Sports Forum
12 Mar '08 17:27Just wondering what people`s opinions are on Owen Hargreaves?
L know he has won domestic and european titles in Munich and that he was one of the best english players at the world cup. Furthermore, it`s his first season at Man U...
However, I have watched him closely and admittedly he has a decent free kick. Aside from that what does he do?
He rarely plays a forward pass, rarely makes himself available to receive ball after making a pass, looks cumbersome in possession, always takes an extra touch than necessary and just seems to cover a lot of ground without actually making tackles.
Perhaps Im being harsh and he just needs time to settle..........
12 Mar '08 18:04Originally posted by Doyle78
I think you are being harsh, although admittedly this season has been a poor one for him.
Just wondering what people`s opinions are on Owen Hargreaves?
L know he has won domestic and european titles in Munich and that he was one of the best english players at the world cup. Furthermore, it`s his first season at Man U...
However, I have watched him closely and admittedly he has a decent free kick. Aside from that what does he do?
He rare ...[text shortened]... ut actually making tackles.
Perhaps Im being harsh and he just needs time to settle..........
He's superb at breaking up play in front of the back 4, about as good as Mascherano at that. Even if he doesn't make the first tackle, he is generally in the right place to pick up any loose ball.
He closes down midfield players as fast as Gattuso., preventing opposition playmakers from playing their normal game.
He's only behind Evra and Ronaldo in terms of pace in the OT squad.
He's got a superb engine and can run all day.
He's got a great freekick from 18 yards (which is where Ronaldo's style is generally ineffective)
What you consider "cumberson in possession", I'd consider calm under pressure.
You think he "rarely makes himself available", but again I disagree with you. He is always available in his position in front of the back 4. I consider the fact that he doesn't make many forward runs to be more about discipline as opposed to lack of ability. Remember Fergie booted Ince out of the club after he was instructed to only play defensively against Barcelona, but Ince insisted on making forward runs. United got beaten 4-0 and Ince's time at OT was over.
I think his passing can be superb as well, with either left or right foot. Admittedly, we haven't seen much of it this season, but I honestly feel he can be a key United player in the years to come.
Even this season, his experience may prove to be vital as we get into May, and "hopefully" a few huge games.
D- 12 Mar '08 18:55
Originally posted by Doyle78
Isn't this Ray Wilkins?
He rarely plays a forward pass, rarely makes himself available to receive ball after making a pass, looks cumbersome in possession, always takes an extra touch than necessary and just seems to cover a lot of ground without actually making tackles.
Perhaps Im being harsh and he just needs time to settle..........[/b]
- 12 Mar '08 18:58
nk he "rarely makes himself available", but again I disagree with you. He is always availaHe's superb at breaking up play in front of the back 4, about as good as Mascherano at that. Even if he doesn't make the first tackle, he is generally in the right place to pick up any loose ball.
He's got a superb engine and can run all day..............I acknowledged this but what does that prove? Robbie Savage runs all day.
He closes down midfield players as fast as Gattuso., preventing opposition playmakers from playing their ...[text shortened]... may prove to be vital as we get into May, and "hopefully" a few huge games.
D[/b]
He's got a great freekick from 18 yards..........I mentioned this fact.
"rarely makes himself available", but again I disagree with you. He is always available. He's superb at breaking up play in front of the back 4.......I have seen him live a few times lately and he is in front of the back 4, ready to cover, make tackles etc. BUT when the back four have the ball he is hider.
Im not one for criticising Man U players, these are just my observations, I hope for 17m pounds that I am wrong. 
- 12 Mar '08 21:22 / 1 edit
Originally posted by Palynka
Last season united had all attacking midfield players and the addition of Nani and Anderson didn't really help so they needed someone for that position.
Hargreaves is a decent player, but nothing to shout home about.
The thing is that United really needed a player for that position. In that sense, although the price was high, he brings a very good added value to them.
However last season United still managed the least goals conceded in the Premiership ( so did they really need a defensive player ).
Maybe yes maybe no. Any thoughts??? - 13 Mar '08 00:21
Originally posted by jacko13
Definitely!
However last season United still managed the least goals conceded in the Premiership ( so did they really need a defensive player ).
Maybe yes maybe no. Any thoughts???
By having a dedicated holding man, then the defensive duties of the attaking players can be reduced, so they can fully express themselves offensively. In league games, United like to play with 4 very attacking players (Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Giggs/Nani).
Paul Scholes can't tackle, so it also allows him to concentrate on the things that he is brilliant at.
I also don't think Ferguson would have been too aware of the supreme ball winning skills that Anderson possesses when he decided he needed Hargreaves. Only Mascherano comes close to Anderson's ability to cleanly win a ball. Anderson had normally played in a more offensive position at Porto and Gremio. Palynka would know more about that than I.
I also don't think Carrick was effective enough last season in the role. Carrick can be sometimes brilliant with his range of passing, but lacks real tackling ability. He relies on excellent positions for interceptions mostly in defense.
D - 13 Mar '08 10:05It seems all top teams go for a midfield enforcer who sits in front of back four. Are there no complete midfielders any more that can do both? Tackle, cover, attack, pass etc.? e.g Keane, Viera, Petit
I think Fabregas, Deco, Gerrard, Iniesta and Pirlo are probably the most complete midfielders at the moment
To paraphrase Irish soccer pundit John Giles.........Hargreaves is half a midfield player and Carrick is the same...if you moulded them together you would have a proper midfield player. - 17 Mar '08 23:18Hes pretty good, although i think that Man U used too much on him. He is not worth 17mil pounds... Man U could have nought Ever Banega, or another youngster such as Gago, who are younger, and have endless potential, and are already great players...
An excellent player though i have to say - 19 Mar '08 10:53How about instead of having all these different threads on certain players we just start a new one called "Every Manchester United Player In History Is Overrated"
Every time a Man Utd player is mentioned be it Rooney, Ferdinand, Hargreaves etc we get the same old rubbish, "over hyped", "not as good as everyone say he is... "
Man Utd haters obviously cant see pass their noses, take at look at the league table. - 19 Mar '08 12:26
Originally posted by Virtue76
as opposed to every MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER BEING THE 'BEST PLAYER' IN THE WORD...posts from all man u lovers?
How about instead of having all these different threads on certain players we just start a new one called "Every Manchester United Player In History Is Overrated"
Every time a Man Utd player is mentioned be it Rooney, Ferdinand, Hargreaves etc we get the same old rubbish, "over hyped", "not as good as everyone say he is... "
Man Utd haters obviously cant see pass their noses, take at look at the league table.