Match Day Thread 2017/18 Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

Style of play or chosen position has nothing to do with being able to control the ball or your legs. I have said ever since we were linked with him that he is no better now than when he demanded a first team place and Fergie laughed, I stand by that.
Extravert actions and personality are no substitute for performance (see Balotelli).

Does he have the ability if he applies himself, yes.
Without the application and work he will just fade away, perhaps the easier, slower Italian league gave him the impression he is too good to have to try.

 

Carrick is probably still the best player at what he does in the PL.

 

"Does he have the ability"?

Do you mean to live up to the misplaced "World Class" status or the ability to sustain a decent level of football consistently?
It's blatantly obvious he isn't world class, but he can be decent when he actually tries, and his time in Italy have made him a lazy player who still plays at the same pace as Serie A, the kid's an athlete but seems more interested in his brand than his football.

 

Salah put Egypt 1-0 up in Portugal and it took until Fergie time for Ronaldo to get a brace and give Portugal a 2-1 victory.

 

No shame in that, it's what Ronaldo does. I think it's 21 goals in his last 9 league games for Madrid now and 19 in his last 11 CL games. The man is a phenomenon.

 

He could quite easily get there with a bit of effort.

 

"easily"?

He's had the chance in almost two seasons at OT to easily prove that he has that status but failed miserably, it's only now that Mourinho is losing patience with him that he's been under pressure at Utd, his place up until recently was gauranteed, speaks volumes that he's been dropped.
I don't need to ask you if Fergie would have put up with the weekly haircuts, dabbing, emoji's and social media crap, maybe if he never had all that ****e going on his game would improve.
So I hope he carries on with his crap.

 

I think there is a huge parallel between pogba and balotelli. Both are amazingly talented individuals and if they could get their heads right they could both be special.
Only major difference to me is it is too late for mario but pogba has got plenty of time. When his confidence was up earlier in the season he looked every inch what he was supposed to be. Think you have already said it was after his injury. maybe his confidence took a hit, maybe team confidence took a hit and tactics changed from manager but whatever the reason not had a great second half of season so far.
I am certain his quality will come to fore again, that said i was convinced marios would too

 

He had 2 great months where he made the game look easy. You are right I did say the injury killed him but, he has had plenty of game time to get past that.

 

French manager got him cheaper

 

Yeah

but the team he has come back into isnt as free flowing as it was when he got injured is it? I honestly cant remember but you were tanking sides which is why i am thinking it may not be totally all his own doing. But yeah i suppose he has had time. Obviously i really wasnt paying much attention when he left the first time. If he was coming with the big ead there is no way mr ferguson would have stood for that. Maybe jose dropping him is what he needs? We will soon find out.
Tell you what i really dislike though, and it has just happened with pogba. When int managers start getting involved in club matters.
In my head the clubs should have final say on all things as they pay the wage for these guys. Any opinions they have on club matters should be kept to themselves imho
I dont mind as much, possibly hypocritically, when club managers stick there noses into int business, but defo not the other way around.

 

TBF the French manager has only said that Pogba can't be happy being left out of the team which is something I hope is true, he then left Pogba out of the team suggesting he thinks there is a reason to.

 

It was bizarre that the French manager got himself involved then does the opposite of what it looked like he would do and dropped him himself.
I know the lad did come on as sub but surely Pogba knows he's got to change or he'll get ****ed off by Utd and probably by his national team.

 

Like I said, he never said it was wrong to drop him just that he couldn't be happy about it.

Read the quote not the click bait headline is my motto


EDIT, not aimed at you, just a general point

 

Not sure if BBC actually watched the game

Kyle Walker (centre-back) 8 - MAN OF THE MATCH
Very comfortable in that unfamiliar role on the right side of defence. Pace a real asset there and a big bonus for Southgate.

Pretty sure Stones and McGuire played CB for most of the game and Walker played his very familiar RB role.

 

no mate he will play 90 in both and miss palace game now.

 

That's what I said

 

thought you meant the next england game

 

No, he'll play 90mins again there