Showing posts with label Pogba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pogba. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Janujaz could be great, or another Macheda




Adnan Janujaz is a talent, sure. He scored two against Sunderland and won the game for Manchester United, but let's get some perspective, he's 18 and made one start.

I love to be right, don't get me wrong, but I also like to be proved wrong.

In a month, season, 3 years, show me this article and say "Hey, Janujaz proved to be better than you thought." I'd be happy to say I was wrong and that he's fantastic to watch, wins games and is proven at the top level.

Right now he's played 3 games for United's first team - one of which was the Charity Shield.

Just because David Moyes' team have struggled so far and are searching for some inspiration with Robin van Persie not firing just yet, putting all the pressure on a young kid who won reserve team player of the year last season isn't right.

People are talking about his residency and nationality already as if he's going to win the World Cup every time he plays in it. There's talk of a $50,000/week contract so he doesn't 'do a Pogba' and head off somewhere else.

But wasn't Ravel Morrison 'the best United youngster since Paul Scholes'? I know people said these things about young kids, and Paul Pogba and Morrison could still go on to be greats of the game, but even now, they're just youngsters finding their way. And didn't we hear the same about Federico Macheda a couple of years ago? Seems he wasn't enough of a 'wonderkid' to get a deal at QPR, Sampdoria or Stuttgart. Maybe his loan at Doncaster will work out. 

All of them have played far more than Janujaz. None is are stars yet.

Everytime a young player comes on the scene he's hyped as the 'next Ronaldo, Messi or Pele'. It's not a fair comparison and puts far too much pressure on. Let these players make a name for themselves with their ability, not the media hype.

Because he could be the next Luke Chadwick - but that doesn't make for as good reading.




Monday, September 30, 2013

Who saw that coming? Apart from Fergie


Bit of a strange one this weekend - it felt like 1989. Manchester United and City both lost, Arsenal are top and Liverpool second.

Some unexpected results in the Premier League, but United's struggles are not that shocking. It's a largely aging first team, there are a lack of creative players and they find it hard to score if Rooney or van Persie are out or off form. 

Fergie saw it coming. Giggs and Scholes are done, Rio is almost done, Young, Valencia and Nani aren't up to that level. Fellani was a panic buy and Moyes seems a bit overwhelmed. They may have an average year, but United will spend, and be back soon. 

City's loss was more of a surprise. They need to find some consistency. 

West Ham, Palace and Sunderland will find it hard going. They can't score goals, and that makes winning very hard. The saving grace for the teams below 7th or 8th is that they are all pretty average. Teams will take points off each other all year, so there are no lock in favorites for relegation....yet. 

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Atletico won the Madrid derby to stay perfect. A big surprise? Yes, but no. Bale, Ronaldo etc. are still working it out. I'm glad they lost as it shows that it's still a team game and buying the best players doesn't make you a team straight away. Real will still be very strong this year and don't be too surprised if the Champions League is their number 1 priority.

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Juventus won the Turin derby on an offside goal by Paul Pogba. I bet Manchester United wish they still had him. Serie A is shaping up to be as competitive as the English Premier League this year. Atletico are trying in Spain, but hopefully this year will keep us guessing the whole way.