Exactly. We had the same stuff about Falcao earlier this season. How it's difficult for him coming on as a sub. Tough titties. For players trying to force their way into the team, they need to make the most of their sub appearances and force the manager to start them in the next game. Van Gaal has shown himself willing to do that with (for example) Hererra so I'm sure he'd start Januzaj more if he made an impression as a sub. It's how he got into the first XI last season anyway.
15
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 21
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
Exactly. We had the same stuff about Falcao earlier this season. How it's difficult for him coming on as a sub. Tough titties. For players trying to force their way into the team, they need to make the most of their sub appearances and force the manager to start them in the next game. Van Gaal has shown himself willing to do that with (for example) Hererra so I'm sure he'd start Januzaj more if he made an impression as a sub. It's how he got into the first XI last season anyway.
No he hasn't. In fact Januzaj has had almost twice as much time as Wilson.
I don't think he has. Herrera has been dropped permanently IMO and will only start games when we have no other options available.
I think it's not as simple as he's not played well, so, he is on the bench because of that. I think it's deeper than that, just like the case of Herrera. If you rate a player, you'll find room for them and play them into form at times, it's not like we don't know how good Adnan is/can be.
I thought the stats might make me look a fool there, that's why I included the 'or atleast' bit.
To clarify, Wilson has come on in consecutive games for the most part, almost always in a partnership up front. In terms of substitutions, I feel like Wilson has been brought on with more time to go, in a good run of games, and in one position. Januzaj hasn't really been afforded that.
Januzaj needs to do more for sure. In comparison to Wilson as impact off the bench, the only thought to Van Gaal could be that Wilson is being disciplined and following instructions, 'doing a job' or the role he's been given.
The difference here though is that Falcao was injured, and we had no one else.
Also your statement is incorrect Januzaj has played more minutes than Wilson.
There was a game, a month or two back, when he came on off the bench - played well - and started the next game. Can't remember the fixtures but it was a big deal at the time. Van Gaal was unusually outspoken in his praise. Unfortunately, Hererra was a bit crap in that next game and got benched again straight away. Still, can't say he didn't get his chance.
You can't expect a manager to pick players based on form they showed when he wasn't in charge. Same reason he's probably not too keen on Rafael.
Good versus Hull, average versus Stoke. Benched straightaway after Stoke game. I think van Gaal basically doesn't like him at all. There are a few players at the club van Gaal doesn't like IMO and a few that he loves and will play regardless of form. He's apparently always had his favourites.
I meant more time as a sub. My bad.
In which Januzaj still might have had more time, but it doesn't feel like it. I clarified why in my post above.
Even if Wilson had seen more minutes than Januzaj, what's the big deal?
Maybe van Gaal doesn't see Januzaj as better than Wilson.
I'm not even sure why Wilson's relevant.
Maybe van Gaal doesn't see Januzaj as better than Wilson.
I'm not even sure why Wilson's relevant.
That's the big deal, I'd have Januzaj leagues ahead of Wilson and would find it weird to say the least if LVG prefers Wilson.
Except they play totally different positions so I don't really get the comparison. Wilson has been getting playing time as a Striker because we had no one else. Similarly the same for Blackett and McNair.
We have plenty of midfield players, some not getting games like Herrera now, and Mata earlier in thew season.
Exactly. Januzaj can play either as 10 or on the wing. As a 10 he's competing with Rooney and Mata, isn't as good as either of them and Rooney's the only one of them to miss any games this season. We don't play with wingers, so the closest Januzaj will get to games on the wing is as a wing-back, which is something he's really not suited for and is competing with Valencia, Young, Shaw and Rafael. All of whom are streets ahead of him defensively, which is a key part of that role.
Wilson is playing as one of four strikers competing for two places. Falcao's been injured for a decent chunk of this season and Rooney's been playing mainly in central midfield. Plus Wilson has an attribute that nobody else being picked in his position has. Pace.
All in all, the fact that Januzaj has still got almost twice as many minutes as Wilson shows that's arguably more - rather than less - highly rated than the younger player.
If/when we finally drop this godawful 352, I expect the gap between them in terms of time on the pitch to get even larger. I'm hopeful that the reason he's not going out on loan is because Van Gaal is seriously considering a change in formation which will give more opportunities to conventional wide men. I live in hope anyway!
I really doubt that tbh. I think he's treating Adnan as a special case. At the moment, with the system we are playing, he is surplus. But, surplus because he feels 3-5-2 is the best system to play whilst we do the rest of the rebuilding process (likely summer). As, Januzaj is in no way a wing back then, he will surely come back into play next season when we should have a more balanced squad. That is assuming we have a successful summer, recruiting players!
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Hope somehow he gets some minutes this season and does not get sold (or wants to leave) thereafter. Next season will be a fresh start. All he can really do is be a keen student, apply himself in training and impress the coaches and by god give them a very good reason not to buy more competition for him.
This season
Ball retention
78% Januzaj
65% Zaha
Good, but Zaha's more of a risk taker and not playing for a possession team. Still nice to see Januzaj despite a few poor touches isn't giving the ball away much.
Dribbling
41% Januzaj
38% Zaha
Not much in it but not done bad in that respect.
Crossing
22% Zaha
20% Januzaj
Surprisingly Zaha's been better.
Tackling
50% Zaha
25% Januzaj
The main reason he isn't getting games.
Shots on target
41% Zaha
7% Januzaj
Quite abysmal really. 4 goals in his senior career explains why he's not playing number 10 ahead of Mata and Rooney.
Ball retention
78% Januzaj
65% Zaha
Good, but Zaha's more of a risk taker and not playing for a possession team. Still nice to see Januzaj despite a few poor touches isn't giving the ball away much.
Dribbling
41% Januzaj
38% Zaha
Not much in it but not done bad in that respect.
Crossing
22% Zaha
20% Januzaj
Surprisingly Zaha's been better.
Tackling
50% Zaha
25% Januzaj
The main reason he isn't getting games.
Shots on target
41% Zaha
7% Januzaj
Quite abysmal really. 4 goals in his senior career explains why he's not playing number 10 ahead of Mata and Rooney.
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Ridiculous to interpret stats given the limited game time. The overall minutes is way too few for any meaningful analysis.
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Isn't most of what's said about Januzaj ridiculous to interpret given the limited game time?
Their entire Premier League careers then.
Ball retention
Januzaj 73%
Zaha 57%
Dribbling
Januzaj 51%
Zaha 47%
Crossing
Januzaj 29%
Zaha 19%
Tackling
Zaha 55%
Januzaj 35%
Shots on target
Zaha 39%
Januzaj 21%
Januzaj retains the ball more, yet isn't in the team as much to be the wildcard as Zaha is. His dribbling is marginally better, his crossing quite a bit better, his tackling substantially worse and his finishing substantially worse.
Januzaj can play up front though, he'd be a lot better there than at LWB too I'd imagine.
I'm not entirely sure what you're point is, and why you're comparing him to Zaha.
He played 27 games last season, 15 games as starter and 12 games subbed on. Of the games he started he was subbed off 7 times.
*
shot accuracy 43% v 44% (mata)
pass accuracy 82 % v 90%(mata)
chances created 31 v 27 (mata) (key pass or assist)
goals scored 4 v 5 (mata)
tackle success rate 42% v 29% (mata)
*This season
11 appearances, 4 starts, 2 subbed off, 7 subbed on
9 chances created (key pass or assist)
shot accuracy 9% 1 on target, 10 off
82% pass accuracy
43 % tackle success rate. (3/7)
*all data from Squawka
So, He's not playing well this season. He's clearly demonstrated last season he can make a significant contribution. Doesn't worry me. Why? Because he's young, we're playing a formation that doesn't suit him, and he's shown that he can come on and change games. He's also an exciting player to watch. With the dull football being served up of late, it's good to know that we have players like him, who when they're ready, can induce fear into the opposition.......
My point is, Januzaj is terrible defensively and terrible infront of goal, even compared to somebody like Zaha. He's a great crosser, creates decent amount of chances and doesn't lose the ball as much as Zaha without taking as many risks.
They are United players of similar age, playing in a similar position. One of them is derided as a failure, the other is talked about as a future Hazard or Silva. The difference on the pitch is limited.
That stat is quite simply untrue. Januzaj had 47 shots and got 12 on target (26%). Mata had 29 and got 11 on target (38%)
Even the way of getting to Januzaj's 43% stat, taking out the blocked shots to leave 12 from 28 (43%), Mata is 11 from 18 (60%).
I've said Januzaj's ball retention was better than Zaha's. He also had way more games than Mata and Zaha, so total chances created and goals is bound to be higher and not an accurate representation, like per game or per shot is.
Those stats are nonsense again. Januzaj; 24 tackles and 31 fouls. Mata; 17 tackles and 7 fouls. How on earth do you reach Januzaj being a better tackler than Mata.
He doesn't induce fear in opposition teams. No more than Bolasie, Zaha, Mahrez or Schlupp.
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My point is, Januzaj is terrible defensively and terrible infront of goal, even compared to somebody like Zaha. He's a great crosser, creates decent amount of chances and doesn't lose the ball as much as Zaha without taking as many risks.
They are United players of similar age, playing in a similar position.
That stat is quite simply untrue. Januzaj's had 47 shots and got 12 on target (26%). Mata had 29 and got 11 on target (38%)
Even the way of getting to Januzaj's 43% stat, taking out the blocked shots to leave 12 from 28 (43%), Mata is 11 from 18 (60%).
I've said Januzaj's ball retention was better than Zaha's. He also had way more games than Mata and Zaha, so total chances created and goals is bound to be higher and not an accurate representation, like per game or per shot is.
Those stats are nonsense again. Januzaj 24 tackles and 31 fouls. Mata 17 tackles and 7 fouls. How on earth do you reach Januzaj being a better tackler than Mata.
He doesn't induce fear in opposition teams. No more than Bolasie, Zaha, Mahrez or Schlupp.
My point is that stats don't tell the full story. In my book Zaha is in no way comparable to Januzaj in terms of ability. Call me deluded but I seriously believe we have an utter gem on our books here, in Januzaj, and a dodgy start to this season won't change that. You can bring up all the stats you like but I wouldn't trade him for anyone (honestly). Come back here next January and let's see if I'm talking tripe.
Zaha is 2 years older and is less talented than Januzaj. Anyone that watches them can see the difference in talent. They are different players too. Zaha is a winger and Januzaj is an attacking midfielder capable of playing out wide. Zaha is more athletic and his main threat is his dribbling because of his pace. Januzaj is a better passer, that has the ability to dribble. Januzaj has been bad this season and has still produced passes Zaha can only dream of.
He's having a bad season, but that doesn't make Zaha the better prospect.
What the hell is this? Who gives a feck how he compares to Zaha?
Januzaj is a brilliant talent who's having a bad run of form. It happens to young players. He will get back on track once we inevitably abandon the 532 nonsense. Not much more to it
This. If we'd bothered to play him this season then he'd be progressing nicely, I have no doubt. Just goes to show how fickle some people are that they are questioning him.
There's no real mystery why he's struggling, it's just game time. He looks rusty and shot of confidence. Compare that to the player last season who, at 18, took the game by the scruff of the neck when senior players were failing. It's quite sad to see him reduced to this little confidence now and how van Gaal is not nurturing his development. We've produced many great players by building belief and confidence until they naturally carry it to the highest stage of the game. Now we're tearing him apart.
Exactomundo!
:leavebritneyalonegif:
Amazing the way young players bring out so many caftards inner drama queen. He's not the first young player to have a bad season after a good one (bad half season, to be precise) and he won't be the last. Loads of examples under loads of managers, including Fergie himself. Most high profile recent example would be Sterling at Liverpool. A bit of time off is the best response.
There's plenty of reasons to have a go at Van Gaal for events on the pitch this season but let's not lose the run of ourselves here. This really isn't that big a deal.
Strongly disagree. Caftards are 57% less likely to have a go at Zaha than Januzaj, stats speak for themselves really. He's a failure.
But has Adnan played enough this season for anyone to say he's having a bad season for any other reason than not playing enough. He was thrown into action in some of this seasons biggest games for some strange reason and not played against lesser opposition. Its all very odd.
Chicken and egg. Is he not playing because he'a out of form, or out of form because he's not playing? Bit of both probably. No big deal though. If he's as good as we think he is he'll force his way back into the team enough. And I think he's very very good. Just a bit yong and lernin.
Yong and Lernin. Pogue you've been told off today already am i right?? Anyway dis kid I actually think is the closest thing to a young Bergkamp I've seen but his progression to that position looks a long long way off right now. LVG has his ways. I guess a big game player doesnt exist for example in his world. If you aint a big trainer on Tues morning your aint nothin...
Might be considered blasphemous here, I know. But what if . . . he just isn't actually *that* good?
I'm not necessarily saying this is my opinion - frankly, I haven't seen enough of him to judge. I have, however, seen every game he's played for the United senior side. And i've seen him do a lot of good stuff - score great goals, produce breathtaking moments of individual skill based on his dribbling ability and balance, clever little passes, taking games by the scruff of the neck. But i've never seen him do it over a sustained period, where you are left in no doubt that this is an amazing player you're watching.
I've also seen a lot of average to poor performances from him, especially over the last 6-12 months. Mishitting crosses frequently, floating around on the periphery of games, making bad decisions. Much of this could be put down to him being young and inconsistent, as most young players except the odd few freaks are.
There is also the possibility, though, that he won't turn out to be the world class - or even United class - talent some tout him as, and that his contribution last season was overstated as people desperately tried to search for positives amidst the sea of gloom.
</devils advocate>
I'm not necessarily saying this is my opinion - frankly, I haven't seen enough of him to judge. I have, however, seen every game he's played for the United senior side. And i've seen him do a lot of good stuff - score great goals, produce breathtaking moments of individual skill based on his dribbling ability and balance, clever little passes, taking games by the scruff of the neck. But i've never seen him do it over a sustained period, where you are left in no doubt that this is an amazing player you're watching.
I've also seen a lot of average to poor performances from him, especially over the last 6-12 months. Mishitting crosses frequently, floating around on the periphery of games, making bad decisions. Much of this could be put down to him being young and inconsistent, as most young players except the odd few freaks are.
There is also the possibility, though, that he won't turn out to be the world class - or even United class - talent some tout him as, and that his contribution last season was overstated as people desperately tried to search for positives amidst the sea of gloom.
</devils advocate>
Van Gaal is no mug though. Surely he understands that he can't impress in 10 minutes every few months. If he wants to see what he's about then he needs a good run of games. Plus, in response to your other point, I see no reason as to why Januzaj needed or still needs a break. He basically had the summer off.
You might think this isn't that big of a deal but if the end of the season comes and he's still barely played, then that's a big deal in my opinion. And I see no reason why his ccircumstances will change the way things are going.
Aye, you can't rule out that possibility. More Macheda than Ronaldo. He was actually a lot more inconsistent last season than you'd think from many comments in this thread. At times very good, at times not good at all.
He does seem to be sprinkled with star-dust though. Got that je ne sais quoi.
I'm not saying he's physically jaded. Just that it can be good for a young player who's struggling to live up to the hype to be taken out of the spotlight for a while.
My point is that stats don't tell the full story. In my book Zaha is in no way comparable to Januzaj in terms of ability. Call me deluded but I seriously believe we have an utter gem on our books here, in Januzaj, and a dodgy start to this season won't change that. You can bring up all the stats you like but I wouldn't trade him for anyone (honestly). Come back here next January and let's see if I'm talking tripe.
Yeah totally. Its silly how much importance some people place on stats in football, this being a prime example. There are so many intangibles involved. Januzaj has scored 4 EPL goals to Zaha 1 so yeah...
...spot the horseshit. Did you actually watch him play last season?
I think LVG's issue with Adnan is you have no idea what the boy is going to do. I mean we know what Nearly every other player does from Rooney looking right for the cross field ball to valencia using his one trick to try and find a crossing angle for a pacy shot/cross. All things LVG can measure against his philosophy and ideas of where people should be and what they will be doing. This lad its in the lap of the gods. And so far thats not seemingly ok with LVG.
Well I suppose there is no right or wrong way of handling that situation. However, I don't think the problem is even that complex with Januzaj. Give him games and he'll be up and running again, I just think the issue is that he's not played enough.
- Status