Portsmouth boss' message to Haji Mnoga as teenage powerhouse makes mark on rivals

Kenny Jackett has promised not to take tough-tackling physicality out of Haji Mnoga’s game.
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The Pompey boss wants the exciting homegrown prospect to carry on his forceful play, despite the potential for him to fall foul of referees.

Mnoga has been earning plenty of plaudits, as the 18-year-old’s emergence continues this season.

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There’s been plenty of example of Mnoga’s whole-hearted play since emerging, and Jackett is aware of the teenager taking that determination too far.

But with strength and power his main attributes, the Pompey boss doesn’t want to take the fire out of the academy graduate’s approach.

Jackett said: ‘I’ve been pleased with Haji - very pleased.

Haji Mnoga. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com)Haji Mnoga. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com)
Haji Mnoga. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com)

‘In terms of the tackle, you’re looking at those situations.

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‘We had one the week before where Darren Pratley has gone through late on Callum Johnson, and the ref decided not to send Darren off. It was similar with Haji.

‘You do understand sometimes in the modern game these can be interpreted different ways, but also you have to have committed defenders. It’s a balance.

‘You can’t be too passive as a defender and you have to be competitive. It’s about getting the balance of the two.

Haji Mnoga makes a tackle against Peterborough last season. Picture: Joe PeplerHaji Mnoga makes a tackle against Peterborough last season. Picture: Joe Pepler
Haji Mnoga makes a tackle against Peterborough last season. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘It’s no good going over the top and getting sent off all the time, but it’s not good either if your defenders are scared to make a challenge or a block.

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‘For Haji, he has that power and in those situations his timing has to be 100 per cent.

His game is his power, although he’s 18. There’s not many if any stronger than him in our group.

‘He has a lot of natural power and he has to try to use that when he brings the ball out of defence and goes down the line.

‘He got in at Ipswich that way and no one was catching him. He has that type of power.

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‘Similarly, as a defender in one v one situations he wants to win the ball. They are good attributes to have.’

Jackett explained he’s had talks with Mnoga about the nature of his game eight matches into his Pompey senior career.

There has been specific discussion about the former Trafalgar School pupil’s tackling, but the Blues boss doesn’t feel it’s necessary to focus on that area too much.

Jackett added: ‘I will always talk to him about his timing and that judgement, but I don’t want to take away that natural power and aggression.

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‘We have spoken about all aspects of his game and professionalism.

‘They are things which get mentioned but they aren’t harboured on. They don’t need to be bigger than they are.

‘We make it a rounded assessment of his overall play and professionalism.’

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