Haji Mnoga: meet the new king of tough tackling
Young full-back pledges to continue aggressive style of play
HAJI MNOGA has vowed not to take the physical edge out of his Pompey game.
And the fast-emerging prospect has pinpointed his pride in making his Blues breakthrough as the fuel behind his no-nonsense style of play.
Mnoga is quickly building a reputation as one of the toughest tacklers around, despite only making his league breakthrough at Fratton Park in November.
The 18-year-old has showcased some powerful play in his 11 appearances to date, but there’s also been some heart-in-the-mouth moments as he goes flying in to win the ball.
Mnoga, pictured above by Nigel Keene, noted he has to be aware of falling foul of referees moving forward, but he has no intention of taking the intensity out of his game.
He said: ‘It is something we talk about but it’s just part of my game where I always try to put 110 per cent in.
‘Maybe if I pick up a yellow card it’s how I play the rest of the game and being a bit careful sometimes.
‘It’s part of my game. I don’t really want to take out, to be honest because it’s good being aggressive and it’s good being determined.
‘I’d rather pick up a few yellow cards rather than bottling challenges.
‘It’s something which gets talked about but maybe it’s just honing a little bit and keeping that aggressive edge.
‘It’s not something I want to take out of my game, though, because it’s a massive part of my game.
‘If I think I can win it, I’m going to go in 100 per cent to win it.’
Despite still being a teenager, Mnoga already cuts an imposing figure at first-team level and has had no problem adjusting to the pace and strength of opponents in League One.
The Somers Town lad explained being a homegrown player is fuelling his determination in games and desire to make an impact.
He added: ‘Coming through the youth team I’ve always been aggressive.
‘I’d say I’m probably one of the most aggressive players about and I want to win the ball.
‘It’s a bit of pride within me playing for Portsmouth.
‘Whenever I put the shirt on and go out there I want to do my best.
‘I feel it’s quite hard to eradicate from my game, but maybe I could look to hone it a little bit.
‘I’m still quite happy with how I play, though.
‘I think the fans like it and I want to keep it.
‘Sometimes maybe it’s just decision making and maybe I go flying in studs up and people look at it as a bit dangerous or reckless.
‘So maybe it’s decision making about whether I can win it or not and maybe I do sometimes get it wrong.
‘In my mind though I’m just looking to win the ball.’