Jackett – Mnoga’s learnt from rough ride against Crewe
‘Haji has improved on the ball and his decision making’
HAJI MNOGA’S wing-back display against Cheltenham Town has been applauded by Kenny Jackett.
But Pompey’s boss has warned the England under19 hopeful must learn how to operate effectively within a conventional back four.
Mnoga was named at right wing-back in Tuesday night’s 3-0 success away to the Robins to reach the last 16 of the Papa John’s Trophy.
The 18-year-old opened the scoring in that Whaddon Road contest, the smart left-footed finish on 15 minutes representing his maiden Blues goal.
England under-19s head coach Ian Foster was present, having also worked with Mnoga at the Three Lions’ under-17 level in early 2019 and during time together at Pompey.
But Jackett believes there remain aspects of Mnoga’s game which require key attention.
He told The News: ‘Haji has improved. He has improved on the ball and his decision making.
‘Sometimes from wing-back it’s a little bit easier because you have three very solid people behind you – and he is going to have to fine-tune that.
‘If you are looking at the movement of Crewe a few weeks ago, they are a good side and their movement was very good.
‘We came through it and won the game, but similarly they can give you problems when they’ve got the ball.
‘Obviously it’s different when you are in a back four like that match.
‘Haji has learned from it. There were two games around that period, West Ham under21s and then Crewe, and it is slightly different playing in a back four.
‘But he can play both. However, the test against Crewe, no disrespect to Cheltenham, was far greater than Tuesday night.’
Mnoga made his Football League full debut in that 4-1 success over Crewe last month.
However, he was substituted at half-time along with opposite full-back Cam Pring, with Callum Johnson and Lee Brown introduced.
On that occasion, the Blues operated with a flat back four in the newly-utilised 4-4-2 system under Jackett.
Still, his ongoing development was enough to prompt Foster’s attendance at Whaddon Road.
Mnoga previously represented England under-17s in February 2019, when he appeared as a substitute against Hungary in a friendly.
Jackett added: ‘Haji has been involved in the England set-up before.
‘He has represented them at under-17 level and been at one or two of their training camps, so it’s interesting Ian Foster is checking up on him.
‘Haji has been in and around their radar and I thought he gave a good performance against Cheltenham – and also scored a good goal.’