[Zlatattack]

Only on this forum does a guy not satisfy you when the opposition's entire tactic when attacking through his side is to stop play it back in the middle and try something else.

They don't even bother going there anymore. Gedson Fernandes thought he was special, turns out he isn't.

Well said.

 

[AttackAttackAttack]

Can he play CB? His attack seems to be letting the team down and breaking up our play. I can see him thriving on the right side with 3 at the back but I wonder if he could replace VL to pair Harry.

 

[Greck]

And to the people saying Sancho will hide his flaws. I think you guys should watch BVB's Achraf Hakimi playing alittle closer at fullback before making such assertions imo.

I think it's crazy that people think Sancho will fix it. If AWB doesn't improve to at least be consistently competent teams will double up on Sancho and take him out of the game

 

[Adnan]

I think it's crazy that people think Sancho will fix it. If AWB doesn't improve to at least be consistently competent teams will double up on Sancho and take him out of the game.

It's an absolutely crazy notion that gets pedalled on here. Sancho is so impressive because the likes of Hakimi link up with him and create space. If Sancho arrives at OT and doesn't get the support from the fullback it will undoubtedly end up like you have described it. Hakimi is also comfortably a better player going forward in comparison to AWB and that is a worry considering we've spent a ridiculous amount on him in a position where Solskjaer has said he expects his fullbacks to contribute in a attacking sense.

I think a Sancho, Laird pairing could be the future potentially unless we see a big improvement in AWBs ability in a attacking sense from fullback.

 

[Freak]

Pointless in the attacking side of the game.

 

[Adisa]

Can't believe he was a winger. Can see why they moved him.

 

[Adisa]

He isn't the problem, our reliance on him being the outlet on the right is the problem. Sancho will fix that though. Hopefully.....

Sancho isn't an outlet player. He plays narrow and influences the game through combinations.

 

[gajender]

Was against this signing from the outset I don't care about the assists and crossing that much but his hesitancy on the ball and lack of balance are of great concern and I don't believe Sancho's arrival would alleviate the problem .
But just hoping as he is young he can improve otherwise he would be another failed big money transfer.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Dreadful going forward.

It would also help to not have to play with Daniel James who is such a basic footballer.

 

[RkkMan]

He attacked with a lot more confidence when James went off and solid defensively once again. AWB will be one of our key key players going forward but he needs a competent RW to play with.

 

[Godfather]

If he ever wants to be considered a great fullback he needs to work on his forward play. It's not enough to be a good defender.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

And constantly playing balls down the line on a runner with a man pressing behind is not better than recycling the ball... I'm fine when he is only defending, but everytime he gets the ball, either in attack or build-up, the decisions made and the time it takes and the execution is just very poor. Actually a lot worse than Shaw, who is not good at this either.

 

[RooneyLegend]

50 million for a full back who can't run with the ball under control?

 

[Drainy]

Can only hope Ethan Laird can stay clear of injuries and kick on. When we dominate the ball having fullbacks who can control the ball on the turn and be progressive would really help.

However in the games where we sit back AWB is mostly brilliant in fairness to him.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

However in the games where we sit back AWB is mostly brilliant in fairness to him.

Which is great if we are trying to park the B and counter, but not so great when we are playing against this type of setup.

 

[Drainy]

Which is great if we are trying to park the B and counter, but not so great when we are playing against this type of setup.

which was my point?

 

[saivet]

Can he play CB? His attack seems to be letting the team down and breaking up our play. I can see him thriving on the right side with 3 at the back but I wonder if he could replace VL to pair Harry.

I don't think so. Comparing him to Shaw, who can and has played well there, I think there are a number of flaws in his game for CB. I think he's poor in the air, his first touch, passing and ability to dribble out from the back isn't there.

While I think he is a great one on one defender, I think positionally, he's a bit lazy, even at right back because he's confident he can recover (which he usually can). I've also noticed he's not the best at holding the line either which would be important as part of back 3.

I think he can be an even better defensive right back, but I'm not convinced he'll flourish as anything other than that, which is perfectly fine.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

which was my point?

My mistake. You are correct.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Our Right Width is still a problem.. of which he's still one of the consistent factors.

His decision making when we're attacking is too complicated. Not for the first time.

 

[Mcking]

He should never have been signed. It's so obvious he isn't cut out for a top club. Crystal Palace is his level.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Typical Cafe overreacting after one game back from a 3 month break. AWB was clearly showing signs of improving his attacking before COVID (assist and performance vs Chelsea). Give him time before saying he's should be sold ffs. He's been one of our standout performers.

 

[limerickcitykid]

It’s actually staggering how he came up in a pro academy as a winger but makes Chris Smalling look like Messi on the ball. How has that happened? He struggles to position his body just to control the ball at times. Forget attacking output, his composure on the ball to look up and hold the ball just barely exists.

Probably the best 1 on 1 defender in the world, the rest of his game, severely lacking. A perplexing player that’s for sure.

 

[A-man]

Struggled yesterday but it looked like the kind of struggle most players have after a long break.

 

[Bwuk]

I don’t think he’s all that.

I don’t think he reads the game well, and relies on his recovery pace and power to react to the situation rather than be proactive.

Hed do better with Greenwood in front of him, as Greenwood can go inside and AWB just has to stay wide.

 

[Valencia's Left Foot]

I think it's crazy that people think Sancho will fix it. If AWB doesn't improve to at least be consistently competent teams will double up on Sancho and take him out of the game

Yep, when Sancho comes we will be complaining that Jadon doesn't have anyone to link up with on the right. There was zero urgency by Spurs to defend AWB, and rightfully so. He's actually not a bad crosser, it's his dribbling and ball control that lets him down. He simply cannot get in a position to cross the ball. Watching him with the ball at his feet is beyond painful. I would love to see what Brandon Williams could do on the right every now and then, especially against teams that are parking the bus. AWB is a terrific defender, but yesterday we absolutely needed someone else on the right who could help with the attack. I'm not sure modern football has room for RB/LBs who can only defend.

 

[roseguy64]

Typical Cafe overreacting after one game back from a 3 month break. AWB was clearly showing signs of improving his attacking before COVID (assist and performance vs Chelsea). Give him time before saying he's should be sold ffs. He's been one of our standout performers.

This pretty much. He showed clear signs of improvement before the break. Once he starts getting regular training and games we'll start to see that come back. Right now he's focused on keeping firm with his strengths.

 

[He'sRaldo]

I think it's crazy that people think Sancho will fix it. If AWB doesn't improve to at least be consistently competent teams will double up on Sancho and take him out of the game

Then we just have one of our AM's link up with Sancho and have AWB stay back and protect that side. Akin to Kyle Walker at City.

If you see some highlight videos of one of our reported targets Van de Beek, you can see he makes overlapping runs very intelligently, moreso than any fullback. Why not leave the fullback a bit deeper to snuff out counters, and allow one of our attacking CM's to make those runs in his stead?

And besides all that, I think this is an overreaction to a poor combo of James and AWB, which if you go back even before the lockdown people have been saying doesn't work. This isn't a new thing, we all knew that James limits AWB but Ole played them together anyway.

 

[DWelbz19]

And to the people saying Sancho will hide his flaws. I think you guys should watch BVB's Achraf Hakimi playing alittle closer at fullback before making such assertions imo.

Very good point. It’s a bit nervy at how bad he really is offensively. We can only hope Laird has Greenwood like breaththroughs in the next year or two. Don’t think we’ll be looking for new signings in a position we’ve spent so much in for a while.

 

[Adnan]

Very good point. It’s a bit nervy at how bad he really is offensively. We can only hope Laird has Greenwood like breaththroughs in the next year or two. Don’t think we’ll be looking for new signings in a position we’ve spent so much in for a while.

I just hope Laird can steer clear of injuries. And if he does, then I'm gonna back him to oust AWB due to Laird being a much better fullback on the ball.

Many will make all the excuses in the world for him (AWB) but he isn't good enough on the ball.

The stronger we get in a attacking sense the more the weaknesses of AWB will be exposed/highlighted imo.

 

[ghagua]

I thought this guy was converted from a winger to a right back. He must have been the worst winger prospect ever. There is not an ounce of attacking talent in this guy. If he was half as good attacking as he is in defense, he would be a great player.

 

[Mr Smith]

Typical Cafe overreacting after one game back from a 3 month break. AWB was clearly showing signs of improving his attacking before COVID (assist and performance vs Chelsea). Give him time before saying he's should be sold ffs. He's been one of our standout performers.

This. Unbelievable how quickly some of this lot are happy to turn on our players after one mediocre game. As you say, Wan-Bissaka has already improved his attacking output and will continue to do so. But you genuinely can't put a price on how good he his defensively. Our right flank is a locked door.

 

[AttackAttackAttack]

I don't think so. Comparing him to Shaw, who can and has played well there, I think there are a number of flaws in his game for CB. I think he's poor in the air, his first touch, passing and ability to dribble out from the back isn't there.

While I think he is a great one on one defender, I think positionally, he's a bit lazy, even at right back because he's confident he can recover (which he usually can). I've also noticed he's not the best at holding the line either which would be important as part of back 3.

I think he can be an even better defensive right back, but I'm not convinced he'll flourish as anything other than that, which is perfectly fine.

Yeah that is true he isn’t good at holding the line at all. He is young though so I’m sure he will get better.

 

[El Jefe]

I have to be honest, the OTT criticism of Aaron's attacking game really does my head in. While everyone knows his attacking game isn't the best at the moment, it seems several posters just look at the negative aspect of his game and ignore all context to it.

Before getting into the attacking part of the game, please remember that we had Ashley Young stinking out the place at RB for a few seasons prior to Wan Bissaka's arrival. Go back a few more years and it was Valencia. From his very first game, he was such an upgrade to what we have seen in the last few years. He has been one of our best performers all season long, literally clamping down wingers game after game and protecting Lindelof from getting exposed on that right side of defence. Whenever he has a rare stinker like on Friday or against Watford, his loud detractors come out and downplay all the good work he's done.

On paper, he's in his debut season at a massive club signed for a massive fee at 21 year's old, how is he anything other than a success atm. There's so many posters that can't wait to have him out of the team or change his position but that makes no sense to me. When we signed him we knew as did Ole that work would need to be done on his attacking game. He's already made some improvement in this area and delivered two assists from beautiful crosses but some of you won't be happy until he turns into Trent overnight. SAF did the same with G. Neville and after a while his delivery was excellent. I saw a poster say Poch would get rid of him if he was our manager, comfortably forgetting that Rose and Walker were poor in attack when he got there. He worked on their attacking play especially Rose and he became outstanding. Patience is all we need.

I've also read that signing Sancho wouldn't change much. AWB has played most of the season with James and Peiera in front of him and Greenwood in odd games. Wes Brown couldn't get forward well at RB but we didn't care because we had Ronaldo in front of him, the same with Heinze as he had Giggs ahead of him or G. Nev with Beckham. Having a top player ahead of you opens up your game as a fullback but more importantly reduces the need to rely on your RB for creativity.

All I'm trying to say is we've signed this young kid for £50m and he's been great so far. Let's judge him on a 'glass half full' basis and at least give him time to iron out the flaws in his game.

 

[Andycoleno9]

He needs direct winger in front of him. Player who goes direct on goal like Greenwood or (lets hope) Sancho. In that way AWB would do that in what he is the best; defend.
He is really poor in attack. And he can slightly improve but not much. He just doesn't have skill. And when he plays with wingers who play on safe and who can't beat a player like James, Lingard or Mata, AWB is much involved in attack. And that is not good for us.
I remember what Neville said about playing with Ronaldo on same side. He said that he was concentrated on defence (so not doing overlap) because he knew that Ronaldo will go direct on goal.

 

[Revan]

We replaced Darmian with the younger and more expensive Darmian. We'll be looking for a new RB soon enough. You cannot have modern RBs who are useless at attacking.

 

[Isotope]

His first game after 3 months. He looked visibly tired on 2nd half, and even struggled holding the backline.

He was great on defending, and good on attacking before the lockdown. So maybe we should give him a pass this time. It's the same with McTom and Fred.

 

[LVGSdive]

I don’t think he’s all that.

I don’t think he reads the game well, and relies on his recovery pace and power to react to the situation rather than be proactive.

Hed do better with Greenwood in front of him, as Greenwood can go inside and AWB just has to stay wide.

You can't be serious. The best 1 on 1 defender in the world doesn't read the game well. He plays to his strengths and completely shuts down the left side of the oppositions attack. No matter who he plays against.

Let me guess Messi doesn't shoot well neither?

 

[LVGSdive]

We replaced Darmian with the younger and more expensive Darmian. We'll be looking for a new RB soon enough. You cannot have modern RBs who are useless at attacking.

Yes you can. There's ways to build attacks without relying on a full back. Although most on here really under rate AWB's attacking contributions.

It's like the defensive side of the game means nothing to most people on here. Coaches and teams are going to have to come up with tactics that completely avoid going down their left flank. Think of how many full backs in world football command that level of respect.

 

[Nigel Refalo]

Having daniel james in front of you on that right wing does not help.

 

[Greck]

Too many oppose any kind of criticism of the lad. Is it really controversial to say he needs to improve? I mean Valencia was slammed for the same thing and the consensus was his attacking contributions weren't great and needed upgrading. The frustration of having attacks die in that right corner still rings in everyone's mind. His link up in tight spaces also has to improve because he struggled against Jose's low block with no room to run