The curious case of Juan Mata
- Thread starter Derryank
- Start date
tiger666
Large Member
- Jan 4, 2005
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and wages...
CoopsieDeadpool
Well-Known Member
- Jun 8, 2012
- 18,257
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If only we could get him in!
Yeah I know, he's not a 'Poch type' of player, and Mourinho apparently didn't/doesn't like him because he doesn't do the ugly stuff, like tracking back etc, but he's a bloody brilliant little player.
I don't think we have any player like him in our squad which, in my opinion, really isn't a bad thing at all. I'd be willing to bet the majority of members on here would agree that we lack a lock picker, a player that can magic something up out of nothing, see those gaps that our current players don't seem to be able to see when we play those pesky bus parking teams (and they'll become more frequent as time goes by).
I wouldn't even think twice, if we had the slightest chance of getting him which, thanks to his salary, is massively unlikely. I just think if we applied a little bit of common sense & thought to ourselves, hmm, Chadli, Carroll, Mason or Mata?
Is that really such a difficult decision?
Yeah I know, he's not a 'Poch type' of player, and Mourinho apparently didn't/doesn't like him because he doesn't do the ugly stuff, like tracking back etc, but he's a bloody brilliant little player.
I don't think we have any player like him in our squad which, in my opinion, really isn't a bad thing at all. I'd be willing to bet the majority of members on here would agree that we lack a lock picker, a player that can magic something up out of nothing, see those gaps that our current players don't seem to be able to see when we play those pesky bus parking teams (and they'll become more frequent as time goes by).
I wouldn't even think twice, if we had the slightest chance of getting him which, thanks to his salary, is massively unlikely. I just think if we applied a little bit of common sense & thought to ourselves, hmm, Chadli, Carroll, Mason or Mata?
Is that really such a difficult decision?
Syn_13
Fly On, Little Wing
- Jul 17, 2008
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I'm sure he recently gave an interview in which he said that footballers are paid way too much, and that he didn't like how money focused the game has become. Of course, he could've been full of shit, or misquoted, but it makes me wonder whether he'd be happy to take a pay cut. Some players do it to guarantee playing time. We'd offer him good wages, nothing like what he'd be on at United, but he may be happy with it. *awaits optimistic ratings*
dagraham
Well-Known Member
- Sep 20, 2005
- 19,155
- 46,152
Yeah I don't buy the argument he's not a Poch player. Eriksen was hardly what you would describe as a Poch player either.
Mourinho got rid because he had a load of options in that position.
Shadydan
Well-Known Member
- Jul 7, 2012
- 38,247
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Eriksen has considerably changed his game and he is still maturing where as Mata is in his peak, he's not going to suddenly change his game under a new manager, he's not going to pick up that burst of acceleration or high pressing, defensive mindset needed to play in this system and for the money we will pay him you'd want a ready made player to come in and have an affect on the team not a player we try to re-train.
I like the pressing, I really do. But we need to chill out with it for a bit. Cant always use it every game all game. I know everyone refuses to face it, but there is just too much evidence in Poch's past to ignore it and give excuses. His teams always fall off toward the end of the year. The high pressing system takes alot out of you when you do it all season and its the only way you play as the manager apparently knows nothing else. Our losing Dembele and Alli is just a convenient excuse for those here but reality is, we were very shit vs WBA and Chelsea also.
*cue all your hate and dislikes.
KeithStone
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2013
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I think Mata is a wonderful player - naturally gifted, two footed and perhaps most importantly of all, a proven winner. Looks like Everton have offered 22 million which probably prices us out of it, but look at this quote from before he joined United:
"For example, I've trained a lot on my right foot, to make it better. I've tried to improve – defending, attacking, pressing, trying to think before a game, to be more clever, do something before the defender can think of it, to become a better player. That makes me feel good, that hunger to improve in every way."
If he came with that attitude, he'd be wonderful for us.
"For example, I've trained a lot on my right foot, to make it better. I've tried to improve – defending, attacking, pressing, trying to think before a game, to be more clever, do something before the defender can think of it, to become a better player. That makes me feel good, that hunger to improve in every way."
If he came with that attitude, he'd be wonderful for us.
spurs9
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
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We only fell off for the last 4 games this season and the 2 games before that were 2 of our best performances all season (3-0 v Man Utd & 4-0 v Stoke). Last season we won our last 2 games and even though we lost the 2 before that, 1 of those was a 1-0 loss v City and the other we had Chirirches and Fazio as CBs.
In Poch's only full season at Southampton, they won 2 drew 2 in their last 4 games.
If you look at Poch's 3 full season in the EPL, whilst there seems to be a pattern with the 2 seasons with us, with us starting and finishing worse than the middle of the season, the opposite is true when he was at Southampton.
13/14
1st 1/4 - Won 5, Drew 3, Lost 1. 2nd 1/4 - Won 2, Drew 3, Lost 5. 3rd 1/4 - Won 3, Drew 3, Lost 3. 4th 1/4 - Won 5, Drew 2, Lost 3.
14/15
1st 1/4 - Won 3, Drew 2, Lost 4. 2nd 1/4 - Won 6, Drew 2, Lost 2. 3rd 1/4 - Won 6, Drew 1, Lost 2. 4th 1/4 - Won 4, Drew 2, Lost 4.
15/16
1st 1/4 - Won 3, Drew 5, Lost 1. 2nd 1/4 - Won 6, Drew 3, Lost 1. 3rd 1/4 - Won 6, Drew 1, Lost 2. 4th 1/4 - Won 4, Drew 4, Lost 2.
The Scarecrow
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2013
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One of my favourite players outside of Spurs. Would love it if we signed him.
stevenqoz
Well-Known Member
- Apr 10, 2006
- 2,776
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An interesting one. I wasn't particularly a fan of Van der Vaart's athletic ability when I saw him but he undoubtedly added to our squad's range and options back then. I see Mata a bit like this...he would add experience and subtlety to our young group if available
FreddieYid
Well-Known Member
- Aug 1, 2011
- 1,369
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Not a typical Poch player, but I'd certainly take him. Offers something different, and has a touch of class.
Mata is too good for Everton, maybe he will go to Arsenal
garryparkerschest
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2012
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being a Chelsea legend, would he actually come to Tottenham?
tiger666
Large Member
- Jan 4, 2005
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Would hardly say he was a legend. I imagine, like any other footballer, that he'd happily go anywhere that pays and plays him enough. All this notion of rivalry is very overplayed by fans.
Everlasting Seconds
Well-Known Member
- Jan 9, 2014
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I think we may have a bit distorted view on some of our players in the senior squad if we really think that Mata would not be a great signing or not be a "Pochettino player".
garryparkerschest
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2012
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Any player in the winning Champions League team and being their POTY in the same season deserves legendary status.
I know they would at Tottenham.
After saying that, you may be right on the importance of rivalry in the modern player.
