We don’t need the best left back in the league and the best right back, just to be able to compete. If AWB improves as much as Shaw did between 23 and 25 years old then we probably will anyway.
Unpopular (AKA fickle) opinion time on AWB.....
- Thread starter Nou_Camp99
- Start date
We don’t need the best left back in the league and the best right back, just to be able to compete. If AWB improves as much as Shaw did between 23 and 25 years old then we probably will anyway.
We definitely need him to improve. Teams pressed us into passing the ball to him and it proved to be very effective. Also, Shaw was always very talented wasn't he? Even at Saints he was very highly regarded. With AWB, I don't see that natural ability. He's fine for now, but ideally we sign Aarons or Laird makes the step up.
Sensible post
he has one type of cross in his arsenal and has managed 15 % cross accuracy from 39 attempts. Luke Shaw 33% from 155 attempts. Telles 21% from 47 attempts. Brandom williams 25% but the least attempts. AWB comfortably the worst. Feel he is more a West Ham, Villa, level FB and will end up there eventually. He could improve thoughso there's thatPeople are talking about rotation, but its pretty uncommon in his role, maybe more so for CL and PL congestion.
At 23, he's on the verge of putting in 3 consecutive seasons of 35+ games in the league. Knowing you have a player who can play week on week is a huge benefit.
At 23, he's on the verge of putting in 3 consecutive seasons of 35+ games in the league. Knowing you have a player who can play week on week is a huge benefit.
For sure. He usually has that right side on lock down. His offensive abilities need a bit of work but i've seen him make decent forward runs and passes. Needs to work on crossing though.
This is facts I'd prefer the fullback to be more prepared for the defensive side of the game because there's no cover for any weaknesses down that particular area. If the centre half's get dragged out wide the defensive line gets totally misaligned. AWB has far less focus on his attacking contribution with a wide player who can both go inside the opposition fullback and out.
Whoa, let's not rose tint too much there. If anything, AWB is more akin to Brown than any of our recent full backs.
They're both defenders first, footballers second. I feel like AWB already has almost as many goals and assists as Brown for us in basically one and a bit seasons.
Brown was mainly used at full back when all the real full backs were broken, or we needed a rare defensive showing.
In fact, the way teams target AWB with a press is really similar to how European clubs in particular would allow Brown to have the ball in his own half.
Anyway, point is AWB is fine, he'll improve but Wesley is not a barometer id be using for measuring any kind of attacking or footballing prowess.
What I meant was not that Brown was good on the ball. As you said, he was a CB that was converted so he was below avg on the ball for a RB. But I still think he was better than AWB on the ball, while not being as good in 1x1 defending.
AWB is probably the best 1x1 defending FB I've ever seen, but he's also the most awkward on-the-ball outfield player I've ever seen. I'm really confused when it's explained that he was a winger at the youth level... was he better on the ball or did he just get by on pace?
I just don't rate the sum of it, not for a club trying to contend for titles at the top level. Like you said, teams can just target him in their defensive set up. You can leave him open when he's inline with the defense or midfield for a pass to feet, inviting the team to pass to him, and from there you can either press him to try and regain possession from a bad pass or something, or you can let him have space and you get a free defender to cover the wing or middle... because it's very likely he isn't going to start a good offensive sequence. I don't think that lockdown defending of a left-winger is worth what you pay in terms of the weakness in your build-up and chance creation.
There are aspects of his forward play that need to improve, but his overall game is very reliable. And he just might be the best 1v1 defender in the PL.
Amazed this thread hasn’t got bumped tonight...
The most limited footballer technically to ever regularly hold down a first team slot in the Prem era.
Every game he starts we may as well just put a sign out saying “Right side, not in business!”
Must have been in a 1 on 1 situation in acres of room for crossing about 20 times in that game. Nearly every time he just passed it backwards.
We will never compete for the biggest honours with a player this limited in such a vital position for attacking in the modern game, regardless of how many slide tackles he makes.
Pep and Klopp could not get this lad to make usual attacking contributions. The ability simply isn’t there.
The most limited footballer technically to ever regularly hold down a first team slot in the Prem era.
Every game he starts we may as well just put a sign out saying “Right side, not in business!”
Must have been in a 1 on 1 situation in acres of room for crossing about 20 times in that game. Nearly every time he just passed it backwards.
We will never compete for the biggest honours with a player this limited in such a vital position for attacking in the modern game, regardless of how many slide tackles he makes.
Pep and Klopp could not get this lad to make usual attacking contributions. The ability simply isn’t there.
Agreed. He lacks the sort of comfort on the ball he should of learned at youth level. He’s just not got it in him.
He’s good 1v1 but bar that he’s a terrible defender. Switches off all the time. Very reactionary.
For some reason my mates seem to think he’s brill.
we will not go anywhere with this guy as our RB, you simply have to be atleast average on the ball to play for a top 6 team at RB... he’s not even achieving mediocrity in that regard.
longing for the days of Valencia at RB and that says a lot!
we will not go anywhere with this guy as our RB, you simply have to be atleast average on the ball to play for a top 6 team at RB... he’s not even achieving mediocrity in that regard.
longing for the days of Valencia at RB and that says a lot!
He is like a very well endowed man that is bad at sex, he can't header properly, cross properly but if a tackle needs to be made, no better man,
He is not good enough defender. One on one tackling looks great but that's not the only one aspect of defending. Infact I would take average one on one tackler for other qualities. His positioning is poor, can't mark players, always mess up offside traps and heading is not upto the par.
His offensive game is non existent so no point discussing that. How the hell we ended up paying 50m for him? How did our scouts missed that or did they think he can improve on this?
His offensive game is non existent so no point discussing that. How the hell we ended up paying 50m for him? How did our scouts missed that or did they think he can improve on this?
He's a liability. Looks like a complete novice who never has seen a football in his life before.
10/10 defensively but 5/10 on the ball. Need to get an attacking option in the summer for the weaker teams.
He’s getting better going forward.
2 greatpasses today, one for the pen and one for greenwood
This is why you should wait till the end of the game.. His two passes have led to 2 goals..
People who say AWB is bad on the ball have a limited understanding of football. He has a great first touch, is excellent at resisting the press with a one two or with a dribble, and makes intelligent use of the ball in attack. He is a little gangly with the ball at his feet but he's clearly effective.
Quality. Just saved two points with that tackle.
Cracking tackle, game changing tackle without a doubt.
Probably in our top 5 performers of the season. Having a cracking season.
Fair play. He's been very good lately.
Very good defender - needs to be a little better on the ball but overall not a problem
Thought he's been very good myself. Not sure what game those first couple of posters were watching
If you haven't noticed that he is getting better and better going forward than I question your knowledge about football.
Just as he was last season. Plays every game and you know exactly what you'll get from him. Him and Maguire are so underrated for that.
Crazy thing is he's still improving and not close to his best. I can only imagine what an experienced AWB would look like.
One assist, one good ball in for our penalty, one goal saving tackle. People come in this de facto player performance thread to complain.
I think he's another player who will benefit when we're out of this mad covid schedule. He's improved, I'm still far from convinced by him, but he's got age on his side.
Not sure why this thread continues or why it’s been bumped.
Yeah not the most graceful but rarely loses the ball, and he's been trying to improve his attacking output as evidenced today. When/if we get a top winger to play in front of him that will help him out even more.
Coming along nicely. In the build up to Masons goal he would without doubt have taken the easy pass back to Bruno last season. Instead he took the initiative and got his assist. Pleased for him
He has improved such that both our fullbacks are now decent, working outlets for our attack (with the left still much stronger of course). With Greenwood firing again, they can build on that. We will need to find or groom a reliable backup for him.
I think he has turned out to be a quality signing and improving with each game.
He's improved his attacking play a lot in recent months. Just plays with much more confidence these days and his teammates trust him on the ball as well. I think because of that our attack has become more balanced instead being left-sided heavy.
I think his defence has worsened a bit whilst his attacks have improved.
That's fine for me because as he develops its all about finding that balance.
That's fine for me because as he develops its all about finding that balance.
His passing has definitely started to look neater since we first bought him. He is still quite safe with his forward play but this is probably a good thing at the moment - give the ball to the more threatening players. He seems to be quietly ticking along quite nicely at the moment, putting in decent performances if not particularly outstanding.
Definitely making strides with his link up play and in general seems to be more confident with the ball at his feet. Was critical of him at points this season, so credit where it's due.