I could be wrong… again.. but my take on Pogba

[Peter]

Wouldn't disagree, 7. Never liked the chap. Had some sympathy with him over the nightmare family stuff but very little with this drugs thing

He is a great example of the fact that not every footballer is as in love with the game as you might expect. I am sure he enjoys it, but the very best players have a focus and dedication that I would guess few of us are capable of in our own jobs

When he was on it, he was amazing. It just didn't happen often enough.

I find it hard to be too critical of players like this because I know I would be exactly the same

[redgunamo]

He is a great example of the fact that not every footballer is as in love with the game as you might expect. I am sure he enjoys it, but the very best players have a focus and dedication that I would guess few of us are capable of in our own jobs

When he was on it, he was amazing. It just didn't happen often enough.

I find it hard to be too critical of players like this because I know I would be exactly the same

No real evidence of that, the dedication/focus-thing, I mean: He has had an excellent career.

[Peter]

No real evidence of that, the dedication/focus-thing, I mean: He has had an excellent career.

I am drawing that conclusion from the alarming inconsistency in his performances. At his best he was brilliant, unplayable. But it was so rarely seen.

And I am not really having a go at him. The vast majority of players don't have the obsessive gene of a Roy Keane or a Ronaldo.

Put it this way- he had far more talent than Vieira but I wouldn't have swapped Vieira for three of him.

[PSRB]

I am drawing that conclusion from the alarming inconsistency in his performances. At his best he was brilliant, unplayable. But it was so rarely seen.

And I am not really having a go at him. The vast majority of players don't have the obsessive gene of a Roy Keane or a Ronaldo.

Put it this way- he had far more talent than Vieira but I wouldn't have swapped Vieira for three of him.

He was brilliant for France and Juve, less so at United

[Luis Anaconda]

I am drawing that conclusion from the alarming inconsistency in his performances. At his best he was brilliant, unplayable. But it was so rarely seen.

And I am not really having a go at him. The vast majority of players don't have the obsessive gene of a Roy Keane or a Ronaldo.

Put it this way- he had far more talent than Vieira but I wouldn't have swapped Vieira for three of him.

Look at the Lampard Gerrard thing. (I'll get stick for this...) Lampard was a decent player who realised close to 100% of his talent (which is unusual), Gerrard was a guy who had spectacular moments or influence in big games but never came close to realising all of his (and helped by an indulgent fan base who thought the sun shone out his Arse). I know which one I would prefer

[Peter]

Look at the Lampard Gerrard thing. (I'll get stick for this...) Lampard was a decent player who realised close to 100% of his talent (which is unusual), Gerrard was a guy who had spectacular moments or influence in big games but never came close to realising all of his (and helped by an indulgent fan base who thought the sun shone out his Arse). I know which one I would prefer

Same here. Neither of them!

Lampard wasn't a proper midfielder in my book. Liked to ponce around up field while others did his work for him. Plenty of goals, to be fair. Gerrard, good as he was, never really nailed the deep possession side of being a central midfielder.

I've had plenty of stick over the years for my view on these two players but I don't care. There is no real mystery as to why they never worked well together for England. Both too selfish with similar flaws.

[redgunamo]

I am drawing that conclusion from the alarming inconsistency in his performances. At his best he was brilliant, unplayable. But it was so rarely seen.

And I am not really having a go at him. The vast majority of players don't have the obsessive gene of a Roy Keane or a Ronaldo.

Put it this way- he had far more talent than Vieira but I wouldn't have swapped Vieira for three of him.

Simply that he's played over 400 games for two great clubs and he's also won the World Cup. Probably doesn't justify his exaggerated public profile, but still.

"Terrific" may've been a bit strong. "Decent".