[Brightonian]

One of those players who has sort of anti-fans on here who wait for him to have a weaker game and turn up with this sort of nonsense:

One trick pony. Cant believe we spent 50 million on such a limited footballer. Absolute rubbish tonight

I refuse to believe he’s a footballer and to think we have spent 50m on him, laughable.

We will never win the league with him as part of the first 11.

They like to mention his pricetag (immaterial, and not his fault). They are also nowhere to be seen when, 80% of the time, he is having rock solid games and looks ever-more effective going forward. And you certainly can't find them here when he's single-handedly shutting down a whole side of the pitch against top sides like City or PSG. Like... last week, for example.

He wasn't good today, his attacking game was all over the place. Still very solid defensively - his worst defensive showings generally equal most modern fullbacks better days. Overall this season his attacking game is clearly on an upward trajectory, and although he was sloppy today there were moments when that was still visible.

 

[Devil may care]

Sloppy today, looked out of sync with the game.

 

[Ali Dia]

His form is erratic but his low level is passable and when he’s on it he can score and assist. His defending is nearly always good. It’s just about getting it all happening together over a season and finding a partner for him on the right. He’s still got a lot of potential and he should become more dominant and consistent as he matures. Very Sloppy today but I reckon he’ll be some player by his mid 20s.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

How much of his "bad play" is down to the fact that he never gets a rest? Obviously we lack decent cover for him.

Some of these comments after one under par game is embarrassing.

 

[NICanRed]

I am really getting tired of the ABAWB brigade. I was reading the Caf at half-time and was puzzled by some of the comments so I watched more carefully in the second half. All his passes went exactly where he intended, his positioning was good, he was defensively sound as usual. Now I'm no expert so I won't comment on his attacking ability but would certainly like some of the downers on here to explain what it is they would like him to do. I know that he is eclipsed by his colleague on the opposite flank who is having such a wonderful season but it wasn't so long ago that Luke was being slagged here for his performances. Give the kid a break!

 

[MadDogg]

Will get better offensively when he'll have someone like Sancho as his right side teammate.

I'm worried it'll do the opposite. Drag Sancho (or whoever) down as they'll have to do almost everything by themselves rather than combining and building play with their fullback.

Most likely it'll do a bit of both. Raise AWB but make it harder for Sancho.

 

[MadDogg]

Maybe I'm off my hinges but I think he's a better right full than Gary Neville. He won plenty

Neville was better in pretty much every way except pure 1v1 defensive battles and blocking crosses. It's why most of AWB's best games are against top left wingers where he can just focus on dealing with them all game without having to worry too much about attacking or build-up play.

 

[klayton88]

How much of his "bad play" is down to the fact that he never gets a rest? Obviously we lack decent cover for him.

Some of these comments after one under par game is embarrassing.

His passing and general shitness on the ball has been going on since we bought him. Never seen a guy as uncomfortable on the ball than him. But all is forgiven because he makes last ditch tackles.

 

[Bebestation]

I think he is going to keep on getting better and better.

His heading has improved now.

His attacking has improved but is not consistent.

He is such a specialist in how he defends and plays football that I never complain about him being a part of the squad. Think he is best suited currently against teams that attack us rather than teams that defend against us.

I'm glad it irritates some of our fans about how much he cost. Ultimately that's all they do, compare money against a players uses.

He is consistently part of a solid defence which needed upgrading at GK and RCB throughout the season. We have a team who cant score a goal at the moment and then theres fans who say that Wan Bissaka wont ever be part of a title winning team. Bravo. He was better than Shaw at the same age and I am excited to see how he plays when he reaches his prime.

 

[AKDevil]

Has he ever conceded a penalty for us? I've been racking my brains and can't remember one.

If he never has, it's an insane achievement for a player whose game is built around tackling and going to ground. And he's not afraid of making big tackles in the box either. In fact I can't think of a player so willing to do that in the Premier League since... I dunno, Coloccini maybe?



Oh, fair enough. I'm surprised he's only on that.

watford away last season in 2-0 defeat. Sticks in head as so rare to see him get tackle wrong.

 

[mattunited1978]

One of those players who has sort of anti-fans on here who wait for him to have a weaker game and turn up with this sort of nonsense:





They like to mention his pricetag (immaterial, and not his fault). They are also nowhere to be seen when, 80% of the time, he is having rock solid games and looks ever-more effective going forward. And you certainly can't find them here when he's single-handedly shutting down a whole side of the pitch against top sides like City or PSG. Like... last week, for example.

He wasn't good today, his attacking game was all over the place. Still very solid defensively - his worst defensive showings generally equal most modern fullbacks better days. Overall this season his attacking game is clearly on an upward trajectory, and although he was sloppy today there were moments when that was still visible.

Then you'v got fans like you, who cant see a poor footballer when its staring them in the face and make excuse after excuse for players. Then cant understand why we struggle against teams who sit back.

Agreed that His price isnt his fault, who said it was? Apart from his 1 v 1 defending, tell me one aspect of his game thats above average? Thats where his price tag becomes an issue, the fact the club spent 50 million on a player whos good at one thing. Poor use of finances.

And 'anti fans' my god, grow up, embarrassing, what happened to just not rating a player? Does every opinion have to earn someone a lable.

 

[Grande]

One of those players who has sort of anti-fans on here who wait for him to have a weaker game and turn up with this sort of nonsense:





They like to mention his pricetag (immaterial, and not his fault). They are also nowhere to be seen when, 80% of the time, he is having rock solid games and looks ever-more effective going forward. And you certainly can't find them here when he's single-handedly shutting down a whole side of the pitch against top sides like City or PSG. Like... last week, for example.

He wasn't good today, his attacking game was all over the place. Still very solid defensively - his worst defensive showings generally equal most modern fullbacks better days. Overall this season his attacking game is clearly on an upward trajectory, and although he was sloppy today there were moments when that was still visible.

Agree on most counts. He’s been a bit up and down lately, which is not strange when you consider that he plays every game in (yet another) season when United have lots of games in all tournaments. It’s partly his own fault, as his defensive lowest level is so high that we are markedly more vulnerable for replacing him with Brandon, who’s got second season syndrome.

 

[Skills]

Personally I think his ceiling is quite low, and it'll be a shocking signing considering we spent £50m mostly on potential that doesn't really exist.

He can become a very good defender if he learns to defend his back post but he's just not a natural footballer. It's quite similar to Smalling but when he receives a ball, he needs to take a touch just to get the ball in his possession before he can think about making his next move. Shaw who's a much more natural footballer can take the ball in his stride and put himself in a position to make his next pass, cross or dribble. It doesn't sound like much but his touch just doesn't win him enough time on the ball. I was a Smalling fan, and I think you can get away with it to a degree as a CB. But a modern full back is actually only a part time defender playing for a top team.

 

[Marwood]

Has to improve his bottom level. Again I think it's a confidence thing. He misplaces a couple of passes and it seems to get to him.

 

[Bebestation]

Then you'v got fans like you, who cant see a poor footballer when its staring them in the face and make excuse after excuse for players. Then cant understand why we struggle against teams who sit back.

Agreed that His price isnt his fault, who said it was? Apart from his 1 v 1 defending, tell me one aspect of his game thats above average? Thats where his price tag becomes an issue, the fact the club spent 50 million on a player whos good at one thing. Poor use of finances.

And 'anti fans' my god, grow up, embarrassing, what happened to just not rating a player? Does every opinion have to earn someone a lable.

To be fair you cant see that Shaw did crap all for the most of his career here and turned around after competition with an attacking fullback whilst also reaching his prime.

The fact is the fans that want this attacking RB also only have one aspect of their game they are good at - their attacking ability. Yet people think that's all benefits whilst a player that has one vs one defending is not. Grow up. People act like Wan Bissaka doesnt have any influence when we get a clean sheet People also forget his man of the match type games you see vs City.

Absolutely childish stuff by these fans who are thirsty and hungry for success and think Wan Bissaka is a cause of why we dont have it - when we have so many gaps in the squad.


There are these 'anti- fans' that look at the result then instantly look at the squad trying to pin point the players they dont like and they dont think was ever good enough, only to exaggerate the performance acting like it's why lost when we dont even lose. You lot do it for Fred, Rashford, Mctomminay, Martial, Wan Bissaka, Shaw before he reached his prime, Lindelof and others.

You lot talk about the cost of money as its
A) your money from your tax
B) not seeing the influence of being United exaggerating the prices we pay
C) not seeing how other clubs transfers effect our transfer too

All just talk about money like 80 million for Maguire and 50 million for Wan Bissaka or Fred - flush the great performances down the drain like it doesnt happen and wait for the mistakes to lose your temper like it's your time of the month.

Dont call anyone else childish because your not looking like anything different.

 

[Kostov]

He was sloppy today, misplaced a couple of passes, mistimed a tackle on Antonio, which frankly shocked me to see it was only his second yellow of the season.

 

[Bobcat]

One of those players who has sort of anti-fans on here who wait for him to have a weaker game and turn up with this sort of nonsense:





They like to mention his pricetag (immaterial, and not his fault). They are also nowhere to be seen when, 80% of the time, he is having rock solid games and looks ever-more effective going forward. And you certainly can't find them here when he's single-handedly shutting down a whole side of the pitch against top sides like City or PSG. Like... last week, for example.

He wasn't good today, his attacking game was all over the place. Still very solid defensively - his worst defensive showings generally equal most modern fullbacks better days. Overall this season his attacking game is clearly on an upward trajectory, and although he was sloppy today there were moments when that was still visible.

Finally some sense. Yes, hes a bit clumsy on the ball at times, but his defending is world class and considering his age there is no reason to expect he wont improve

 

[Sylar]

We do hope that he turns it around like Shaw, but Shaw did show signs (pre injury).

One thing that really pisses me off with awb is how he jogs back. He's done it so often that I don't think it's a fatigue issue

And for a defender his positioning is quite shocking, it's never in sync with the rest of the defence (it's why he gets done with a ball from the oppositions left to their right)

 

[Sylar]

Finally some sense. Yes, hes a bit clumsy on the ball at times, but his defending is world class and considering his age there is no reason to expect he wont improve

I'd say his tackling is world class. His defending overall as the whole package has been suspect a lot but his recovery bails him out at times

 

[Bebestation]

We do hope that he turns it around like Shaw, but Shaw did show signs (pre injury).

One thing that really pisses me off with awb is how he jogs back. He's done it so often that I don't think it's a fatigue issue

And for a defender his positioning is quite shocking, it's never in sync with the rest of the defence (it's why he gets done with a ball from the oppositions left to their right)

This is something I always disagreed with.

I never saw it.

Even then Wan Bissaka has shown signs he can put a deadly cross in, he hardly puts it wide.

 

[Bebestation]

I'd say his tackling is world class. His defending overall as the whole package has been suspect a lot but his recovery bails him out at times

And his heading has improved which I have seen a bit obvious over the last couple of games.

 

[Sylar]

This is something I always disagreed with.

I never saw it.

Even then Wan Bissaka has shown signs he can put a deadly cross in, he hardly puts it wide.

Shaw was fun to watch going forward under Southampton and showed potential. When he was under us with lvg, his link up with Memphis was good and he has a run of 4-5 games where he was going up and down the wing (lead to his injury in that European match)
Awb gets up too but he's too hesitant

And his heading has improved which I have seen a bit obvious over the last couple of games.

I'll accept that. I've seen awb put some good crosses in and that's why I hope he can improve but Shaw is only 2 years older than awb

 

[mattunited1978]

I dont rate wan bissaka, thats not childish, thats an opininion. I also dont put lables on people who have a differant opinion to me, thats childish, 'Anti fans' embarrassing, it really is! Its also limiting your own ability to form opinions on players, have you rated every player ever to play for us? Because if not, you become a hypocrite....or 'Anti fan' as you like to call it

Why dont we leave leave the lables, grow up a touch and just discuss our different views of the player like adults? Il start...for me, awb's general footballing ability...passing, control, technique etc is way behind his peers, its shocking imo, his 1 on 1 defending is world class, his all round defensive awareness is average at best.

Other managers gameplan around his weaknesses as a footballer, im not expecting roberto calros at right back, but i expect a player with above average bssics in technique..Awb dosnt possess these.

 

[MadDogg]

This is something I always disagreed with.

I never saw it.

Even then Wan Bissaka has shown signs he can put a deadly cross in, he hardly puts it wide.

Shaw didn't have a good final ball, but he always played a big part in our build-up. The touch, the passing, the interplay with others around him...he always had all of that and what he's showing in those aspects now isn't much different than what he's always done. What's changed now is his final ball into the box and to some extent his willingness to get forward more often.

Fullbacks really need to be able to do one of two things. Either be a classic attacking fullback that runs the wing, stretches the play and puts balls into the box, or be good in the build-up out of the back and helping the midfield control the game. Shaw always did the latter and has had moments of the former, but this season he's put it together and is strongly contributing to both aspects consistently. Hence why he's been one of the best fullbacks in the world this season. Unfortunately AWB doesn't really do either. He'll never be one who will contribute much in the build-up as his passing and control simply isn't good enough and that's not something that he can improve enough, but I am hopeful that he can get himself up to a decent enough level with his attacking wide play. I think his final ball once he gets into position is actually decent already (better than Shaw was before this season), he just needs to get into those positions more often and speed up his combinations with his winger (he too often slows it down when we get into those areas).

 

[Nou_Camp99]

I think AWB has been Oles biggest mistake as Utd boss so far. He's a terrible footballer. Yes he's fantastic in a 1 on 1 situation but the other aspects of defending he isn't that great. And on the ball he's a total liability.

£50m is a complete joke for him I'm afraid. Said it early doors on here when nobody else wanted to say it because he was a new signing. Not good enough for us if we want to win the league.

 

[11101]

He was a bit off the pace last night. I think he needs a rest for Milan.

He is never going to carry the ball up the field like Shaw does and nobody should be expecting him to. It's perfectly normal to have one full back who attacks more than the other. All he needs to do is be the overlapping man a bit more often to stretch opposition defences. If we had a real right midfielder it would take a lot of the pressure of AWB to do it all down that flank.

 

[Rossa]

We do hope that he turns it around like Shaw, but Shaw did show signs (pre injury).

One thing that really pisses me off with awb is how he jogs back. He's done it so often that I don't think it's a fatigue issue

And for a defender his positioning is quite shocking, it's never in sync with the rest of the defence (it's why he gets done with a ball from the oppositions left to their right)

I do wonder about his stamina. As you say, he casually jogs back quite frequently. Valencia and Evra also did that at times, but they almost played like wingers doing so much attacking business. AWB isn't in those positions. Frequenly, one can see a midfielder sprinting past AWB to take the RB position, and they are farther from the ball. Baffling.

 

[arthurka]

Has to improve his bottom level. Again I think it's a confidence thing. He misplaces a couple of passes and it seems to get to him.

Our main midfielder cant string a pass together game after game so no wonder our RB isn´t Pirlo.
But I thought he was extremely sloppy and disjointed from the game to be fair.
To be fair to him he has played a lot and our right side isn´t really functional at all.
He needs competition and a break once in a while. But that doesn´t give him a free pass from playing like yesterday.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

He was a bit off the pace last night. I think he needs a rest for Milan.

He is never going to carry the ball up the field like Shaw does and nobody should be expecting him to. It's perfectly normal to have one full back who attacks more than the other. All he needs to do is be the overlapping man a bit more often to stretch opposition defences. If we had a real right midfielder it would take a lot of the pressure of AWB to do it all down that flank.

We had one last night. James stuck to the wing more than any of our other 'wingers' do and AWB was still crap.

He's just not a good footballer. Very poor on the ball.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I do think its unfair to play him so much, he's obviously very fit and a great athlete but he needs a chance to rest.

I have no idea why we aren't playing Williams more often. A lot of his mistakes seem to be concentration based which could come from fatigue.

We definitely need another Telles type to come in and help this summer.

 

[11101]

We had one last night. James stuck to the wing more than any of our other 'wingers' do and AWB was still crap.

He's just not a good footballer. Very poor on the ball.

James? Not exactly prime Figo is he.

Consider the break we had in the second half where Greenwood was running beyond the defenders for Rashford to play it forward. That would never happen on our right flank.

 

[Skåre Willoch]

He needs to put in some extra shifts in training to learn how to pass the ball properly. If/when he can wrap his head around how to pass the ball, he'll be great. Until then, he's an offensive liability.

I believe he'll come good, though.

 

[Marwood]

He was a bit off the pace last night. I think he needs a rest for Milan.

He is never going to carry the ball up the field like Shaw does and nobody should be expecting him to. It's perfectly normal to have one full back who attacks more than the other. All he needs to do is be the overlapping man a bit more often to stretch opposition defences. If we had a real right midfielder it would take a lot of the pressure of AWB to do it all down that flank.

He won't be rested for Milan or Leicester.

He's got the international break coming up to recharge the batteries.

I really like him, there aren't many left who crunch into tackles like he does.

Last night isn't down to fatigue though, it's a pattern him and a few others follow. Their technique is patchy so if they have a bad start is usually means the entire game will be a struggle.

 

[Lassitude42]

Not a good game from him yesterday but he's been good overall this season

 

[Nou_Camp99]

James? Not exactly prime Figo is he.

Consider the break we had in the second half where Greenwood was running beyond the defenders for Rashford to play it forward. That would never happen on our right flank.

He isn't close. But my point was that no matter how good he is, AWB had an actual winger ahead of him yesterday rather than an inside forward such as Greenwood or Rashford and he was still comfortably the worst player for us.

Wan Bissaka has been Ole's biggest mistake at United so far for me. I just don't see it at all. He's a really poor footballer. Way too sloppy on the ball.

 

[DWelbz19]

Personally I think his ceiling is quite low, and it'll be a shocking signing considering we spent £50m mostly on potential that doesn't really exist.

He can become a very good defender if he learns to defend his back post but he's just not a natural footballer. It's quite similar to Smalling but when he receives a ball, he needs to take a touch just to get the ball in his possession before he can think about making his next move. Shaw who's a much more natural footballer can take the ball in his stride and put himself in a position to make his next pass, cross or dribble. It doesn't sound like much but his touch just doesn't win him enough time on the ball. I was a Smalling fan, and I think you can get away with it to a degree as a CB. But a modern full back is actually only a part time defender playing for a top team.

And I really don’t think you can coach or simply play that out of a player, either. He simply needs to open his whole body every single time he makes a pass under a sniff of pressure. He’s an easy pressure point in the high press, and a player you leave free when you’re defending. Those aren’t great signs at all.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

I thought his ball playing was looking better recently, but it was back to last-season level last night. Really sloppy. The accuracy of his passing was woeful.

Also, the foul on Antonio which he got booked for was a daft decision from him. Just follow him down the line stay goal side, don't let him get a cross in. He was never winning that, it was clear even before he started to slide in. He's a great 1v1 defender, and he could be arguably the best if he learns that not everything needs to be a sliding tackle. Once he gets booked, you might as well cut off one of his legs. The one thing he is world class at becomes restricted.

I think he's had a decent season, and some improvements have been made, but last night was poor.

 

[Lentwood]

I’m a big fan but he has some frustratingly basic issues that you feel could be quite easily ironed out.

The one that was driving me nuts yesterday was his reluctance to pass forwards or into midfield. He sees the pass is on but doesn’t have the confidence to make it so has the extra touch, turns backwards and puts us under pressure.

Compare this to Shaw who is technically amazing for a LB and how he launches so many attacks through quick passes down the line and into midfield and then going for the return pass.

 

[11101]

And I really don’t think you can coach or simply play that out of a player, either. He simply needs to open his whole body every single time he makes a pass under a sniff of pressure. He’s an easy pressure point in the high press, and a player you leave free when you’re defending. Those aren’t great signs at all.

I think it's because he never uses his left foot. Whichever foot you pass with puts a curl on to the ball and when you want to pass with an opponent in front of you, it's not just the arc behind the opponent that is cut out, there's quite a bit extra that will be taken out by the curl of the ball. A right footer on the right flank can pass down the wing very effectively, but there is a big chunk of the pitch ahead of them that they can't reliably pass into unless they can switch onto their left foot.

 

[DWelbz19]

I think it's because he never uses his left foot. Whichever foot you pass with puts a curl on to the ball and when you want to pass with an opponent in front of you, it's not just the arc behind the opponent that is cut out, there's quite a bit extra that will be taken out by the curl of the ball. A right footer on the right flank can pass down the wing very effectively, but there is a big chunk of the pitch ahead of them that they can't reliably pass into unless they can switch onto their left foot.

Best solution? Get him against a brick wall with a tennis ball whacking it again and again on his left?