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13 Dec 2018 18:15:16
We saw last night what is really one of the biggest issues with our side presently.

We have a 89m problem in our side and it isn't an easy fix. Forget what Pogba does off the pitch it is what he does on the pitch that is the biggest problem to how we play.

On the surface it looks good, his stats read that he played more passes than anyone in our side last night (77) with a near 91% pass accuracy. He also had more touches than anyone else (93). A couple of "key passes" a few shots, 8 of his 9 attempted long passes were successful. However, that is only one side of the stats. He also only one one header, made one interception while he made no tackles, no blocks and no clearances.

So what is the story, what is happening when we combine the stats and what we see with our own eyes?

We see a player who demands the ball but does little to win it, a player who is obsessed with the "Hollywood" ball rather than the effective one. A highlight reel player. While his Hollywood long range passes look good, the time they take to get to their target gives the opposition time to get into position. Making them almost pointless.

This is the real problem, as the stats highlight what a massive drain of the ball he is to our side. This wouldn't be a problem if he was being effective with the ball, but he isn't. And I fear he won't be until he learns that the simple ball is often the best, speed of pass is more important than how it looks, and end result is more important than looking flash.

In this respect Mourinho has my sympathy, I don't think Pogba wants to hear the things that need to be said to him to improve him and allow him to achieve his full potential.

Until Pogba either learns or leaves we will struggle to get the best out of our side.

Agree16 Disagree5

13 Dec 2018 19:23:23
read an article in the rags were he says he is humiliated for being dropped. he admits he and others are not playing well, but his excuse for being humiliated is because of his stature in the game. i think that says it all if true.

13 Dec 2018 20:24:49
Shappy

I agree, watching Pogba last night, he passed the ball to the nearest player and stepped back into the pocket, put an opposition player between him and the ball. Once the ball was in front of him it looked like he felt he had done his job. Laconic, lethargic on the ball. I said on live chat that in the 70’s my late brother used to point out players who hid until ten minutes from the end of each half then put some effort in so they didn’t get a rollicking at the end. Pogba seemed like that, he and others insulted the shirt last night.

13 Dec 2018 21:18:59
It is apparent that Pogba is a luxury player not suited to being in a struggling team that needs to up its tempo and requires some genuine midfield leadership.

We can't afford a player who holds on to the ball too long, gets tackled, falls over hoping for a foul, and then rather than getting up and sprinting back, he stares at the ref in disbelief or bangs his fist on the ground. Equally as telling are the limited number of times United players in general and Pogba, in particular, actually sprint. He is altogether too languorous.

14 Dec 2018 00:15:11
Bang on Shappy.

The best midfielders in the game dictate play and control the pace of the gane. They keep it simple, one touch, then pass and m move. Pogba takes 5+ touches before losing the ball or playing a Hollywood pass or 40 yard shot. He might grow out of these habits as central midfield is a position for a player who is more mature on and off the pitch. Unfortunately I don't think he will.

14 Dec 2018 06:09:34
Mourinho asked for simplicity and he got it from pogba against valencia, hard to make any killer passes when no one is running in behind and everyone is standing on each others toes in midfield.

14 Dec 2018 11:26:30
You can't post stats showing how good Pogba is then slate him. Pretty much every manager who might replace Mou will want him in the team. Speaks volumes.

14 Dec 2018 11:37:25
DSG, the number of runs that our forwards make, particularly Rashford, is more than adequate. The problem is midfielders who can't pick a pass, and Pogba's key responsibility is to link defence and attack. You must be watching another game if you see anything but poor performance week in, week out from Pogba. He's not a kid any more, he's not potential any more, he's at an age where he should be at his peak, and if this is his peak then we will be lucky to find a buyer. He is the virus in the Club and we need shot of him ASAP.

14 Dec 2018 17:38:04
So72, Watch the charity game in the summer, I'll spend the entire match passing back to the keeper. By the end of the match I'll make 50+ passes with 100% accuracy.

Does that mean I've had a good game?

The stats only show half the story, and out of context they mean very little.

Some of the stats out of context look good. Some look awful. However, I felt they highlighted my point that he is a vortex in our team, drawing the ball into him limiting the chances for other players while also not actually producing very much.







 

 

 
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