The lessons Haji Mnoga has to learn as Portsmouth emergence continues

Haji Mnoga has to quickly add some control to his game to stop himself falling foul of referees.
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That’s the view of Pompey writer, Jordan Cross, as the exciting Blues prospect continues his football education.

Mnoga is making rapid strides as arguably the most promising of the emerging talents at Fratton Park.

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But Cross believes the 18-year-old has been over-eager to make an impression at times.

And he says in the latest Pompey Talk, which you can download HERE, that could easily have seen the hulking young physical presence dismissed at Ipswich last weekend.

He said: ‘There’s enough in Haji’s game to suggest he’s got a lot to learn in terms of maturity yet.

‘We saw that again at Ipswich at the weekend. It wasn’t quite apparent at the time, but replays showed it could have been a red card (for a second-half challenge).

Haji Mnoga. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty ImagesHaji Mnoga. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Haji Mnoga. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
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‘We’ve seen Haji now on a number of occasions that he will go thundering into tackles.

‘The fans like it, but in this day and age there will be repercussions for that kind of conduct.’

Mnoga has now made eight senior appearances and looked comfortable at first-team level, leading to calls from fans to see more of him.

But chief sports writer, Neil Allen, highlighted that may have to wait for more of a run in the side with his long-term future in the middle of defence.

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He said: ‘It’s an interesting one with Haji, because they see him in the future as a centre-half.

‘He’s basically a defensive right-back and he needs to develop his attacking play.

‘Most of his attacking play is down to thundering into people and trying to keep possession of the ball.

‘He’s got to learn that, but he will be a centre-half.

‘It’s all very well saying get Haji in at right-back but if he’s going to be centre-half one day would you put Raggett at right-back?

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‘That (role) is not his strength, whereas Callum Johnson is an attacking right-back in this league and Pompey have just recruited him.

‘People say get Haji in the team, but Pompey have just spent money on someone in that position

‘Haji will need to wait for his chance, but he’s clearly ahead of (James) Bolton.’

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