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2019-20 Performances


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5.3 Season Average Rating
Appearances
37
Goals
3
Assists
7
Yellow cards
1
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anant

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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Feb 28, 2015
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8,258
He had 5 minutes on the pitch you raging weirdos
I'll never get the reason why he gets hate. He had 5 minutes today, 10 vs Wolves and he isn't an impact sub. Needs time to settle in, understand the pace of the game to make an impact, and I'm sure people on here realize that before throwing abuse at him.
Ideally he should be starting games like these, instead of James and especially Lingard. Our record with him in starting XI since last year is way better than when he hasn't started, no idea why he isnt given more starts
 

kidbob

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He needs to come in for Lingard as the number 10 if Ole won't use Gomes yet. I know he's slow and lacks in the physical side but at the very least he can control the ball and pick a pass. I'd rather lose a bit of the press against teams like Palace and gain a little more in creativity. He also is way more of a goal threat and is our best free kick taker. It's not perfect by any means but in our current situation he's probably the best 10 we have right now. Only other option would be hoping Sanchez can play reasonably well there.
 

Yagami

Good post resistant
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Messages
13,472
He did one good thing and one bad.

The bad was that - right after coming on - his first attempt at a lobbed ball went out for a throw in despite him being under no pressure. I still don't get where this myth of him being a creative, quality passer of the ball comes from.

The good thing was that - as pretty much our last man - he reclaimed the ball and actually managed to shield it really well under pressure, and turned out of trouble winning us a free kick in doing so.
 

Kostov

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If we replace Lingard with Mata we would improve shit actually. While a better player, Mata is still not good enough.
 

Redtings

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Newbie
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Jan 15, 2019
Messages
32
I think whats frustrating people here is that Mata, while only given 5/10 minutes to make an impact, is taking valuable time away from Gomes who is seen to be a future prospect that could potentially be a great player.

Personally I think he is done at the top level (at least in the premier league), but yes making an impact in the 85th minute is a tough ask.
 

anant

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
8,258
2018/19
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P17 W10 D6 L1
PpG- 2.12

Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P21 W9 D3 L9
PpG- 1.43

Under Ole Last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P9 W5 D4 L0
PpG- 2.11

Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P12 W7 D0 L5
PpG- 1.75

Vs Top 6 sides last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P3 W0 D3 L0
PpG- 1

Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P7 W1 D1 L5
PpG- 0.57

Vs All Other sides last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P14 W10 D3 L1
PpG- 2.36

Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P14 W8 D2 L4
PpG- 1.86

Such a correlation between Mata starts and our performance is not just a coincidence. He has his weaknesses and I'd rather not play him against Top 6 and against some of the tougher sides away. But Mata is a necessity against sides that sit back, atleast till the time we don't have anyone better.

Edit:
Season before that:
With Mata-
P23 W17 D3 L3
PpG- 2.35

Without Mata
P15 W8 D3 L4
PpG- 1.8
 
Last edited:

RedDevilCanuck

Quite dreamy - blue eyes, blond hair, tanned skin
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
8,396
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The GTA
I am so sick of our set pieces that I want Mata to play more.

Look at Liverpool, they were whipping in crosses not posing any threat to Arsenal and then score a set piece goal, Arsenal chase game and get destroyed on the break.

Mata is our only set piece specialist and I would take all of his flaws to see some competant free kicks and corners especially at home against a bus parker.
 

Born2Lose

Full Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
2,534
The more time Mata spends on the bench, the better a player he becomes.
 

AFC NimbleThumb

Full Member
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Apr 21, 2019
Messages
8,280
This guy will play more minutes than Gomes this season & some people will still believe the “young, courageous” crap.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

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If we replace Lingard with Mata we would improve shit actually. While a better player, Mata is still not good enough.
Mata is being underrated at this point, the bloke can still make a forward pass and he is a good finisher in and around the box. He might actually thrive with all the pace around him.
 

SirMattBugsby

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May 27, 2016
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In the house!
Tbh he should be in for two major reasons: having brains and being half-decent on set-pieces. As @Wednesday at Stoke mentioned, not bad at arriving in the box to finish either. We have enough pace and legs, need qualities to complement them.
 

#07

makes new threads with tweets in the OP
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
23,258
With Mata even when he's decent, like today, he's not so good that its worth playing him.
 

Isotope

Ten Years a Cafite
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
23,554
Just pointless player on the pitch. As pointless as United extending his contract.
 

el3mel

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Oct 23, 2016
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43,735
Location
Egypt
He was good in the first half imo. Did far well than I usually expect from him in these kind of away games.
 

kundalini

Full Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
5,750
I thought he had a decent match. Did well to find space in the first half. Unselfish run off the ball created uncertainty in the Southampton defence, allowing Dan James the space to shoot for his goal.
 

ottosec

Full Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2012
Messages
6,550
Did well enough, I am not sure why the feck was he replaced by Lingard when the Saints were defending deep...
 

anant

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
8,258
Had a good game. Felt he shouldn't have been subbed and had he not been subbed, he would have been an important player after Southampton went down to 10 men
 

LoneStar

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Joined
Jun 25, 2017
Messages
3,558
He was decent today, so much better than the likes of Lingard and Periera. At least the guy can keep possession.

No secret we need a huge upgrade in that 10 position (or play Pogba), but he's the best option we have now.
 

MikeKing

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Aug 7, 2017
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Bournemouth
Had a pretty good game for once. Looked motivated.
 

Sylar

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May 15, 2007
Messages
40,254
Was unlucky to come off for Lingard, who was worse than him.

Robbie Earl at half time highlighted how he was helping and talking to James quite a lot during the first half.
 

Velvet Revolver

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Aug 8, 2010
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Inside Scholes's Brain
Mata and James were the best players in the first half. He has more intelligence than Rashford lingard and Perriera combined!! It’s a shame he was not used in this role when he was with us earlier! Too late now but still better option than lingard
 

Strats

Full Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
2,346
But he did though?

Thought he played quite well, seems to click with James. Questionable substitution, didn’t deserve to be hooked.
He did, I meant from now on.

I also agree on him clicking with James, would like to see them get some games to develop more chemistry. I think James speed suits Mata's game pretty well.
 
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