02 Feb 2018 12:53:52
At what point do we stop talking about potential and consider it might not actually happen? No, I’m not taking about Rashford, I’m talking about Pogba. Flashes of brilliance, the odd game where he looks like the player we were hoping for but on the whole I’ve found him underwhelming. I’m not saying he is a bad player, far from it. He’s a good player but I was hoping for a brilliant one and I’m yet to see that. Just me?
{Ed004's Note - I think the issue is we haven't been playing him consistently in his best position. Not until then will we see the best out of him. Maybe that's why we made a push to sign Jorginho on deadline day.}
02 Feb 2018 13:21:54
I think that’s a bit harsh AJH. I don’t think even De Bruyne would perform in our team on Wednesday. Pogba has been our best player this year and often the driving force in our best performances this year. Problem is when he is off form no other midfielder has the quality to step up and play those forward passes. I know people say it shouldn’t matter who pogba is playing with in midfield and that he should take the game by the scruff of the neck regardless. But balance and combinations are what title winning teams are made on. Partnerships in defence, midfield and even chemistry and understanding in attack is so important. We looked like a team of individuals on Wednesday and Tottenham a proper team. So my point is we haven’t got the right balance in midfield yet and are missing that important 3rd midfielder. A strong base is integral for him to express his array of talents going forward. He for me is up there with the best midfielders in this league but not the best. Once we get that third midfielder in then we can judge fully. Also just to mention Kante looks half the player this year without matic next to him. And that doesn’t mean matic is better it’s just because their understanding and the partnership was perfect for each other.
02 Feb 2018 13:16:03
Ed4
If that's the case why?
He has had average games playing in a 3 .
He has had good games playing in 2 .
Can he really only play 1 position?
Is it not all excuses .
I agree with ajh good player potential world class.
But we have been saying potential world class for a while now.
{Ed004's Note - I fully expect him to become world class. We look half a side when he doesn't play. The whole team had a bad game the other night so I kind of expected a few posts criticising individual players which is fair but not sure it should be the game where we decide that Pogba won't become a world class player. What it did highlight is the complete lack of leadership in our side and how poor our centre backs are on the ball compared to other top sides}
02 Feb 2018 13:28:35
Jorginho looks a very good player but plays cm, plays as a defensive playmaker.
Often drops in between the cbs .
Where would that leave matic?
{Ed004's Note - He would not be my pick. But he could be seen as cover for Matic who apparently has been injured past 6 weeks.}
02 Feb 2018 13:29:56
Park
Kante looked great with drinkeater beside him .
02 Feb 2018 13:32:39
Ed
Jorginho looks a better player than cover for matic.
But if jorginho was wanted how does that set up a 3 man midfield?
I agree a bad game against spurs doesn't mean pogba can't play cm .
{Ed004's Note - Well we have been interested in Weigl since before last summer so signing either him or Jorginho must be seen as replacing Matic who has no doubt gotten worse since start of the season. If we can not get Milinkovic Savic I wonder if signing someone like Vidal for short term would be worth it. Someone with a bit of grit and leadership. We had no one willing to get stuck in the other night and let spurs bully us}
02 Feb 2018 13:34:20
First premier league game he has lost in 35 wasn't it? Let's not overreact, he has been our best player this season and will continue to be.
02 Feb 2018 19:01:31
Ed saw some links to Vidal today maybe just the Chile conection.
{Ed004's Note - That's what I reckon is the case doubt we will go for him. But think we need someone like him in midfield.}
02 Feb 2018 19:53:28
I'd be pestering Spurs for Dembele. Brilliant presence in the midfield, who we should have been going for when he left Fulham, especially at a time when we were all looking for our midfield to be improved.
02 Feb 2018 20:40:15
99
Good player, I like a cm that can dribble which is a strong part of his game.