Kid deffo needs / deserves his thread now. Was a standout in the youth teams and looks to be the real deal already - despite just making his debut. Hard debut too; - away game start - selected ahead of Amrabat - no first-team warm-up sub mins, just straight in - oppo team & fans up for it after 10 points ban - team not playing well recently despite getting points - next to McHide and advanced Bruno means he had to do a lot on his own - ahead of Maguire and his hospital passes - played deepest - made a goal-line clearance and key block, reading the play - very rarely gave the ball away, despite receiving under pressure - mr cool throughout Very promising start.
Super impressed by his performance against Everton. He's clearly talented, but what's most impressive is his mental game. He doesn't seem to get rattled at all. Expecting big things from this kid but hopefully we don't throw him in the deep end too soon just because our recruiting is a mess.
First three EPL starts; - away to Everton - away to Newcastle - away to Liverpool (youngest Utd player to start game for us v Liverpool apparently) Out best CM in an intense fixture by a distance (didnt realise just how slow Amrabat is until see him alongside Mainoo). Given Liverpool were meh, probs the best CM on the pitch today.
He is a tremendous talent. His close control on the ball is excellent and isn't fazed when under pressure. Also picked out an excellent pass to set up Garnacho's chance yesterday.
Keane said he maybe takes a few too many risks with the ball around his own area, but he seemed encouraged to have him in the team. Agreed on the pass to Garnacho. Those two have played together a lot and it shows.
We aren't winning shit anytime soon. We need to build around this kid in midfield and start by giving him an actual 6 that can collect and distribute the ball and isn't clueless on defense.
Am I the only one who actually sees him as a 6 long term? I think he'd be much harder to replace as a 6 than an 8. Deep players of his ilk rarely come around.
He played more as an #8 in the youth teams. He did play #6 a few times but then also played #10 and forward a few times too. That said we have been 4-2-3-1 in youth team similar to first team - so often the more advanced in a double-pivot (eg alongside Gore who sat back more). So youth setup & experience doesnt limit where we can play him imo. Especially given how many #8 / #10s we have. I think generally we need to suspend the lone #6 against good oppo - as we dont have the bullet-proof #6 to play it in this league, especially if the #8s are McT & Bruno. Cas to slow, Mainoo too new and Amra still adjusting (and may be too slow too). Eriksen/Mount not #6s. Given Bruno likely starter would rather have Bruno #10 with Mainoo / Cas double pivot with Kobbie deeper as he is more mobile. Cas can do the McT thing ie score some goals but while also actually contributing to play & defence too. Amrabat to cover the deep double-pivot (Mainoo) and Eriksen/Mount to cover the advanced double pivot (Cas). McT to do the Fellaini #10 sub role only. I get EtH ultimately wants single-pivot 4-3-3 & why (two #8s pressing, dutch system etc.) but we need to see if Mainoo or Amrabat can develop into that with weaker oppo in this league first - so it cant be our go-to.
Not just pressing, but trying to get more opportunities up front is also why ETH has persisted with the single pivot. If our forwards aren't going to convert their opportunities, we need to up the number of opportunities we get. And with our talent level, we should technically be able to create more opportunities for the forwards with two 8's or an 8 & 8/10 hybrid. But we haven't been able to do that even against the lower table teams at home. Maybe he'll give us a run with the double pivot and he'll see that better midfield control leads to more opportunities up front.
Exactly. The whole single pivot so our midfield can create chances is such a flawed argument. We can't get the ball to our two 8s because we can't build from the back, so our backline is forced to go deep and bypass them. It doesn't make sense unless we had a Rodri type that can operate successfully in a single pivot. A double pivot allows our backline options to build out with, lets us keep possession and work the ball upfield to Bruno and the front line without isolating them. If ETH goes back to the single pivot next game with Bruno back, then WH stomping us will be on him.
Case de Jongba - The Kobbie Mainoo Thread Think he can be that good in time, plus he can play deep or forward with quality passing / vision and Pogba-like strength in keeping oppo away from the ball.
He had a slip-up yesterday but he will be fine. What concerns me is how we bring up our youngsters and don't have a solid enough team with quality mentors and veterans around them.
Kinda telling that he makes a mistake and the guy who goes over to him to give him an arm round the shoulder is Willy Kambwala who is only a few months older making his debut …
Agreed. Nobody should be criticizing Mainoo after the WH screw up. He’s a kid and it’s the first big mistake he’s made in 5 tough senior games while being paired with a lost McTominay and 6th/7th choice CB pairing.
Love watching the kid, he will make the odd mistake but he pretty much does the right thing 99.x% of the time. Even McT inexplicably kicking the ball at his stomach at point blank range doesnt faze him, cool as a cucumber.
There's no reason this kid should be as calm and composed as he is under pressure. But that's one of those mental things you just can't teach. As some have already said, build the midfield around this kid.