for the first 20 minutes he played like absolute monster, it's just that he tends to switch off, play like annoying 6 sloppy passes than come out with something brilliant again only to hit the row z 3 times in 5 minutes... we should get used to it and he must be really glad to have Herrera and also Carrick there to have a freedom do whatever he wants but I think he should definitely work on his consistency..
6
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 51
- Goals
- 9
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 10
- Status
Coutinho played in a midfield 3 when lallana was injured or in 3 man attacking players behind a sole striker (origi/ Firmino as false 9). Pogba occupies almost same position as of Coutinho in the pitch. IMO, we can compare both of them as they have the same responsibilities in their respective team - get the ball from fellow midfielders and create opportunities for your teammates.
lmao
I think what most posters are trying to say is that when there is a simple forward pass to the wide players ( this option will not necessarily open a major opening but it also has a probability of a major opening if the wide player makes a good dribble or pass), He overlooks that simple pass and goes for an outrageous through ball to Zlatan which would provide zlatan a clear opening for a goal. By trying this, he gives away the possession and the attack breaks down. Then opposition can attack with venom as United already have 3-4 players ( couple of wide players,pogba, zlatan) committed in other half. Similarly when he has a simple through ball to feed to Zlatan, he goes for a 30-40 yard shot. In a nutshell, i think he goes for an assist or a goal instead of a pre-assist or goal.
He should express himself - that's why he is bought for such an astronomical fee but there is a time when to express yourself and when to keep it simple for a key pass but not an assist. He has a lot to learn from Iniesta who gets loads of assist but does not always go for the killer pass.
Me too.
You can't compare anyone to Pogba. He is unique. There is no player in the world that look like him. And that's why one day people will compare him to Modric, the next day to Iniesta and then to Coutinho. Pogba is Pogba, accept that and be happy that one of the 10 best players in the world plays here !
The uniqueness of Pogba is that he has the vision and attacking prowess of a #10, the positioning and work rate of a #8, the physicality and presence and (when he wants to) the tackling of a #6. With most players you have to compromise, exchange some qualities for others, but the Pog combines it all into one magnifique package.
I wouldn't swap him for any player in his position in the world, and how many players can we honestly say that about in our squad? With the exception of David De GOAT probably no one.
I wouldn't swap him for any player in his position in the world, and how many players can we honestly say that about in our squad? With the exception of David De GOAT probably no one.
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Indeed, technique like that is usually something you see in small, snappy midfielders, not a huge beast of a man.
His upper body strength still astounds me.
Zidane was playing for Bordeaux at 23 and was hardly a world-beater at the time. Pogba is better than Zidane was at 23. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll become the better player, but he certainly has all the attributes to reach Zidane's level.
I didn't think his start was worrying or poor either.
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I don't think it's biased. I think I'm being objective and heavily supported by data. B
We have claims he is the best midfielder in the PL from many because of last nights performance. I dont think thats true yet.
Likewise, my benchmarks are former United midfield greats like Robson, Ince, Keane, Scholes and Carrick. The steady improvement is reassuring and enjoyable but Im simply resisting from what I think is hyperbole. Of course, its simply my opinion and I may be wrong.
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Lets focus on where we agree
I think I get the point of him now. I thought we were getting a box to box machine whereas he's actually a midfield playmaker. Now I've understood that, its easier to judge his performances and progress. Last night, I saw a shadow version of Zidane, hence the comparison, and £90m would be worth it if he can develop into a similar player within a few years.
To develop into such a player, he'll also need his own 'Deschamps' type of water carrier to do his dirty work and 3 fast attackers with excellent ball control ahead of him to feed and inspire. If he can demonstrate rapid development, building the team around him is a risk worth taking.
But there are some big assumptions and if's in that scenario which require more certainty, hence my caution.
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What I tried to imply was that neither of the two very, very good passes were the kind of 'so brilliant we can forget what he did the rest of the game'.I read this a couple times and I'm not fully sure on what you're tryna say. Are you saying the chip to Rooney wasn't "chipping someone into a good opportunity"?
And the other part reads as "the chance he created for zlatan was a clear cut chance but less clear cut than others" like
I hope my reading comprehension has abandoned me because I hope we are not criticising players on creating clear cut chances that are less clear cut chances created by others. I mean I'm not even sure on what a clear cut chance that isn't so clear cut is, but ok. Pogba might have to start dribbling past 8 outfield players plus the goalkeeper and then play the through ball so our strikers and other players outside of zlatan's skill level can score with minimum effort. I mean...what
Agree it was LVG-esque. Agree about lack of movement up front.
Disagree about Pogba and Ibrahimovic being the only ones to open it up. Blind, Herrera, Carrick, Rojo, Bailley, Mata (several times) and Rooney (several times) did well to create dangerous moments.
Disagree that misplaced passes in this game is due to going for the marginal. Many of his lost balls were simple, with small gain and so etimes high risk.
Disagree that Rooney's was a poor shot. He had to shoot on the turn as he was back to goal in a tight spot. Those are missed alot mor often than they are scored.
In that case you're using the wrong benchmarks to debunk said claims. The contenders for the best midfielders in the PL today are certainly not of the level of the highlighted players. Pogba's competition in this regard are the likes of Kante, Deli Ali, Dembele, Carzola etc.
Pogba's only issue with regards to that claim is A) his pefornances in the games with less space and B) his bad games have been really awful. Then again, noone has the same expectations from Dembele as they do from Pogba.
This was underrated
Great post.
I might add that he's meant to be a monster in training too, serious work ethic. Given his galactico status that will be a particularly positive squad influence generally, plus he also helps us retain and attract top talent at the club.
Good observation and from that point of view, you'd be right that my comparison set is wrong...
As an aside, its quite depressing at how standards are quite low right now in the PL vs the noughties
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No, Spurs were playing.
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People judge players by final scorelines regardless of their performances.
A player with less skill, talents and having shown less get rated higher than a better player if they happen to be playing in a winning team.
Some players whom aren't even worthy of lacing Pogba's shoes currently get rated higher than him because we're simply lagging behind right now while they happen to be in teams performing better than ours.
But as individual players Pogba is levels above.
Heck take Pogba performances as they've been up until now this season but change our conversion rate in front of goal and you'll have people screaming Pogba is the best thing since slice bread.
A player with less skill, talents and having shown less get rated higher than a better player if they happen to be playing in a winning team.
Some players whom aren't even worthy of lacing Pogba's shoes currently get rated higher than him because we're simply lagging behind right now while they happen to be in teams performing better than ours.
But as individual players Pogba is levels above.
Heck take Pogba performances as they've been up until now this season but change our conversion rate in front of goal and you'll have people screaming Pogba is the best thing since slice bread.
I totally agree with you
Yup a Liverpool fan I know keeps insisting Henderson is better than him.
West Brom 0:2 Man Utd
Hugely improved from Wednesday, thus far.
Still can't believe he plays for us. Looking sharp at the moment.
he was brilliant on WednesdayWhat at though ?
Watching players try to press him is funny. Just too strong and skillful for most of them
Pressing. That's about it.
Real class player. Makes the basics look so easy.
Think hes been really good so far. Helping get us out of tricky positions in a defensive position (bar the one that he got robbed on the edge of the box).
Class today again.
Putting in a shift defensively, covering that left side.
If that
Best midfielder in the league, always feel confident with him and Zlatan in the team
Went and gave his shirt to a kid in a wheelchair, nice touch.
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