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2019-20 Performances


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6.1 Season Average Rating
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22
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1
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4
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Suedesi

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That's not a representative analogy. Mata is already past it in terms of performances whereas James was not, at the time. There is also not that much between Bruno and James in terms of age as Bruno is 25. James had achieved way more at that age.

Also, the point is that James has been a top-class player, so good that even on his decline he is better than many, and at possibly on par with an emerging Bruno (who may continue to rise and eventually surpass him).

You may disagree but you certainly haven't advanced any argument as to why Bruno is much better.
James hasn't been a top class player, if he was Real wouldn't try to jam him elsewhere.
He's played 400 minutes in La Liga all season, and hardly played more than 1000 minutes the season before in the Bundesliga. Bayern also PASSED on the chance to sign him permanently after his loan. So there.

Anyways, take the Hamas Rodrigues fanboyism elsewhere, this is the Pogba thread.

Who incidentally played well - grew tremendously into the game and finished on a high. Good one Pog Lad.
 

E-mal

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He was immense today, him and Matic.
Bruno though, he desperately needs a rest.
 

ha_rooney

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Thought he was quite good. Needs to play further forward though, he’s too deep to impact the game the way he can.
 

Himannv

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He played well today although he didn't have as much impact in terms of deciding the game. Still, this was a solid and mature performance and I think he's done it a few times now. Happy to sit back and let Bruno be the AM, which is what is best for the shape of the team.
 

criticalanalysis

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I've said it previously that it's a travesty how our most gifted player on the ball, probably had the fewest touches for all the good positions he was in.

Say what you want about him but in that midfield three, you could argue that he was the only one that was trying to play to a 'system'. I put that word in commas but quite frankly the tactics is awfully basic. You could possible take a screenshot of any minute of the first 70 and he was alway perfectly positioned in the circle centre, whilst your Matics and Brunos was more closer to both penalty boxes.

That's not a slight or criticism of the individual performances but we need to address this shocking 4-2-3-1 formation, which actually plays more like 4-2-4.

I thought Pogba was okay bordering on poor and by his standards definitely poor but you can tell he was trying, doing a lot of defensive work and trying to remain disciplined. However, it's simply not his game to be one of two deepest midfielders in a team that pannicks when playing out from the back when 2-3 opposition start pressing. It's embarrassing stuff.

We're getting 'by' with our athleticism and fresh mentality but over the course of a season, Ole needs to prove his coaching ability. More rotation, more passing patterns, stop letting the players just 'play it out', 'being brave and putting a Utd performance' etc. He needs to give specific instructions and provide them with a platform to play football without relying on just out running the opposition or just giving it to the best players.
 

Tony247

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Very good composed performance today. Brought some stability among insanity.
 

Ludens the Red

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Voted him motm today. Surprised to see he wasn’t in the top five choices for that. Thought he did really well, nothing spectacular but very professional and smart with his play today.
 

Keefy18

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Incredible to read some of the crazy comments on here, same old stick thrown at him..

Thought he was arguably our best player today. Set up our 2 best chances in the first half (Bruno offside goal and the Martial chance). Solid work rate and put in a shift, something often thrown at him also for being lazy.

Bruno was woeful today, but I do understand it's fatigue more than anything.
 

K_Ash

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we will need to play some diamond next season, to liberate him a bit more. He has to be too deep at times
 

sammsky1

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Was one off our better players today. Still abit sloppy at times, but was disciplined and focused at all times.
 

izzydiggler

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He did OK today apart from his ‘chasing back’ at one point, which if you’re being charitable could just be exhaustion as the whole team have looked very leggy the past few games.

But next season, he needs a more advanced role...you could get a far lesser player doing what he’s doing - I’m not his biggest fan but he’s totally wasted as a holding midfielder and Ole needs to work out how best to get him and Bruno playing together as that’s what is going to win us a lot of games.
 

thepolice123

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Incredible to read some of the crazy comments on here, same old stick thrown at him..

Thought he was arguably our best player today. Set up our 2 best chances in the first half (Bruno offside goal and the Martial chance). Solid work rate and put in a shift, something often thrown at him also for being lazy.

Bruno was woeful today, but I do understand it's fatigue more than anything.
Also the Rashford chance where he scuffed the shot.
 

Le Red

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He did well in a number of instances but he gave the ball twice leading to very dangerous counters, again with that stupid spin against two markers.
He needs to cut that out of his game, period.
 

Tarrou

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pretty good

was always going to be a frantic match but he remained composed for the most part, just gave away possession a couple of times in silly situations
 

Shiva87

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Absolutely mature and immense from him tonight. Leading the midfield like a WC winner. No shenanigans in an under pressure match.

MOTM (along with Lindelof)! He always turns up in the games that matter.
 

Strelok

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Had a great game today. Very composed on and off the ball. Showed a great desire and very driven. Sorry man to doubt your motivation after the last match.

Stepped up big time when clearly Bruno and Matic running on fumes and having a bad game. Great game :devil:
 

MattofManchester

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Started off sloppy, but grew into the game and was trying to set up chances for us, doing it without much support.
Was probably our best player today. Can't believe there were people slating him in the Match Day thread.

His little burst of energy and fire towards the end of the game was nice to see. Paints a good sign that he actually wants to be here.
 

Zoo

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Another mature performance like when he stepped up in the second half against Palace. Defended well against their set pieces too.
 

Foxbatt

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By his standard which is supposed to be a world class midfield player he didn't perform. In my opinion he and Bruno and Matic doesn't fit. If we get a quick DM to replace Matic he may play better. He simply cannot chase and he is like a tanker in that it takes ages for him to move.
 

Keefy18

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Also the Rashford chance where he scuffed the shot.
Yep, the hate on him sometimes isn't one born out of reality.

It's clearly a personal hatred / disliking...call it what you will, but its not an honest assessment of him at times.
 

Valencia Shin Crosses

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"Martial...He's isolated Skrtel here..."
By his standard which is supposed to be a world class midfield player he didn't perform. In my opinion he and Bruno and Matic doesn't fit. If we get a quick DM to replace Matic he may play better. He simply cannot chase and he is like a tanker in that it takes ages for him to move.
The problem is more that Bruno stopped dropping back to aid in harassing defenders, and it basically put Pogba (who already isn’t good defensively but has a physical presence) on an island with a Matic that cant move at this point.
 

Strelok

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By his standard which is supposed to be a world class midfield player he didn't perform. In my opinion he and Bruno and Matic doesn't fit. If we get a quick DM to replace Matic he may play better. He simply cannot chase and he is like a tanker in that it takes ages for him to move.
Common man he had a great game today. Not everyone is born Yaya Toure. When we had possesion he usually took position high up the pitch so clearly he couldn't chase back in time. Could had two assist today, kept possesion really well, was pretty everywhere, decent defensively, good linking and dictated our tempo. Very energetic and hungry. Can't ask more I think.
 

sammsky1

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Absolutely mature and immense from him tonight. Leading the midfield like a WC winner. No shenanigans in an under pressure match.
MOTM (along with Lindelof)! He always turns up in the games that matter.
:lol:
 

DickDastardly

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Well now. Reading all this, i must have watched a different ball game.

And i only had one beer ffs.

He was nowhere near good enough.

Just a couple out of my head....

1. He should have bit the bullet and should have fouled Ihenacho for their break.
We go down a goal, we're in deep shit. It was a 3 on 2 situation and 9 out of 10, that's a goal.

2. Got caught in possession at least 3 times, and i don't mean in their half or some 50/50 challenges. Three times in our half, and all created a halfchance for them.

3. That square ball - from the right halfway line - shit like that get's you kicked out of under 16 selections.

The good stuff you mention, what, that ball for Rashford?! Hollywood pass going nowhere 9 out of 10. Mistimed bounce made that chance, not the ball.

Saying it again - just not good enough.
Maybe i'm being too harsh, not accounting fatigue, but you should relish games like this - eat them up. Go big.
 

Bobski

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Does he look a bit heavier than ideal to anyone? It might just be the fit of the kit, the TV or still getting back up to peak shape after a lay off. No doubt he is fatigued, and I am looking for reasons for his more sluggish than normal movement.
 

DarkXaero

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I feel like we aren't using him to his maximum effectiveness by playing him that deep. It's not a role that he excels at either, because he struggles with high press. His passing ability is up there with the best, but he needs more time on the ball, and could benefit from being in more advanced positions as well.
 
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