanna get the best of Pogba you play him as a part of front 3. Ideally as a false 9. But yeah on the right, that can work too. He is not a midfielder though, doesnt have the discipline to be one.
Like someone said in the Newcastle thread, if he played the whole game we would be left wondering why Newcastle has so much space in the midfield.

Anywho best to sell him and let someone else deal with him, I also like him as an impact sub, I wouldnt start him anymore but if you do insist on playing him then yeah, as a part of the front 3 he would probably be the best that we can get out of him.

 

[HowYouDoin]

Here we go again, overhauling the entire lineup to somehow get the best out of Pogba. He is what he is, there is no magical position that’s going to turn him into a more consistent performer. Let’s just have him play goalie and see if that works.

Ya thats very true. Quality players just make it work. Greenwood made it work at the RW. Bruno makes it work whether an 8 or a 10.
You take someone like Modric. Croatian team asked him to be 6, 8 and a 10. He always made it all work.
Yet with Pogba there is always a lot missing.

Im just fine with him as an impact sub until we sell him. We have really tried everything and we cant blame ourselves here. He was given enough time, we have had different managers and each time it just didnt work. Its him, its not us.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Sure, the only thing we won't be using i.e. sacrificing is his flashy long passes.
It's not even useful against low blocks.

In return, he'll...

• create more chances as he focus more on attacking.
• get in the box more to score which he is good at actually in the air and ground.
• dribble more past defenders.
• use his pace well when we do quick counter. For a CM, he's very pacy and fast which we're not using enough.
• free-r for him to carry the ball forward which he is good at and we're not using as he had to be discipline and passing in deeper area.
• press high initiative. Let's not forget Pogba in 18/19 is really good at high pressing under Ole, this is when he's given the free license to attack with 2 CDMs behind him.

Additionally...

• VDB - more chances to play VDB and try him at CDM if we had to. I think he's more natural there than Pogba and at least have better defensive skills. No doubt VDB can give better balance performance at CDM than Pogba.
• Mason & James - competition to Greenwood and James to start picking up their slacks. They especially James performance wise have been very disappointing.
• Bruno - help Bruno creating stuffs higher up with 1-2 passes and movements, basically how Mata help ease Bruno at higher positions. Having another playmaker who can get on the same wavelength as Bruno helps him tremendously especially since his form now is not consistent yet.
• Defense - our fragile defense will have better protections at the back with either two of McT, Fred, Matic and VDB supporting them.

 

[Sandikan]

You certainly want him as close to the opponent's goal as possible, ideally with a couple of midfielders behind him.

But he's shown his best form for Juventus more on the left than the right.

 

[RashyForPM]

Greenwood may be acting like a twat recently, but he doesn’t deserve to be dropped for his performances yet. Especially for an inconsistent player who would be out of his supposed position. I can see where you’re coming from though, Pogba in that De Bruyne pocket around the corner of the box whipping balls in or coming in for headers could be very powerful for us.

 

[RedNed77]

Can we just sell him instead??

Pretty much this, how long until we’re asking whether he could maybe do a job in goal. Good player in there somewhere, but just not for us. Get the cash.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

Pogba is not a winger. He's a midfielder. End of. And no, he is not an attacking midfielder. Never has been and never will be. People keep talking about him being played out of position but that's just not the case. Pogba is playing in his natural position as a number 8...