One of my favourite elements of Scholes' game was his slide tackles. Absolutely terrible, but became a novelty.

@runningsuperska

9 ай бұрын

He wouldn't last a game with VAR

@shahzadirani

8 ай бұрын

He intentionally went in rough on the opponent, and made it seem like he was awkward at tackling to avoid getting a yellow card. Scholes was the master of the dark arts.

@Chu-vg2yu

7 ай бұрын

Hopeless sliding

This is pretty good. Usual analysts ignore the negative aspects and highlight the positive aspects. This is well balanced.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks bud - the aim is to always present the full facts and be as blunt and truthful as possible even if people don’t want to hear it. Old players tend to get glorified even if it isn’t necessarily a true reflection of their standing in the game at the time.

@vanlalrommelmsa.9910

3 жыл бұрын

Same first impression here.

@Ultimecea90

3 жыл бұрын

True, this is pretty much unbiased Especially on the so called known fact that Scholes can't defend. Scholes definitely can tackle, but on most occasion, when he fed up He'll blown up and give a nasty venom to his target

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@vanlalrommelmsa.9910 Appreciate it bud 👍

On the subject of Scholes goals and assists - he wasn’t a recognised set piece taker for Manchester United; this being covered by Giggs and Beckham (and latterly Rooney and Ronaldo). As a consequence, you would logically expect him to have few assists than the others mentioned over the course of his career. Still the greatest England midfielder of his generation - more technically adept (and more successful) than both Gerrard and Lampard and a real opportunity missed for the National team.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

That is a fair point but someone like Xavi far outstripped him in terms of assists, and yes Xavi also took free kicks but I am sure he still would have exceeded Scholes in open play assists. Also there was a reason why these players were set piece takers... their ball striking in dead situations was superior. Scholes' ability to bend the ball wasn't as good as his lace technique thus he wasn't relied upon to take set pieces.

@johntipling842

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Completely agree that there were better set piece takers at United at the time - just not sure that there were at Liverpool and Chelsea and the comparison with Lampard and Gerrard (specifically with regard to England) are often made. Great commentary and insight from you, as usual.

@chovekb

2 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Xavi always had 3 attackers in front of him, Scholes only 2, cause of the 4 4 2 wide formation with pure wingers of Fergie!

@KeirBo

9 ай бұрын

​@@PythagorasinBootsXavi played with Messi, Iniesta etc most of his career. I'd have more assists than Scholes if I played with them too

@wiretom

4 ай бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots no , giggs and beckham were better at set pieces but scholes was immense in the air , better bein g in the box , and scholes foun the players that assisted the goals , not an easy job at all

Scholes is one of my favorite midfielders of all time. Since I started playing central midfield, I decided to watch this analysis to help me in my games

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

How old are you Jim? and good luck with your games, Scholes/Xavi are two of my go to reference points when trying to give tips on centre mids!

@strange_perplexed_enigma9052

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots im 25

Liverpool fan here and I can admit that Scholes is the best English player to play in the Premier League era. Wish England had used him better. IMO Beckham leaving his flank killed the English team.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed re: Beckham. I think his fame and weak England managers led to a lot of positional ill-discipline and the lack of an attacking right back and lack of left winger meant England became desperately narrow from a tactical perspective.

@Ultimecea90

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots That's quite true There's a huge pressure from media and fans when Sven have to decide his best team. And for the record, the popularity of Lampard and Gerrard get the better of Scholes and he was ousted to left, albeit the fact that Lampard can play on the left better and it suits him pretty much as he cuts in and scores from left more than mid

@MultiRibrob

3 жыл бұрын

fake liverpool fan begging for some likes

@darrinbeazley4563

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers bro Slippery G was world class his final United game came on and half sent off 90 seconds later. Happy that Pool broke that drought 2020.

@SAB-ex7de

2 жыл бұрын

Beckham and scholes when played together performed lot better for England since they were teammates for their clubs too and England played way better with both of them rather than Gerrard and Lampard playing together.

I watched him live for well over a decade and honestly apart from the odd champions league game when the big boys visited I never saw anyone come close to his reading, vision, control and mastery of the midfield. The art of assisting the assister should not be disregarded. Putting it on a plate from 40 yards for a winger to take the ball on his stronger foot and run into the ball saves so much time for the defence to set itself. Then he'd follow it in and lurk on fhe edge of fhe box for a shot or a darting run into space. Check his goals in the champions league against inter and the like. Absolutely Mad mad player

I was always frightened of Scholes, he was the most dangerous player in that United team. And it was a very good team. Touch, pass, shot. Wonderful footballer. Definitely one of Manchester Uniteds best ever players.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

I remember him being our standout player in the galactico games against Real Madrid. I think he was unfortunate in that his peak came during a period when the likes of Giggs, Beckham and Keane went into decline and Stam left as did Schmeichel. What team do you support?

@zolikingsthorpe7297

7 ай бұрын

For most of the times I didn't like United too much so I was emotionally with their opponent teams in quite big games like UCL playoff games. I can tell you for sure he was the most dangerous United player. Truly frightening! I did not know this then but now i consider him the best English football player ever.

@snoozyweatherboy

2 ай бұрын

​@@PythagorasinBoots Oh i never knew you were a United fan.What a discovery.

This is magnificent. Every step of the way. I could have watched this even if it was 10 hours long. Great work, thoroughly enjoyed. Would love to see a Modric one charting his career from number 10, to inverted winger, to deep-lying playmaker and back to number 10.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Bloody hell great shout - one of my favourite all time centre mids and will definitely add him to the list. My next project is Juan Roman Riquelme!

This is a really lovely video, well done. Just on the assists - the 200 number for Xavi is incorrect, he had 105 assists over his La Liga career (according to FBRef). And while there's a case to be made that Lampard and Gerrard made more riskier passes in the final third, some of that gulf is the result of both taking more set pieces and having more minutes overall too.

This video dispelled the myth that scholes was this Pirlo figure in English football. He was a different player in so many different roles for united and England. Whereas pirlo once converted into a regista by Ancelloti in 2002/03 was the same birtully they same player till he retired. Nonetheless Scholes is still a top 3 midfielder in premiere league history. Patrick Vieira, Yaya Toure, Roy Keane, Alonso, Cesc, Jamie Redknapp please

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Great comment and another thing that needs to be mentioned is that whenever English football produces a player of exceptional creative talent we tend to have no idea how to use them or what their best position is and that wastes so much time in terms of that players tactical development and also means they can’t be used optimally - same thing happened with Hoddle and to an extent Rooney under Fergie. Only Gazza and Charlton seem to have been fortunate to have played under managers who were tactically sophisticated enough to give them the platform to showcase their skills i.e. Charlton played in a 3 man midfield which was ahead of its time in the 1966 World Cup.

@dondamon4669

3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t let this video dispel any myths or even create any. Was very brief and didn’t really get to what Scholes was about as a player and what he brought to the team in terms of controlling the tempo and in doing so winning the game because of that. This just skims the surface

Categorizing Scholes into Regista is spot on. He is a player that dictates the game; direction and tempo, more like Xavi and Pirlo. He distributes the ball to the main attacking threats like Beckham, Giggs, Rooney, etc. He makes late run into the box and often find the space to score, than to assist. His lack of dribbling and physicality makes him less suitable for the no 10 role, something like Ozil, Iniesta, and Cantona had.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

TBF he was a regista during one phase of his career, he wasn't always a regista. Iniesta was not a 10, he was a Mezzala and Cantona was a second striker. Only Ozil was a true 10 out of that list. It was not his lack of physicality which prevented him from being a 10, he did excel as a second striker but more his lack of killer through ball passing. He wasn't much of an assist getter.

@gerrysnatabraja

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots if I remember, Iniesta was a 10 earlier in his career and transitioning to the Mezzala role before his peak. Yes, Cantona was a shadow striker who drops off. Both similar in the way the starts outside the 10 position then come into the 10 to create. Both had that assist getter mindset, so that's why I mentioned them. Maybe the more suitable reference would be James Rodriguez and Riquelme. Both are the classic no 10 type that starts and roam around the hole, the creative fulcrum of the team. I agree, he lacked the killer pass because of his playing style and the creator are often the winger. And, he was damn good at scoring.

@ssss8162

10 ай бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots I remember Paul Scholes making lots of through passes/killer passes, he's one of the few players with that vision. Plus he was a huge goal threat. Giggs developed that vision when he played central in his later years.

Absolute quality content mate. Hope to see more of these

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Next one is on Riquelme... currently in progress.

This analysis should consider Scholes' final 2 seasons for his best play. No, he was not arrogant, but this was actually Scholes at his peak in terms of how he controlled the game and gave his team the best chance to win. His legs had gone, but this meant that he improved his reading of the game and positioning to make up for it. Scholes meant a lot more to that United team than people (Liverpool fans) will ever admit. They haven't won since he left and the closest they have come to replacing him was a motivated Pogba.

Gerrard v Lampard v Scholes? Lets go...Thoughts below!

@HishamR89

3 жыл бұрын

Scholes as a regista Gerrard as an ss/cam and winger Lampard as an advanced 8

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@HishamR89 Hard to disagree with this.

@leekwangtao

3 жыл бұрын

Leadership of Gerard Canon of Lampard Metronome of Scholes

I've watched a phew of these now and do ya no what! Fair play sir. You're really on the ball with all this. Very very good analysis 👏 I really like you and I love the content. Its spot on. Much respect

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary! That means a lot and am glad you are enjoying it. If you haven’t already, please feel free to share!

For up to date and in-depth tactical content such as match analysis, please do check out the following links! WEBSITE ► www.pythagorasinboots.com TWITTER ► twitter.com/pythaginboots INSTAGRAM ► @pythaginboots SUBSCRIBE ► kzread.info/dron/orF.html...

@shabanirose4598

3 жыл бұрын

Do Gerrard next

Great video and very in-depth analysis. Scholes vs Gerrard vs Lampard vs Robson vs Hoddle vs Gazza. How would you rank these players?

Mate you're the only analyst/pundit/person on the internet, who I've heard being brave enough to correctly criticise Beckham's play for England! He should have stayed wide right and let the midfielders do the dictating while he concentrated on crossing and supporting Gary Neville. It was schoolboy tactics at times. Must have been so easy to defend against. It was like you weren't allowed to say anything negative about Saint David at the time. Eriksson seemed to actually encourage Beckham to play in the centre. It was painful to watch because all he did was take up all the space Gerrard and Scholes, and also Joe Cole, needed to play their games. There were times watching England play at that time, with the level of skill and talent we could put on the pitch, you had to wonder how badly Eriksson had to fuck up before people finally realised he was a useless coach. Never mind Keegan, who was even worse.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate that Tom - I think Becks was a world class player but his ego post 2001 Greece Goal became out of control and he began to lose tactical discipline and affect his team mates in a negative sense as a consequence, especially in the national set up.

@tomchamberlain4329

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots I was always debating with my dad about it, we could never agree if it was an ego thing on Beckham's part or just terrible coaching. Either way it meant playing against England was predictable and easy

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@tomchamberlain4329 it was both. Beckham ego grew terribly post Greece and was one of the reasons Fergie lost his rag and wanted him out. So at club level he got called out for it but at international level Sven just spoilt him rotten and it would prove costly in the end as the midfield became a battleground of egos with Sven not strong enough to lay down some solid fundamentals of how a midfield should function. So what should have been arguable the world’s best midfield became mediocre and the reason we flopped at business end. Compare that to how Spain handled their midfield embarrassment of riches in 2008-2012.

@ishmaelforester9825

3 жыл бұрын

To be fair to beckham he was a decent player.

@ishmaelforester9825

3 жыл бұрын

I mean I would have struggled to drop beckham. He was basically powerful and talented. I'd have picked him.

Would love to see you do one on Rooney. All the vids and documentaries just talk all about him having the heart of a lion 🦁 Rooney and Owen were pretty much the only direct English forwards that would stand defenders up and run at them. He lost that from 2012 onwards, but his technique deserves appreciation regardless

one of the most underrated english footballers to ever play the game i think Milner should be talked about on here considering his versatility.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Think that is a job for Waz to dicuss.. he's our resident Liverpool fan! Very underrated player and had a brilliant stint at Villa.

@MrThedonhead

3 жыл бұрын

Are you comparing Milner to Scholes??

@dj_trancelucent5487

3 жыл бұрын

@@MrThedonhead lol i was about to ask the same thing

@danielhanlon7498

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed, right up til you said Milner.

@ahmetgeril8233

Жыл бұрын

I don't know, it is no smart to compare players who play in a different position right.

Statistics are a problem without context. There are players that dominate in the numbers and outside the numbers. Scholes in the playmakers' department is the latter. Creative players like a Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Becks and Cantona take up most assist numbers and chances created because United were more of a wide attacking team unlike a Barca which was central. On a per game status he is way better than Stevie and Frank and with the eye test he looks much better. 169 goals without being the designated set piece taker from midfield is incredible and not talked about enough. Not taking set pieces affected the assist number too. Efficiency wise Scholes kills it and that is why a lot of his peers praised him. Great video man and my video suggestion would be on Zico, probably one of the most underrated all time greats.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

I agree but I disagree that in terms of eye test Scholes was the better killer passér in the final third. Could have execute the more silkier killer pass sure but game in game out Lampard was the more effective killer passer in terms of on goal situations as was Gerrard (who can forget his telepathic relationship with Torres as an example of this). Again as you’ve mentioned United preferred to go out wide and that would have affected the assist stats but sometimes certain players just aren’t as penetrative with their final third passes - Iniesta is an example of this compared to Xavi. In theory Iniesta should have more assists but Xavi was just better at executing that killer pass whereas Iniesta was more likely to continuously hit those progressive passes which break lines of midfield defence and harder to pick up statistically. Scholes reminds me of that - not someone whose value you can pick up through sheer stats but you can feel that he’s a overall much better passer in midfield than Lampard Gerrard in that if under pressure he’s much more likely to wriggle out and get a forward pass going without hitting Hollywood’s or going backwards. Nevertheless I would say in terms of pure penetrative assist type passing in final third, he would be third for me but in terms of key passes he would be alongside Gerrard with Lampard third and in terms of general progressive passing from deeper areas he would be ahead by a mile based on quality of work.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Zico a great shout!

I started watching football because of Scholes. Manchester Utd probably added millions of fans just because of him

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Do you have any recommendations for any other videos you would like to see?

@SuperCabrito14

8 ай бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Javier Hernandez

Great video! Just a couple of details wrong Cantona was suspended during the 94/95 season and returned 2 months into the 95/96 season. He retired at the end of 96/97 season

love these nostalgia videos! Hope you end up creating some more over the summer.

Thank you. I enjoyed this . I’m off to check ur other vids

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed Andrew! Let me know your own thoughts on how you rated him or any tactical opinions you may have. Also is there any content you would like to see in the future?

@garysmallwoodgs

3 жыл бұрын

Mee too 👍🇬🇧

That goal versus Blackburn is just pre artistry

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed.. vital one it was too!

Keep up the good work, love your take on the game and truly trust it

@PythagorasinBoots

10 ай бұрын

Thanks Deon

you deserve much more credits for these works

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jithin - appreciate that!

This is a really good video, well thought out and all well informed points about his strength and weaknesses I think his long passing was the most consistent and he very rarely ever made a wayward pass but he didn’t make as many killer passes like other playmakers over the course of his career

Fantastic analysis 👏

Great analysis

Scholes is not Pogba but when he play he is like a manager just like Xavi, they can control the flow of the game without dribbling, scoring or shooting, they can shoot given opportunity but when they are in the game there is always control depending on opponents

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Agree with all that. Players like this I call 'regista's' - game controlling central midfielders.

@HkFinn83

Жыл бұрын

Yeh he’s nothing like Pogba, he was a far better player.

@Dotsetc

5 ай бұрын

@@HkFinn83Lets not down play Pogba too much. Was quite unlucky with injuries and made a horrible choice going back to United(shouldve went to Madrid) to be the best player on a bad team which turned to everybody scapegoating him, whereas I never understood why because with him no matter how bad the squad was, they were always winning at the start, till Pogba went out injured and United dropped off immensely to a point of no return even with Pogba. Look at how Pogba was for France. Since he isnt there, Griezmann has to pull more weight and even though he's great at it, they just miss the deep playmaking and the extreme creativity of Pogba when the games are close. And yes I know how good Scholes was, obviously highly underrated and it says everything that players such as Xavi, Zidane and Guardiola call him the best. However Pogba was up there talentwise. Like I saif mostly injuries and a lack of motivation due to both injuries and playing year in year out for a bad squad with way too much expectations.

IMO Scholes and the English team suffered from the rigged 4-4-2 structure. With the likes of Gerrard and Lampard coming into the team they had the perfect opportunity to play a 4-3-3, with Scholes and Gerrard playing the double pivot and allowed to go forward when they want and Lampard playing in that typical No.10 role. The reason, IMO, for Becks coming in off the wing is because as a winger he was expected to just stay on the side and cross the ball in with the occasional shot. In the 4-3-3 system, he would've been able to play more as a left forward and thus get more of the ball and opportunities whilst also retaining the teams' width thus allowing for the team to not overload the midfield and unman the right side. This would have also meant that the attacks of the English side would have been more fluid and harder to counter rather than the rigged side and playstyle that it was. Scholes in the United side suffered because he wasn't someone who wanted to be in the lime light, with the likes of Ronaldo, Beckham, Rooney etc in the side who as forwards were more stylish and striking than he was he would've had to make a show in order to be noticed more often and that wasn't the way that he played nor would it have suited him or the team in either the short or long run. I think his potential was fulfilled in the United side but not in the England side due to the above reasons. What do you think? Did rigidity kill Scholes' England career prospects?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Rigidity did kill off his England career prospects to some degree but I have to disagree with the solutions proposed. Scholes and Gerrard as a double pivot lacks balance. Neither can defend properly, and there would be a total lack of discipline in that lineup. It worked in 2001 against a poor German side because Scholes was fitter, younger and Gerrard was just breaking through with little ego and eager to please. Therefore they could execute the box to box duo fairly well but by 2004 - Scholes is beginning to lose his work rate and Gerrard was becoming more of an attacking mid, so he would not have had the same defensive focus. But overall it may have proven better than the diamond utilised. For me Hargreaves needed to start to give the side balance off the ball. Beckham as a left forward? he could only play on the right side and I just think he needed a really talented winger on the other side, to give the team more balance. Also not sure of his capacity to play in a 4-3-3. He needed a 4-4-2, with two strikers making runs into the box to head it in.

@rohanlambert450

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Hargreaves would've added more defensive balance but I believe that the domination that the Gerrard/Scholes/Lampard midfield would show and hold would be more than enough to hold many of the international teams at the time. Admittedly I am of the school of thought that, you cant lose if you score more than them, perpetuated. Also, I saw Scholes, in his mid to later career, in a Pirlo esque role. Playing deep defensively but able to cut the opposition to shreds with direct and accurate long balls when needed and skill/control of and on the ball to play short passes and progress the ball slowly at other times. Sorry, I meant to say Becks as a Right Forward. I also meant Becks as a Forward/Winger because with the 3 in central midfield I believe that they would have had the necessary manpower to allow for Becks to make a good decision rather than forcing his hand to come inside to get the ball then crossing because I believe his effect was stunted, as you said, by the lack of a discernably good left-winger/forward BUT also the monotony in which he was forced to play limiting his attacking choice pallet.

@thewatchman9540

Жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Carrick (an extremely underrated DM, highly rated by Pep guardiola) should have played in that England as the DM with Scholes as the regista and Lampard as the creative force. This would’ve been the perfect midfield and possibly the best midfield of its era but Sven Goren Ericsson’s tactics were too outdated for the game by the mid-2000s.

England were at their best since 66' in 1998 World Cup when Hoddle was the manager cos he knew how to get the best out of Scholes as an offensive midfielder. Unfortunately Beckham tripped Argentina's Simone that cost him to get sent off & lost the game on penalties after drawing the game at the quarter finals stage. Scholes influence in the England team was being reduced once Eriksson the England manager came in just before Euro 2000 that gave the opportunity for Gerrard & Lampard to grab their chance to be part of the squad!

Enjoying your quality videos. Do you see mount making this change from being an attacking mid to a regista like scholes, pirlo etc. ? Does he have the quality to make the change and can he be the 1st phase midfielder man united need?

Great video 🔥🔥 . Can you make one like this on Xavi ? (Not a Barça fan but one of my favourite players ) .

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

I'll add it to the list Soma and thanks for your appreciation!

@sagniksarkar1503

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots No problem mate and I am looking forward for the video :)

Why Scholes is the best tempo controlling CM in history? -- He did year after year against a direct football playing players. Had Scholes moved to Real or Barca or Juve or Inter... the world would have worshipped him like they worshipped Zidane/Xavi Look at Modric, amazing in Tottenham.. moves to RM.. and becomes 10 times deadlier.

I think I vaguely remember Paul Sholes debut, I wasn't watching much football at that time. It was a news reel premiere league highlights, he came on, scored a gaol almost instantly. I remember this copper headed very young guy, sprightly-quality, real finesse, skinny looking. I don't think he changed much just got older, he was a real professional start to finish.

@WallieTheRed

8 ай бұрын

He scored two ✌️

I agree with the ending of your video. Even though it’s hard to say he could of done more when you consider the amount of trophies he has won at the club he was at since a boy and with his mates who he had played with since kids. It couldn’t get much better but I would of loved to have seen him become more arrogant and want to be seen as the best in his position and maybe moving to another club was the only way that would happen because Alex Ferguson would never of allowed that.

@glyndwrjohn6383

3 жыл бұрын

He also never wanted to leave. In response to being asked what someone would need to do to get him to play for then, he said 'buy Manchester United' he was home.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Well for me to say he could have done more... says a lot about his talent rather than a criticism! The English Platini 🔥

Kiwi Red since 1970s. United was Blessed with many quality hard CMFs Captain Marvel Cantona Butt Keano. Ginga Ninja my fave. Saw space simple high percentage but also killer Long passing range Also loads of goals. Quite laidback humble. Agree with his insightful analysis.

Saw this in my feed, Scholes was my favourite player during the Ferguson era, but i was like…”man, another guy trying to break down Scholes”….so went to check out what other vids you made first….and i see “Why Riquelme was better than Zindane”…….!!!!!….done….subscriber for life now…..

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Wow Darren, that means a lot! Thank you for the kind words and look forward to producing more content for you :)

Just discovered u, really good video/analysis .

@PythagorasinBoots

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bertus!

Great Video really well developed must say he was unlucky with his positioning in terms of the managers positioning him at the wrong place wrong times.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Yes very unfortunate not helped by the fact he was a continental type player and personality in some respects (introverted like an early Xavi) but never had a manager who fully knew how to utilise him and extract the underling confident personality he had when the ball was at his feet to the maximum.

The occasion was never too big for scholes at England, it was the managers at the time

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

That comment was made during his time at World Cup 98. That occasion was too big for him but not because of his own flaws.. he was simply too young to be given such a prominent role. Gazza should have been there instead. He proved in 2002 and 2004 he could hold his own against the best even out of position.

@Powerbox1998

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots if only Gazza was the same sort of age as scholes ay and they could play together

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@Powerbox1998 that would be pretty amazing - would need a old deeper lying Scholes and a Gazza in his prime for them to fit well. Or play them like Silva and KDB ala City.

@Powerbox1998

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots imagine a gazza and scholes given the freedom to play at cam aswell with gazza with beckham on the right Barnes on the left and lineker up top with a holding midfielder ie someone like a carrick

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@Powerbox1998 that would be pretty amazing to watch!

Despite him being my role model in football, I could only smirk when you talk about his defensive abilities. He definitely was not the best defender :))) you could've talked about how many times he got booked though

@PythagorasinBoots

2 жыл бұрын

97 yellow cards and 4 red cards!

Just superb work again. I think you are the best ar what you do. Its amazing how many times your comparison examples match my own examples that I've gone on about to freinds. Loved the point about his unusual mindeset - the paradox. When your ability is bigger than your personality hey? Such issues could arise with Greenwood and could lead to under achievement. The only point I would take some objection to is Pirlo. I have him third all time game controller. Xavi at 1 Scholes at 2. The reason I give is a propensity to not need space and to use other players as walls to bounce the ball off. Slipping through presses like sand falling through fingers. A bit more Juan Requelme 'give me the ball runaway i'll find you' to Pirlo's game. Loved the mentioning of Gazza without question the most universally skilled midfielder ever. In later part of his career we saw Daley Blind esk pass reading 'steals' and as you alude such intellgent game control. Adding those traits to the two footed passing finishing and dribbling. (Mind game) - If you threw in a Ronaldo attitude you would get a Michael Jordan of football or 'Zinadine Keane' of football i think rivaling Messi as the GOAT.

@PermanentMerka

3 жыл бұрын

I mean Ya Ya also a CM so so multi skilled and also and under achiver really but remind me. Could he dictate a game to any consistant level?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Ability bigger than personality is a wonderful way to put it. Greenwood, too early to tell but he seems quietly very confident - perhaps more of a Messi like persona eventually. Pirlo was the least press resistant, but I think the fact he won a World Cup and was a key component in that victory, as well as Euro 2012 finals.. elevates him above Scholes as a regista IMO. Gazza insanely underrated by the wider footballing community due to his less than impressive stint in Italian football. Did remarkably well considering the well documented mental health issues he had even from the outset of his career. Agree.. if he had the right mental framework, he would be one of the all time greats - period... a guy who could grab the game by the scruff of the neck in every sense of the word.

@vs6300

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Scholes has better pass completion than Pirlo, shows he has better quality. Shame that Scholes England years was wasted on less tactically apt coaches.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@vs6300 pass completion does not necessarily mean a better player as you have to look the risk profile in that players game when it comes to making progressive passes. Someone like McTominay is going to have a better pass % than Bruno but he isn’t the better player pound for pound respective to their position in United midfield.

@vs6300

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots But Pass completion in English premier league is an indicator of quality unlike Italy or Spain where they like to slow it down a bit. You have to be a machine to turn out such in EPL, especially in the midfield.

I enjoyed to the duals of Paul schores and nikie but

The Genius No.1 midfielder in England

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

A genius indeed. Who are you top 5 english midfielders of all time?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@Hassy Kay Best player I’ve seen live in terms of performance over the full 90 was Gerrard. Scholes the better regista for me but as an overall player it’s a tough call between them so have no qualms with your assessment .. I don’t think Scholes could lead a team to trophies single handedly like Gerrard could but on flip side you could argue Scholes more likely to fit into top teams midfield as he had a more continental style.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@Hassy Kay yep would have loved to have seen him in any of those sides and seen how he fared. On the flip side he did enjoy being big fish in small pond and that sort of suited his style of play.

Scholes the best mid field ever I seen in last 20 years ago the great play maker

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

One of the best for sure... probably be even more highly rated if he didn't play in his era which was very competitive for Registas.

3:45 When people mention the number of goals Lampard scored in the Scholes vs Lampard all I do is smile.

Great video, watch out for a boy called David Turnbull. Best player I have ever seen

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

He's been injured a lot hasn't he... that is a pretty bold statement, will check him out.

@MrManoo123

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots he was playing absolutely class for motherwell then celtic tried to sign him, he failed his medical because he had a “tear” in a ligament in his leg. He got surgery straight away and had been banging them in for Celtic now, he’s only played half the season because Neil Lennon is an idiot but he has been the best player in the team since he came in. Scored some belters too. Technique is stunning

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@MrManoo123 Will check him out!

Players like scholes modric Xavi pirlo zidane are rare.. they were able to control the tempo of the game..the vision what scholes had was beyond imagination. Before he could recieve the ball, he exactly knows where his team mates are.

Good narration

Scholes is tactical genius

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

He sure is, to master so many different positions is not easy.

Absolutely loved watching Scholes in the late 2000s

A man Scholes were v quiet in his playing days, no find any harsh words about critics, once retired now a pundit caused him to open up, now harsh talks yet threatening, the new Scholes open up his , he almost kill em all , Frustration on current team did not live up to expectations

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah he can be very blunt, but I like this style of analysis rather than mince his words and play to the camera like Gary Neville. I also like Jamie Carragher.

his finishing and headers are really good, like 90

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

As was his volleying. Please let me know if there is any other content you would like to see!

Best central midfielder England have seen for a long time

@PythagorasinBoots

Жыл бұрын

Agreed.

Very good analysis. I preferred watching scholes hit long shots compared to all the others including Pirlo, but I am probably biased

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely comes down to personal preference. Long shots, on the volley... Scholes takes it for me, but he didn't have a curl shot in his locker.

Bro the video was great i loved it but make analysis of current players

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

After Riquelme, I will do Mason Greenwood.

In regards to his lack of assists, Lampard and Gerrard took set pieces regularly and Scholes didn’t. So over 15 years of putting free kicks and corners into the box they were bound to get a couple of assists a season from this, so I don’t their numbers are particularly special compared to his if you factor this in. But yeah i agree he was a lot more likely to feed the ball out wide than to play a pass through the middle

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Good point and one which I tried to add in but had to edit out. Having said that, Gerrard and Lampard deserve credit for their set piece assists because it shows their coaches trusted their ball-striking ability enough to take free kicks and corners whereas Scholes was not trusted to take set pieces. Yes he had Beckham to contend with but even when Beckham left he was still not asked to take them.

@whatscookinginthekitchen8520

3 жыл бұрын

Pythagoras in Boots also had Ronaldo to contend with at a stage too for freekicks. And Scholes was a threat at set pieces as well. Headers and shots at goal. So there's probably many reasons why he didn't take set pieces. I do think had he taken some, he would have been okay at it. His technique generally spot on.

@vs6300

3 жыл бұрын

Plus the fact that MU's game plan was to use fast and powerful wingers meant his passes were scarcely assists.

@WallieTheRed

8 ай бұрын

Assisting the assister is just an important

What a video! Very comprehensive.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Perry glad you enjoyed!

As a city fan … from the bad old days, it was a guilty pleasure to sit in the north stand and see some of the greatest premier league players ever. Zola, Henry, Shearer, Klinsmann (more of a fan boy than him being a PL great), Ginola, Viera, Gerrard. Paul Scholes without doubt is in the top 3 for me.

Great video. Subbed #

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rick!

very good video

@PythagorasinBoots

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the visit

can you do an analysis on gravenberch

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Once he becomes a bit more established, I will add him to the list bud.

Can u do an analysis on mason greenwood pls

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

He will be my next modern player project.

Eric Cantona was not suspended for 2 months but 9 months. This is still an excellent video.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

I’ve already answered this. I was trying to say he missed 2 months of the start of the next season as the ban covered the middle of one season to the start of the next.

Easily the greatest midfielder of the generation by quite a margin really. Any football person will tell you that. Some fans might look at the stats and judge by that but that isn’t how football works. There’s no stats on who started the move in the first place or who controlled the game and set the tempo for the others to score . Scholes was the master at that and NO other English player could do it not even close to doing it so they had to rely on getting in the box whole career where scholes stopped doing that to concentrate more on dictating play and others concentrated on inspiring shouting and being the main man when Scholes never had to be the main man there was lots of those around him. If hoddle stayed manager England would of seen best of him. And Scholes done good at the World Cup 98 and they didn’t resort to long balls because of Scholes they did it because that’s what they do and he scored a wonder goal there . Hoddle said he would always be first name on the sheet and Gazza said he’s the best player apart from him.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Wonderfully put Don

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@Adolf Hitler Gerrard is the best midfielder I watched in terms of the best live performance I ever saw and I’ve seen both Lampard and Scholes. Wouldn’t necessarily put him above Scholes overall but keen to hear your reasoning behind the ranking!

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@Adolf Hitler I would have to disagree that he could have been a world class CDM or CM for that matter. He was tested in these roles for England and he looked average IMO. He lacked the positional discipline and movement off the ball/ball retention skills in deeper lying areas to excel in the middle half of the pitch in stark contrast to Scholes who was a world class regista. Gerrard could fill in for these roles and do a decent job but not brilliant in these positions for me. As an attacking midfielder he was world class. I definitely wouldn’t have Lampard ahead of Scholes either.

@Ultimecea90

3 жыл бұрын

@Adolf Hitler Yes, Gerrard is versatile Too versatile for his own good that he plays across multiple positions as his Liverpool team at that time are lacking players in the right role, like RM, LM and even Second Striker. His peak was when him partnering with Torres, playing Second Striker with Torres definitely terrorized EPL at that time imo. Yes, he drops deep near the end of his career but that's also due to the fact him forcing Xabi Alonso out from the club and eventually, the club owner selling Mascherano, which makes him playing in deeper roles as he never gets a better partner in the centre

Can you do one on who you think is the best player ever.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

That is more of a long term project as on my website I intend to do profiles for all the greats one by one and reach a conclusion according to a matrix I have calculated to determine a players greatness. Then I can turn it into a video.

@firellparker7463

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots ah you got a Website. What's it called let me read it. I wonder if who you thi k is the best player ever is the same as who i think. Hint it's not Messi imo

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@firellparker7463 www.pythagorasinboots.com/ I have a top 7, at the moment haven’t fully decided who finished top but Messi is one of those players.

Paul scholes..paul scholes..didn't know how to tackle in his earlier years??now that's something new i've learnt today..

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Did he ever learn how to tackle? Positionally he got better with age.

@joshkooga7204

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots ah..yes,i can see that now..he read the game better and could intercept play better..but his tackling was always a bit all or nothing..still,he's paul scholes..

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@joshkooga7204 by 2006 he wasn’t a tactical liability - in 1999, Sir Alex sometimes preferred Butt as he was more disciplined for his age. Later in his career Scholes held the shape very well as can be seen in the 2008 Barca semi final.

Could you do one for Gerrard?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Sure. I’m just saving money at the moment as I don’t have a laptop atm (hence no analysis videos coming out recently) but once I do, I will get on to that.

@teejhayemperor5447

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Aii

Keane would have been nothing without Scholes . NOTHING . Having said that , Keane deserved everything he ever got ❤

Inspired me to follow football and United - shifting from Cricket. as a young guy i always mistook Scholes and Solksjaer even thought they were related. hehe

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Haha don’t pick - I love cricket too. One of my dreams is to one day have enough time to produce analytical content for Cricket too!

@rabinmaharjan5689

3 жыл бұрын

​@@PythagorasinBootshaha little too late for me now... 20+ years only dedicated to Man Utd now. Have to admit, very unbiased and honest analysis you have covered there with proper details.

The Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard is an easy pick when you realize Scholes unretired,won the league, and retired again

@melvyndolby8625

3 жыл бұрын

It is an easy pick, except for the English. You pick 2 players for the 2 available positions, instead of trying to play all 3. Only in England......no wonder the national team is always crap

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

well said.

I'll just admit I've never heard of him being called the Ginger Prince until this vid. I heard Ginger Ninja a lot more.

Namaste 🙏 👋 thankyou God bless all beings 🙏 👋

I can imagine Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard & Hargreaves in a Pep style box-midfield, with Lampard & Scholes being the more advanced of the four. Players who were a couple of decades to early in an England side.

It's quite detailed with lots of clips of his tackles (how did you manage that??) I also like the graphics with the rain effect. It's a shame you have copyrights issue otherwise a decent attempt at making this video.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Johnny, I use footballia to find old match footage and collate them by downloading and clipping the best clips. I’m trying to save up money for better hardware and software so hopefully the overall standard will get better and better as the project grows. Thanks for your support!

GINGER PRINCE....PAUL SCHOLES ALL IN ALL HUMBLE MAN.

Zidane, Matthaus Xavi, Iniesta- all won the world cup... Schoes result with England: 1998-1/8, 2002- 1/4... In Euro 2000-exit in group? 2004- 1/4 ....

@sskmanentsa5326

9 ай бұрын

One cannot use team results to judge a player's ability and performance. Zidane was better in 2006 than in 1998 but France won in 1998. You have to look at what Scholes did in those tournaments and place everything in context to fully gauge his abilities.

My love.

Is the best midfielder I've ever seen

U know ur football 🤝🤝🤝

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks bud ❤️

Golden heads 🇬🇧✊

I smashed the shit outta that "Subscribe" button

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 my favourite comment ever

@BenMelluish

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Haha. In all seriousness I thought it was a fantastic video. Well done, mate.

Do Carrick

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Check my instagram, I have a video on Carrick there @pythaginboots.

@uvais

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots i dont have insta, only ubtube.

Best player I've seen in a United shirt...including Cristiano!

@jaimemurphy2208

3 жыл бұрын

no.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Big call!

@jait2024

3 жыл бұрын

@@jaimemurphy2208 who was better than scholes. Please let use know silly works

@jaimemurphy2208

3 жыл бұрын

@@jait2024 Ronaldo. It's insane to think he isn't the best player of the last 20 odd years.

Greatest midfielder of all times, his passing and distribution accuracy were awesome. Paul Scholes is an absolute Manchester Legend.

@Chris-zd7gw

7 ай бұрын

There's always someone who goes hysterical. Just calm down. Scholes was brilliant, but definitely not the best MF of all time.

Best English player ever very complete

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

The English Platini.

Do you think that Paul Pogba will become the new Paul Scholes, I think based on this analysis, they have similar qualities. He certainly has the passing range, both long and short, add to that, he is the better dribbler and has more mobility.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Similarities are definitely passing range and agree Pogba is a superior dribbler in terms of tricks but Scholes had superior mobility in his prime.. he was incredibly nimble whereas Pogba is very tall so a tad more static and less slippery. I think Pogba has a stronger ego and can be the main man in a side whereas Scholes did not have that type of personality. I also think Scholes was more intelligent in terms of movement off the ball, more endurance in terms of constantly finding spaces and decision making in general.. not to mention a better finisher. Pogba is stronger defensively and is more two footed. I think Pogba has the potential to be the inbetween player that Scholes never became i.e. a bit like a KDB, slightly running the game and being a creative threat... whereas Scholes had distinct phases in his career. However Scholes was very disciplined and professional, whereas I have doubts over whether Pogba has the concentration to really maximise his talent.

@fbaallied

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots, thanks for the reply, I think it will be fascinating to see where this Pogba-Bruno-+CDM axis will potentially go!

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Cherry Boy Waz my colleague is a Liverpool fan but he reckons if we keep those two together we have a huge shot at building a title winning side. I think with both of them we can sweep away smaller sides with ease but would like to see them against an elite midfield before I am totally convinced with regards to the balance.

@HishamR89

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Pogba is very disciplined as long as he trusts his teammates and doesn't feel like he needs to do everything. If his role is simplified in the team then there arent many better than him.

The only thing Scholes lacked at the end of the day is what he blames the united squad for. Desire. Desire to be the best , maybe even goated level of midfielder. He was one of the best ever. But what could have been is a different story all together

He didnt score as many goals as Lampard or Gerrard but in his 100 plus Premiership goals only one came from the penalty spot and he didnt take free kicks

A cross between Scholes and Carrick would have been world class +++ (I am NOT a Man U fan)

A good player that was unfortunate to play in the same era as Gerrard and Lampard. Giggs on the other hand is probably the best Utd outfield player of all time.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Disagree about Giggs. Best, Charlton were comfortably superior.

@janniknielsen9292

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots Giggs played at the highest level from 17 to his late 30's. Best was finished before he was 30. Charlton and Best competed in an age where people smoked and drank. His decline started by he hit the age of 22.

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@janniknielsen9292 Irrelevant. It is like saying Giggs is better than R9 because he played longer - you have to look at the quality of their game in the prime and how important they were with respect to the side and their status in the global game. Best is arguably the greatest winger in football history outside of Garrincha and Charlton is the greatest English footballer of all time, a World Cup winner and rated as one of the all time greats by any word of the definition. Both were simply football players and whether they played longer or not doesn’t matter an iota in this context. Longevity can be a factor if we are talking about two players of a similar quality and then you can argue the player who did it longer is better but these guys are a tier above.

Joint anti ESL demo between Liverpool and United?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Well it wasn't quite a joint one, but the United lads done us proud!

was Scholes good at defending?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Scholes was not 'good' at defending. He could at times execute a good slide tackle and by the end of his career, could position himself well in terms of keeping the team shape but by the standards of other midfielders, he was quite mediocre in this respect and I think Xavi/Pirlo beat him on this front.

@zNicoBlaster

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots ty 😎👌

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

@@zNicoBlaster any time bud 👍

Scholes didn't have that moments where he won the game or made key difference. No doubts of his talents, he just didn't show it when it matters. Especially in International stage. Perhaps why England always crush out. Their key man didn't deliver.

a john terry one?

@PythagorasinBoots

3 жыл бұрын

Sure will add to the list - big fan of JT.

@notoriusbig1572

3 жыл бұрын

@@PythagorasinBoots great insight. Best english cb

Spot on. Scholes was a great player but hindsight has made him into something he wasn’t.