[Rozay]

Nonsense. DJ has done a fine job in the absence of our main attackers, he's got searing pace, an incredible work rate and a decent eye for goal. There are areas where he should and most likely will improve with more experience, such as decision making, composure and awareness but he's already useful to us.

To call him shit is very harsh as he's been useful in many games for us lately. I never expect him to be starting quality and he'll probably move on in future but he's definitely been worth his place this season.

It isn’t nonsense at all. He’s rubbish. You expect him to leave soon enough because he’s rubbish. He has been linked with Leeds, a team who are 11th and have two better wingers than him. Him having 3 decent games this season is not earning his keep at United.

And so what if he has searing pace and incredible work rate? It’s a pity that he’s a poor footballer. With the strength of a school girl to go with it.

 

[SAFMUTD]

We shouldnt slash him, he's a limited player who gives everything he's got on the pitch. He's not skilled nor smart, he's fast and hardworking. We all know what he can give and he gives his entire effort every game all game, you dont see him walking around or disastracted, gives his best 100% of the time.

Eventhough his best is not enough to be playing for ManUtd, thats all we can ask from a player. We can slash Ole for picking him or the board for not giving Ole more options but we should not slash James.

 

[GlasgowCeltic]

He’s not in the Young and Park bracket, he’s in the Richardson and Chadwick bracket, though they at least cost nothing and we’re quickly moved on

 

[Rozay]

Doubt that very much, especially as I would think we would have some young wide players who will surpass him

Odd that you highlighted Park and not Young - a Young who was probably the best winger in the country for a period, made the team of the year twice, and won YPOTY I’m sure. And even then, at the height of his powers as an England regular, HE was only good enough to really be a squad player at United. James is not good enough to be a squad player here.

Lingard has never been a nailed on starting level player. Yet he’s been a regular England international and a squad player here. Our own manager was never a regular. He scored what, 126 goals for us and was a squad player. Diogo Jota was bought by Liverpool to be a squad player. CHO, Ziyech, Pulisic, Werner are all competing with each other in a rotation. James has no business at United. He’s no better than El-Ghazi or Trezeguet at Villa, who are fecking squad players there.

 

[Cassidy]

Odd that you highlighted Park and not Young - a Young who was probably the best winger in the country for a period, made the team of the year twice, and won YPOTY I’m sure. And even then, at the height of his powers as an England regular, HE was only good enough to really be a squad player at United. James is not good enough to be a squad player here.

Lingard has never been a nailed on starting level player. Yet he’s been a regular England international and a squad player here. Our own manager was never a regular. He scored what, 126 goals for us and was a squad player. Diogo Jota was bought by Liverpool to be a squad player. CHO, Ziyech, Pulisic, Werner are all competing with each other in a rotation. James has no business at United. He’s no better than El-Ghazi or Trezeguet at Villa, who are fecking squad players there.

Wasn't intentional

 

[kouroux]

If I'm Diallo, and the coach keeps this guy on the pitch for 90 mins playing crap and doesn't give me a chance after scoring in the previous game I wouldn't know how motivated I'll be to training the next day.

After a couple of months at the club ? You're bonkers bro.

 

[AltiUn]

Some of the fouls that players get away with against James are an absolute joke.

 

[Lappen]

Nani was a good squad player, Ji Sun Park, even Young. This guy is no where near any of them

I think you have a good point with your post. But like many its also kind of a denied vue that we are not a team that always compete for thee top place in the league and champions league and FA cup like we did under sir Alex. We have been struggling quit bad for eight years, and maybe now we starting to close in on the standard we had and the standard we expect.
Like I don't think the starting 11 today is better than the starting 11 ten years ago, the bench as well would not have a place in the ten years ago team.
Quite a good reason why the players we buy needs to be starters. Not benchplayers.
When we put players like the ones you mention on the bench today there will be issues. See DvdB.
The days we have a team with the same quality on the bench as in the good old days will come, but we are not there yet. Until then, James is ok.

 

[Raven]

It isn’t nonsense at all. He’s rubbish. You expect him to leave soon enough because he’s rubbish. He has been linked with Leeds, a team who are 11th and have two better wingers than him. Him having 3 decent games this season is not earning his keep at United.

And so what if he has searing pace and incredible work rate? It’s a pity that he’s a poor footballer. With the strength of a school girl to go with it.

I never said I expect him to leave soon, I said I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves in future because that's what squad players do. He's ensured that our right side is protected but obviously he's limited going forward which is why he's a squad player. He will develop as he gets older and will become a better player but I'd imagine he'll move on in search of 1st team football in the next few years.

He should be limited to sub appearances and games where there's going to be miles of space in behind and that's exactly what we need squad players for.

 

[Cassidy]

I think you have a good point with your post. But like many its also kind of a denied vue that we are not a team that always compete for thee top place in the league and champions league and FA cup like we did under sir Alex. We have been struggling quit bad for eight years, and maybe now we starting to close in on the standard we had and the standard we expect.
Like I don't think the starting 11 today is better than the starting 11 ten years ago, the bench as well would not have a place in the ten years ago team.
Quite a good reason why the players we buy needs to be starters. Not benchplayers.
When we put players like the ones you mention on the bench today there will be issues. See DvdB.
The days we have a team with the same quality on the bench as in the good old days will come, but we are not there yet. Until then, James is ok.

We are aiming to get back to this, and so its a moot point. James isn't good enough for where we are now let alone where we want to be next season.

 

[anant]

Come on, he was bad yesterday, but I think it was pretty obvious why he played right?

Surely, people can see that it was because of his defensive workrate and them having Hernandez back. Amad - as good as he may be going forward- is still a kid and you don't want to see whether he can cope in a physically demanding situation in a KO game.

 

[Rozay]

I never said I expect him to leave soon, I said I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves in future because that's what squad players do. He's ensured that our right side is protected but obviously he's limited going forward which is why he's a squad player. He will develop as he gets older and will become a better player but I'd imagine he'll move on in search of 1st team football in the next few years.

He should be limited to sub appearances and games where there's going to be miles of space in behind and that's exactly what we need squad players for.

No it isn’t. We need them to play, including from the start, when others can’t, which has no bearing on the amount of space which may or may not be available in the game. We also need them to push those who are playing to maintain levels with some level of competition (unless of course we have the likes of Ronaldo starting, which we don’t) - but James is incapable of doing that.

Do you have an example of a PL winger who you think is NOT good enough to be in our squad? Or up to 3?

 

[berbatrick]

Nani was a good squad player, Ji Sun Park, even Young. This guy is no where near any of them

Nani was POTY in a title winning season and one of the most productive players in the league over 3 seasons, that's not a squad player

 

[Lappen]

We are aiming to get back to this, and so its a moot point. James isn't good enough for where we are now let alone where we want to be next season.

You are absolutely right... Do you think we are there next season?
I believe hes good enough for now, hopefully not next season.

 

[Cassidy]

You are absolutely right... Do you think we are there next season?
I believe hes good enough for now, hopefully not next season.

He obviously isn't good enough for now hence why we have been struggling for goals of late

 

[Cassidy]

Nani was POTY in a title winning season and one of the most productive players in the league over 3 seasons, that's not a squad player

Im sure he was here for longer than 3 seasons

 

[berbatrick]

Im sure he was here for longer than 3 seasons

Yes, before that he was 20-year-old backup to the best player in the world.

 

[Cassidy]

Yes, before that he was 20-year-old backup to the best player in the world.

And after? Because he was clearly a squad player for the majority of his time at the club

 

[berbatrick]

And after?

ronaldo left in 2009, he became a automatic starter jan 2010, and won POTY 2010-11, continued in the team as first-choice till early 2012.

o'shea, brown, park, young after 2013, those are squad players.

 

[Cassidy]

ronaldo left in 2009, he became a automatic starter jan 2010, and won POTY 2010-11, continued in the team as first-choice till early 2012.

o'shea, brown, park, young after 2013, those are squad players.

2013, 2014, 2015....

 

[Gandalf]

It isn’t nonsense at all. He’s rubbish. You expect him to leave soon enough because he’s rubbish. He has been linked with Leeds, a team who are 11th and have two better wingers than him. Him having 3 decent games this season is not earning his keep at United.

And so what if he has searing pace and incredible work rate? It’s a pity that he’s a poor footballer. With the strength of a school girl to go with it.

Despite being "rubbish" he was comfortably one of our best players in yesterdays game and has contributed more this season than either Martial or Greenwood. In a period of rebuilding he has been a valuable squad player who has given everything he has for the shirt and although we will obviously upgrade the position eventually we will easily recoup our initial fee and probably turn a profit when we move him on.

We could do with a few more "rubbish" players like Dan rather than a perma injured veteran striker who sucks up mega wages whilst deciding if and when he feels able to play to name but one.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

I happy with his current form. He is becoming more effective down the right.

 

[Cassidy]

Standards on the floor

 

[Bebestation]

I've seen young players struggle but I've not seen them consistently make the wrong decisions.

That's why I dont really believe in James. It would be great if he once or twice made the right decision for his team mates but he simply doesn't have anything in his locker other than dribbling in my eyes.

 

[Lappen]

He obviously isn't good enough for now hence why we have been struggling for goals of late

I thought we were talking about him as a sub. And for that and only that I believe he is good enough for the moment and probably next season. He scored 5 this season and with that he is 6 in the team, and if you look at GPM he is nr 4 with only Bruno, Rashford, Cavani in front. Not to bad. I dont know ho scored the most the last 10 games, but I got a feeling he is quit high in that list.
But still. I thought we talked about him as a sub.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I’ve noticed on the caf that once you caveat it with ‘squad player’ - there is no standard too low for anyone. If a player is shit, that’s fine, he can just be a squad player. There are players, even PL level players, that are not good enough to be squad players at United - and Dan James in that category.

Bingo. We heard the same stuff with Lingard and Pereira for years. When will people realise that just running around a lot isn't enough? what other top teams have a player like James in theirs?

He can be useful against some teams that have a left back who flys forward but his offensive output is extremely basic.

I think he did 1 good thing all game and that was a cross for Pogba to head at the back post, that's it.

We have to remember though this isn't on James, he's trying his best. It's the club's fault for not reinforcing the wide position for years. We've been crying out for a creative winger for god knows how long.

 

[Cassidy]

I thought we were talking about him as a sub. And for that and only that I believe he is good enough for the moment and probably next season. He scored 5 this season and with that he is 6 in the team, and if you look at GPM he is nr 4 with only Bruno, Rashford, Cavani in front. Not to bad. I dont know ho scored the most the last 10 games, but I got a feeling he is quit high in that list.
But still. I thought we talked about him as a sub.

A sub is required when a starter is injured (could be long term) or out of form. He isn't good enough, comparing him against below par seasons of Greenwood and Martial doesn't add up. The later has shown himself also to not be good enough by the way.

 

[Cassidy]

I've seen young players struggle but I've not seen them consistently make the wrong decisions.

That's why I dont really believe in James. It would be great if he once or twice made the right decision for his team mates but he simply doesn't have anything in his locker other than dribbling in my eyes.

He isn't even that good at that

 

[Lappen]

I do understand what a sub is but it was you that compered him with the others attackers when you say hes the reason we struggles with scoring.
I don't expect him to be our solution in goalscoring. I leave that to the starters we do have. My expectation with him is to contribute with a goal now and then and hard work. Like he is doing.

There can't be many players you think is good enough.

A sub is required when a starter is injured (could be long term) or out of form. He isn't good enough, comparing him against below par seasons of Greenwood and Martial doesn't add up. The later has shown himself also to not be good enough by the way.

I do understand what a sub is but it was you that compered him with the others attackers when you say hes the reason we struggles with scoring.
I don't expect him to be our solution in goalscoring. I leave that to the starters we do have. My expectation with him is to contribute with a goal now and then and hard work. Like he is doing and like most people expects from subs.

There can't be many players you think is good enough.

Like I said earlier, looking forward to the day we have a lot better subs than what we got today.

 

[Cassidy]

I do understand what a sub is but it was you that compered him with the others attackers when you say hes the reason we struggles with scoring.
I don't expect him to be our solution in goalscoring. I leave that to the starters we do have. My expectation with him is to contribute with a goal now and then and hard work. Like he is doing.

There can't be many players you think is good enough.

I do understand what a sub is but it was you that compered him with the others attackers when you say hes the reason we struggles with scoring.
I don't expect him to be our solution in goalscoring. I leave that to the starters we do have. My expectation with him is to contribute with a goal now and then and hard work. Like he is doing and like most people expects from subs.

There can't be many players you think is good enough.

Like I said earlier, looking forward to the day we have a lot better subs than what we got today.

I didn't say he was the reason, and as an attacking player in our squad he needs to be a solution to the team scoring goals or he isn't good enough in my opinion

 

[Lappen]

I didn't say he was the reason, and as an attacking player in our squad he needs to be a solution to the team scoring goals or he isn't good enough in my opinion

Ok. I respect your opinion and we both wants the team to be good unough to attract great players even if it means to sit on the bench.

 

[spiriticon]

He's not even as good as Valencia at right wing....

Beckham > Ronaldo > Nani > Valencia > James...

What have we been doing with that right wing for the past 20 years?

 

[Rozay]

Despite being "rubbish" he was comfortably one of our best players in yesterdays game and has contributed more this season than either Martial or Greenwood. In a period of rebuilding he has been a valuable squad player who has given everything he has for the shirt and although we will obviously upgrade the position eventually we will easily recoup our initial fee and probably turn a profit when we move him on.

We could do with a few more "rubbish" players like Dan rather than a perma injured veteran striker who sucks up mega wages whilst deciding if and when he feels able to play to name but one.

No, we couldn’t do with more rubbish players like Dan James. This is a forum for conversation, which means it is in reality, a forum for argument. And for the sake of argument, you are trying to, in a round way say Dan James isn’t a rubbish player. Yet you will not be in the slightest disappointed of he left tomorrow. Despite him ‘giving everything for the shirt’. The reason you won’t be disappointed, is because despite giving everything - he’s rubbish.

 

[Brightonian]

I want to like him. His attitude and workrate are obviously great. And occasionally when he does rev the engine and run at the heart of the opposition defence, as he did a couple of times against Milan, you can see his appeal.

But for me it ultimately comes down to this: he's only ever going to be effective on the counter-attack, and his decision-making and passing aren't good enough for counter-attacking football. So there's no use for him here, really. The failure to put Greenwood through against Milan was his worst yet in a string of counter-ruining bad decisions and passes.

 

[Foxbatt]

People talk about his poor decision making. I entirely agree with that. But isn't that something the coaching staff has to rectify? I do not think if he deliberately ignores their instructions all the time, then they would still select him to play?

 

[Gandalf]

No, we couldn’t do with more rubbish players like Dan James. This is a forum for conversation, which means it is in reality, a forum for argument. And for the sake of argument, you are trying to, in a round way say Dan James isn’t a rubbish player. Yet you will not be in the slightest disappointed of he left tomorrow. Despite him ‘giving everything for the shirt’. The reason you won’t be disappointed, is because despite giving everything - he’s rubbish.

I used the quotation marks because he is patently not rubbish. We obviously don't agree on his value but I could name 10 first team players who are a bigger problem than Dan James and all of them cost more and or on higher wages, attacking him is just going after the low hanging fruit but if that is what you want to do, knock yourself out.

 

[MU655]

He's not even as good as Valencia at right wing....

Beckham > Ronaldo > Nani > Valencia >>>>>>>James...

What have we been doing with that right wing for the past 20 years?

Not even close to Valencia. Valencia was arguably the best right-winger in the Premier League in 11/12. James doesn't have anywhere near that ability level.

I think that is more the reality, although I would put Ronaldo first.

 

[Rozay]

I used the quotation marks because he is patently not rubbish. We obviously don't agree on his value but I could name 10 first team players who are a bigger problem than Dan James and all of them cost more and or on higher wages, attacking him is just going after the low hanging fruit but if that is what you want to do, knock yourself out.

That isn’t the metric and has no determination as to whether James is a good player or not. Unless you think that you can name 10 United players who are worse than James. But if you can, knock yourself out.

Players have various issues. Some players should leave because of a poor attitude. Some because of poor fitness. Some because they haven’t settled in the area/country. And some because they aren’t good enough. I think it’s clear which reason applies to Dan James. Because he needs to leave due to being a rubbish player, has no bearing on whether Bailly needs to leave for being too injury prone (but not rubbish). Rubbishness is not the only problem for a player, agreed, but it is James’ problem. He isn’t injury prone, he isn’t overpaid, he doesn’t have a bad attitude. His own problem is just that he isn’t very good, sadly. He seems a good bloke, and I’d never say anything against the man. I’m just calling it, as I’ve watched him enough times to form a view. And mine is that he isn’t good enough for United. In another player’s thread, I may well be saying something else.

 

[lost7]

I think some of you are being a little harsh for his performance against Milan. He was actually up against one of the best full backs in the league with Hernandez and I thought he handled it well. Yes, he has some serious limitations and should be a squad player only, but I reckon he can be useful for us even long term. Especially if he keeps getting better...

 

[Gandalf]

That isn’t the metric and has no determination as to whether James is a good player or not. Unless you think that you can name 10 United players who are worse than James. But if you can, knock yourself out.

Players have various issues. Some players should leave because of a poor attitude. Some because of poor fitness. Some because they haven’t settled in the area/country. And some because they aren’t good enough. I think it’s clear which reason applies to Dan James. Because he needs to leave due to being a rubbish player, has no bearing on whether Bailly needs to leave for being too injury prone (but not rubbish). Rubbishness is not the only problem for a player, agreed, but it is James’ problem. He isn’t injury prone, he isn’t overpaid, he doesn’t have a bad attitude. His own problem is just that he isn’t very good, sadly. He seems a good bloke, and I’d never say anything against the man. I’m just calling it, as I’ve watched him enough times to form a view. And mine is that he isn’t good enough for United. In another player’s thread, I may well be saying something else.

I will leave it there. My issue as much as anything is with the use of the term rubbish but I agree we can do a lot better for the position, I consider a rubbish player to be some one with no ability or value and by that metric Dan does not fit but clearly it is more of a generic catch all term for players you don't rate as United level and that is fair enough.