Pozo

[Neville Kneville]

I'm really not sure what some people expect from an 18 year old kid coming on in a game like that. Everton are a big physical side and whilst Pozo may not have ran them ragged as some seem to think he should have done he occupied their back line to the point that none of them could step out and provide an extra man in midfield. He was excellent in that sense and is without doubt one for the future.

And just how well did seasoned internationals like Lukaku, and Meralis perform? Pozo should've buried that chance, but for a good save from Howard, we would all be singing a different tune.
He now knows the level he must aspire to, and giving youth a chance when we can will give other youngsters the belief that they can make that jump.

Nothing wrong with Pozo's finish imo. Did exactly what Aguero or Dzeko would have tried to do. Would have liked to see him on the end of the one Milner missed.

His job yesterday was mainly occupying space until Dzeko came on. He had little chance of making an impact against defenders of that size when pushed right up against them. Worked hard & made the best of a very difficult job. Would be a very different animal if allowed to drop deeper & get on the ball.

 

[dobobobo]

I think Pozo's performance shows the reason why not many youngsters get given a game for the first team. The gap between the EDS and the first team is far too big. Its perfectly understandable though as it would be impossible to expect an 18 year old to replace Sergio. However it highlights just how important the loan system is going to be for us.

Like others have pointed out, there seemed to be a lack of trust from team mates and if I'm being honest it was like playing with 10 men. There was no outlet up front. What I will say though, and it gives me great hope that Pozo will make it at the top level is that many strikers have games where they do next to nothing all game and then score. The chance we had was very unlucky and great movement from the lad.

Hopefully he can get a loan to a Spanish team next season where he can get some first team football under his belt.

Wheras if they stuck David Silva up against Distin & Jagielka on his own, & hit high balls up for him to head, he would play a blinder.

Hows about we let Pozo get used to the Premier Leage playing in his own position for a few games before deciding what he can & can't do at that level ?

Because he is clearly not ready for the first team yet. He's 18 and I doubt anyone thinks he's ready yet.

If he's playing for the first team we have to judge him by first team standards regardless of his age.

Then how is he going to learn?

Another lets slag of something in life before it gets a chance.

I'm out.

Well played Pozo!

 

[moomba]

I thought he did a decent job for us. Clearly going to struggle physically, but we didnt really play to his strengths. Happy enough for kids like him to get game time, we'll benefit from it long term.

 

[daztrueblue91]

Wheras if they stuck David Silva up against Distin & Jagielka on his own, & hit high balls up for him to head, he would play a blinder.

Hows about we let Pozo get used to the Premier Leage playing in his own position for a few games before deciding what he can & can't do at that level ?

Because he is clearly not ready for the first team yet. He's 18 and I doubt anyone thinks he's ready yet.

If he's playing for the first team we have to judge him by first team standards regardless of his age.

Then how is he going to learn?

Another lets slag of something in life before it gets a chance.

I'm out.

Well played Pozo!

Your an extremely sensitive person if you class saying an 18 year old isn't ready for the City first team as slagging someone off.

Did he have a good game for an 18 year old? Yes he did

Did he have a good game as a first team player? Not really

All his performance did was highlight the increasing gap between the EDS and the first team. And whilst I do think he has a great future ahead of him, it'll be at least another 3 years before he'll be ready for our first team.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I think Pozo's performance shows the reason why not many youngsters get given a game for the first team. The gap between the EDS and the first team is far too big. Its perfectly understandable though as it would be impossible to expect an 18 year old to replace Sergio. However it highlights just how important the loan system is going to be for us.

Like others have pointed out, there seemed to be a lack of trust from team mates and if I'm being honest it was like playing with 10 men. There was no outlet up front. What I will say though, and it gives me great hope that Pozo will make it at the top level is that many strikers have games where they do next to nothing all game and then score. The chance we had was very unlucky and great movement from the lad.

Hopefully he can get a loan to a Spanish team next season where he can get some first team football under his belt.

Wheras if they stuck David Silva up against Distin & Jagielka on his own, & hit high balls up for him to head, he would play a blinder.

Hows about we let Pozo get used to the Premier Leage playing in his own position for a few games before deciding what he can & can't do at that level ?

Because he is clearly not ready for the first team yet. He's 18 and I doubt anyone thinks he's ready yet.

If he's playing for the first team we have to judge him by first team standards regardless of his age.

He's not ready to be a first choice for the first team yet no, but there's no reason he shouldn't get off the bench in some games playing behind a striker, now that he's had a taste of it.

I doubt he will ever be able to do the kind of job asked of him v Everton at a high standard, it's not how he plays football. He was there purely in an emergency & he got on with it. I recon if you stick him next to Silva behind a striker a few times, he will soon look ptetty close to first team level, perhaps even shock a few people. He is a very talented player.

 

[dobobobo]

Wheras if they stuck David Silva up against Distin & Jagielka on his own, & hit high balls up for him to head, he would play a blinder.

Hows about we let Pozo get used to the Premier Leage playing in his own position for a few games before deciding what he can & can't do at that level ?

Because he is clearly not ready for the first team yet. He's 18 and I doubt anyone thinks he's ready yet.

If he's playing for the first team we have to judge him by first team standards regardless of his age.

He's not ready to be a first choice for the first team yet no, but there's no reason he shouldn't get off the bench in some games playing behind a striker, now that he's had a taste of it.

I doubt he will ever be able to do the kind of job asked of him v Everton at a high standard, it's not how he plays football. He was there purely in an emergency & he got on with it. I recon if you stick him next to Silva behind a striker a few times, he will soon look ptetty close to first team level, perhaps even shock a few people. He is a very talented player.

This^^^

 

[Centurions]

Because he is clearly not ready for the first team yet. He's 18 and I doubt anyone thinks he's ready yet.

If he's playing for the first team we have to judge him by first team standards regardless of his age.

He's not ready to be a first choice for the first team yet no, but there's no reason he shouldn't get off the bench in some games playing behind a striker, now that he's had a taste of it.

I doubt he will ever be able to do the kind of job asked of him v Everton at a high standard, it's not how he plays football. He was there purely in an emergency & he got on with it. I recon if you stick him next to Silva behind a striker a few times, he will soon look ptetty close to first team level, perhaps even shock a few people. He is a very talented player.

This^^^

And a +1 from me too.

 

[waspish]

He did the job he was asked to do really well if he scored that chance it would of been a complete striker role

 

[Proelia]

Small and no pace definitely not a striker

 

[sam-caddick]

He was 18 and leading our line in only his 2nd league appearance against a very physical Everton side, I thought it was very harsh for him to at least not had a partner up top with him to help him out so fair play to him!

Personally from watching him in the EDS, I don't think he will make it as a striker, rather instead I think he is another Juan Mata type player and will become a goalscoring number ten.

 

[Kompany is King]

Pozo played well, showed good movement & nearly scored. The experience will have done him a world of good & also gives encouragement to other youngsters at the club.

 

[CAPTAINKIPPAX]

I saw a lot yesterday in this kid to suggest he's going to be a very good player wasn't afraid to get involved his movement and positioning off the ball looked intelligent didn't look out of place to me given a few more sub introductions to get the feel of the pace of the premiership think we may have a very promising young addition to our squad - well played young man.

 

[sam-caddick]

I think Lopes got a loan to Lille because he got long periods of game time against West Ham in the League Cup and impressed.

If Pozo can do the same then hopefully a similar level club will come in for him, which is better than sending him out to the Championship or below.

We should be aiming to get top flight loan deals for all of our best youngsters.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

I saw a lot yesterday in this kid to suggest he's going to be a very good player wasn't afraid to get involved his movement and positioning off the ball looked intelligent didn't look out of place to me given a few more sub introductions to get the feel of the pace of the premiership think we may have a very promising young addition to our squad - well played young man.

Well said Skipper.

Theres some fucking idiots on this thread.

 

[MJ]

Clearly has a lot of potential, maybe in a different position, but should not be getting in our first team right now, he is not ready for the pace or physicality of the league. However, if the work permit can be sorted out soon, the Nigerian kid should be getting these kinds of opportunities; every opportunity he got in preseason he looked the part.

 

[ZZmaestro]

One thing strikes out : he needs to put on some weight on his frame to reach the next level.

Otherwise, i think he has the complete package to become a decent supporting striker :
good first touch ( miles better than Edin imho ), quick mindset and pace, decent ball skills.

With several late subs, he will improve game after game.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Clearly has a lot of potential, maybe in a different position, but should not be getting in our first team right now, he is not ready for the pace or physicality of the league. However, if the work permit can be sorted out soon, the Nigerian kid should be getting these kinds of opportunities; every opportunity he got in preseason he looked the part.

Rubbish,he handled himself very well and the continued exposure will benefit him enormously.

 

[IWasHere]

One thing strikes out : he needs to put on some weight on his frame to reach the next level.

Otherwise, i think he has the complete package to become a decent supporting striker :
good first touch ( miles better than Edin imho ), quick mindset and pace, decent ball skills.

With several late subs, he will improve game after game.

Jesus Christ

 

[kenzie115]

Don't think he's made to play the lone striker role, certainly not in the premier league. Aguero's small but he's also incredibly strong. Pozo lacks strength and against physical centre halves like Distin and Jagielka will struggle to hold the ball up. However, played just off a main striker, e.g. Dzeko, he could prove to be a fantastic addition to the first team squad. His movement and work rate were excellent, he'd certainly create space for whoever else he was playing alongside, and space is something Dzeko needs.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Pozo was born the day before Kinkladze's famous goal against Southampton.

I don't know whether he'll make it, but suddenly I feel very old.