[Isotope]

This clip isn't an exciting one, fortunately. Nothing came of it. An early cross to the back post would have killed us, but Brighton didn't even put a ball in. But here you can clearly see AWB look over his shoulder and see his man in acres of space - yet still decide to move even further centrally. Lindelof actually bumps into him because he's not expecting him to be there. You can see immediately after this, Lindelof talking to AWB, again pointing where he should be.


His defensive game is as big a problem as his possession play at this point. I actually have more sympathy for Lindelof after watching a few of these.

I don't know if you're familiar with defending. Actually this is the right thing to do. As we know, Lindelof has weakness on heading. If we know that, his teammates that spending 100 times together more than us should know it also. You don't want to leave him one on one with main blueshirt striker on the center of the box, when the cross coming in. That's just stupid.

It seems like AWB also aware of the other blueshirt at the edge of penalty area, and keeping tab of the distance between them; estimating where to close in if the ball went to blueshirt.

 

[ti vu]

I've noticed a few times him moving more centrally, and as you say he's looked and seen a player that he should be tracking. He never used to do this to my knowledge at palace though, more often than not he'd be tracking the runner down the wing and making the interceptions. He wouldnt be doing this because hes asked to cover Lindelofs lack of pace would he? Seems a bit weird that he'd drift inside so often when he doesn't need to, do we have any instances of him making these errors at palace?

Even at basic level, there is no such thing to cover your teammate like that. Basically you use 2 players for one role, handicap yourself.

CP has high workrate wingers, and more defensive minded central midfielders. They use man marking tactic against wide attacker, while making wingers, central midfielders to fill in the gap. This means fullback like AWB was played to his strength.

Most of the time, our main defensive mechanism is zonal defense as we tend to leave our wide forward upfront (not traditional winger), a defender especially fullback may have more opposition players to in his zone. The forward line defensive mechanism is pressing to prevent opposition easy to transit the whole team into our half. We don't do that as well as it should, so we're caught in both world mess.

Defender in zonal defense requires ability to read the play and choose the best option. In this regard, even Shaw tactical awareness is questionable. AWB is worse. So that answers your next post, that playing Maguire with AWB and Shaw as side CBs would be suicidal.

Why not use Smalling? He has experience, and ability to play as CB. Why the need to teach a player into new role after failing to utilize him to his strength. AWB did well for Palace with man marking tactic. He's useful in their attacking play since when he wins win ball and he has athleticism to transit to attackers. Trying to use him as main width provider on the right, and learning zonal defense with little help from wide attackers.

 

[ti vu]

I don't know if you're familiar with defending. Actually this is the right thing to do. As we know, Lindelof has weakness on heading. If we know that, his teammates that spending 100 times together more than us should know it also. You don't want to leave him one on one with main blueshirt striker on the center of the box, when the cross coming in. That's just stupid.

It seems like AWB also aware of the other blueshirt at the edge of penalty area, and keeping tab of the distance between them; estimating where to close in if the ball went to blueshirt.

That's very stupid if our coaching team devise such tactic. AWB is hardly great at heading either. If Lindelof is that bad then may as well not play him then. Maguire clearly has the bigger aerial threat cover. Lindelof was assigned with lesser aerial threat. Failing even that then it's huge huge liability that no amount of tactic can cover.

 

[Womp]

Will never be good enough for us imo, poor buy. I wouldn't even say he's as good defensively as people make out. He's an unbelievable 1 on 1 defender but there's more to defending than that. He's shite near post, not the best at runs in behind.

The less said about his involvement in our build up play and his offensive contributions, the better. We should be improving good/great players

 

[Martial'sEmergingSmile]

I don't know if you're familiar with defending. Actually this is the right thing to do. As we know, Lindelof has weakness on heading. If we know that, his teammates that spending 100 times together more than us should know it also. You don't want to leave him one on one with main blueshirt striker on the center of the box, when the cross coming in. That's just stupid.

If leaving this situation:

Where a relatively simple ball to back post would kill us, is apparently a tactical choice...then we've got much bigger problems than anything Wan-Bissaka does or doesn't do.

If we're starting a centre-back who can't be trusted to deal with a 5'8 forward from a crossing situation, to the point that he needs his hand held by a right-back with the lowest aerial duel win % of any defender in our squad - then again we've got monumentally bigger problems.

I don't believe either of those are true though.

On a sidenote I actually think, other than the obvious, that our defensive shape is good throughout this sequence. Maguire attempting to get in position to cut the cross out, Lindelof in front of his man with good body shape if it does come in, no possibility of them getting it to Maupay their Number 9. Just an individual issue that thankfully didn't cost us.

 

[Isotope]

That's very stupid if our coaching team devise such tactic. AWB is hardly great at heading either. If Lindelof is that bad then may as well not play him then. Maguire clearly has the bigger aerial threat cover. Lindelof was assigned with lesser aerial threat. Failing even that then it's huge huge liability that no amount of tactic can cover.

I think AWB was minimizing the risk factor. If you were him, would you just went marking that far away blueshirt, or did what AWB do by staying near a player on the most dangerous area, while keeping eyes on the other blueshirt? Lindelof wasn't marking by having the blueshirt player behind him. That's not a clever way to marking player.

 

[Bebestation]

I still believe in him and can see that his misunderstanding of when to leave his line is not because he is dopey- but because he is new to the role & needs that coaching to come when at a club that doesnt just sit back all game.

 

[Isotope]

If leaving this situation:

Where a relatively simple ball to back post would kill us, is apparently a tactical choice...then we've got much bigger problems than anything Wan-Bissaka does or doesn't do.

If we're starting a centre-back who can't be trusted to deal with a 5'7 forward from a crossing situation, to the point that he needs his hand held by a right-back with the lowest aerial duel win % of any defender in our squad - then again we've got monumentally bigger problems.

I don't believe either of those are true though.

On a sidenote I actually think, other than the obvious, that our defensive shape is good throughout this sequence. Maguire attempting to get in position to cut the cross out, Lindelof in front of his man with good body shape if it does come in, no possibility of them getting it to Baldock their Number 9. Just an individual issue that thankfully didn't cost us.

First of all, sorry about my harsh post before, mate. I didn't mean to sound more knowledgeable than you.
On that event, I'd do what AWB did if I were him. Lindelof wouldn't know where that blueshirt player behind him. That's a strange way on marking player. But then, I'm not a professional footballer. So you may have better idea about this.

I'd agree with your last assessment. There's no reason that Maguire should be that far from the center, and leaving Lindelof and AWB to be in awkward marking position. They're just so unorganized.

 

[ti vu]

I think AWB was minimizing the risk factor. If you were him, would you just went marking that far away blueshirt, or did what AWB do by staying near a player on the most dangerous area, while keeping eyes on the other blueshirt?

Lindelof was there. 2 of defenders were getting into each other way, while there was a player free. You don't have to tightly mark that free players, but keep a defensive shape, protecting the zone aka zonal defense.

If AWB is to mark that Brighton central player by tactical instruction, then Lindelof would needs to switch to right side, and mark that zone.

This is not just one off incident. As there are other clips showed, it's an reoccurring issue.

 

[ti vu]

First of all, sorry about my harsh post before, mate. I didn't mean to sound more knowledgeable than you.
On that event, I'd do what AWB did if I were him. Lindelof wouldn't know where that blueshirt player behind him. That's a strange way on marking player. But then, I'm not a professional footballer. So you may have better idea about this.

I'd agree with your last assessment. There's no reason that Maguire should be that far from the center, and leaving Lindelof and AWB to be in awkward marking position. They're just so unorganized.

Now you're talking about Maguire from a still picture.

He was in correct position, to try to cut a low cross. The sequence of play showed that Maguire then moved back to mark no 9 who enters his defensive zone.

This is very basic football tactic, anyone would be taught playing formative football. Train to be a pro, seeing thing at fast pace in real time is something else.

 

[gajender]

Said this a few times in a few different threads. AWB has all the attributes to be the perfect DM. Pace, his anticipation of a tackle, he is perfect in the same way kimmich is able to move from RB to cover Munichs loss of Thiago. Not that ole would ever use him there but you let him mop up behind a mix of Donny, Pogba or Bruno and it allows either of them to get further forward while giving our defence the protection it needs.

How can anybody watch Wan-Bissaka and come to conclusion he would make a perfect Dm is beyond comprehension ,his positioning is abysmal, his touch is generally poor and not to mention how he shits the bed when pressed is perfect recipe for disaster when you are playing in midfield and combine that with his poor passing it's a complete non starter and if any manager actually contemplate to play him there it should be immediate ground for his dismissal for gross incompetence.

 

[Isotope]

Now you're talking about Maguire from a still picture.

He was in correct position, to try to cut a low cross. The sequence of play showed that Maguire then moved back to mark no 9 who enters his defensive zone.

This is very basic football tactic, anyone would be taught playing formative football. Train to be a pro, seeing thing at fast pace in real time is something else.

That's because they didn't cross earlier and allowed Maguire to step back. Otherwise, how would Maguire marking that no. 9 who was hovering behind him? If that no. 9 run to the center, then it would be 2 against 2 on the center, with another blueshirt on far away edge. And Maguire would just standing there looking stupid, trying to intercept a low cross.

 

[Isotope]

Lindelof was there. 2 of defenders were getting into each other way, while there was a player free. You don't have to tightly mark that free players, but keep a defensive shape, protecting the zone aka zonal defense.

If AWB is to mark that Brighton central player by tactical instruction, then Lindelof would needs to switch to right side, and mark that zone.

This is not just one off incident. As there are other clips showed, it's an reoccurring issue.

AWB with zonal defense like this? where he still didn't have time to close in the goalscorer. And btw, this is the proper way on marking player. You have you eyesight on him. Except Bruno, who then didn't know where the blueshirt moved.

 

[ti vu]

That's because they didn't cross earlier and allowed Maguire to step back. Otherwise, how would Maguire marking that no. 9 who was hovering behind him? If that no. 9 run to the center, then it would be 2 against 2 on the center, with another blueshirt on far away edge. And Maguire would just standing there looking stupid, trying to intercept a low cross.

Not even Beckham can bend it to no 9 with both accuracy and pacy from that position with Matic. Either he needed to go around Matic, or nutmeg Matic (just to face Shaw), before he had a good angle to cut back low for no 9. OR some freak deflection.

Watch the sequence please.

 

[ti vu]

AWB with zonal defense like this? where he still didn't have time to close in the goalscorer. And btw, this is the proper way on marking player. You have you eyesight on him. Except Bruno, who then didn't know where the blueshirt moved.

Comparing 2 different sequence of play? What are you trying to say really?

Nobody know their shit would defend Bruno for that marking Okay?

 

[Ekeke]

It definitely does, unfortunately. He has four absolutely glaring weaknesses - positioning (defensive and attacking), defending overlaps, dealing with any sort of pressure in possession and a complete lack of intensity in his play. He's an excellent reactive 1v1 defender, but has basically no actual defensive instincts.

Look at his positioning here against Deulofeu...terrible. Fred and Lindelof are with the ball carrier. Maguire has Welbeck. There's such an obvious dangerous situation developing, but Bissaka doesn't see it. When Hughes releases the ball, Lindelof does a great job in shuffling over to take Deulofeu and screams and points for AWB to go with the overlap - which he also doesn't do. A simple ball from Deulofeu to the overlapping Holebas and we're in a world of trouble. Fortunately he shoots instead.

His positioning is okay here. He wants Delefeou to receive the ball and take him on, thats where his tackles come from. On this occasion Delefeou shoots from range and AWB doesnt manage to block it, but the keeper should have this covered from that position. I can see why you think he's out of position, but you aren't taking into account why hes doing the things he does.

Here against Chelsea for the goal that put us out of the Cup - in a game where they visibly used AWB as a pressing trigger - a very similar situation. Lindelof sees the danger developing instantly. He's screaming at Bissaka, pointing for him to track Alonso. It's such an obvious pass, and literally the only danger that exists, AWB watches Mount, watches Mount, then it's too late. Dead.

The mistake here is that 2 CBs let a player get in between them and score a goal. Terrible defending. AWB puts pressure on the crosser so its not an easy ball to make, you can't block every cross but you can have your CBs in position to be the first to the ball.

It's getting repetitive now. Genuinely comical positioning.

This one I agree that he shouldnt need to be central here. But when you see a tricky player running with the ball towards your goal and Lindelof is your CB, I can understand why AWB would be afraid to leave him one vs one. Its still the wrong call, if Lindelof gets beat thats on him. But I can understand why he got attracted trying to fix things

The question I was asking after those first three clips was, does he actually see the danger? Is it just a total lack of awareness of Deulofeu, Alonso and Cantwell or did he see them and just not understand the gravity. You can see in the first two situations that Lindelof saw it developing very quickly. I think you can see AWB take a couple of looks at Alonso but it's hard to tell.

This clip isn't an exciting one, fortunately. Nothing came of it. An early cross to the back post would have killed us, but Brighton didn't even put a ball in. But here you can clearly see AWB look over his shoulder and see his man in acres of space - yet still decide to move even further centrally. Lindelof actually bumps into him because he's not expecting him to be there. You can see immediately after this, Lindelof talking to AWB, again pointing where he should be.

His defensive game is as big a problem as his possession play at this point. I actually have more sympathy for Lindelof after watching a few of these.

This one Lindelof has let his man get goalside so AWB has taken over marking him. After the ball doesnt come in then yes he should leave and pull wider assuming Lindelof is going to pay attention this time, but once again the reason why he's central in the first place is because of a CB mistake.

 

[Foxbatt]

One goal is on Bruno and the one one on AWB. It is not his business to let go of his man just because Lindelof may get a weak header on it. He has shown time and again that he does not know how to play in a defence as a team. Given that he was a winger it is not to be blamed so much. But how did he play as a winger if his crossing is so bad?

 

[TwoSheds]

Let's not forget he's a youngster, the likes of Lindelof, De Gea and Maguire ought to be telling him where he should be positioned. Not so much Maguire, but the other 2 are really poor at communicating I think sometimes. I would love a new CB to come in who knows what he's doing. I'd take Smalling as well at this point.

 

[Foxbatt]

Let's not forget he's a youngster, the likes of Lindelof, De Gea and Maguire ought to be telling him where he should be positioned. Not so much Maguire, but the other 2 are really poor at communicating I think sometimes. I would love a new CB to come in who knows what he's doing. I'd take Smalling as well at this point.

You can see that Lindelof is pointing at him but he simply did not see or chose to ignore that. Inside the box, it is the responsibility of DeGea to do that. He is the one who can see everything that is going on in front of him.

 

[TwoSheds]

You can see that Lindelof is pointing at him but he simply did not see or chose to ignore that. Inside the box, it is the responsibility of DeGea to do that. He is the one who can see everything that is going on in front of him.

Yeah I agree, I wasn't really talking about one specific incident though. I just think in general we still lack leadership back there perhaps.

 

[Ekeke]

One goal is on Bruno and the one one on AWB. It is not his business to let go of his man just because Lindelof may get a weak header on it. He has shown time and again that he does not know how to play in a defence as a team. Given that he was a winger it is not to be blamed so much. But how did he play as a winger if his crossing is so bad?

You dont need to be able to cross to play as a winger, for example Martial

 

[andersj]

It definitely does, unfortunately. He has four absolutely glaring weaknesses - positioning (defensive and attacking), defending overlaps, dealing with any sort of pressure in possession and a complete lack of intensity in his play. He's an excellent reactive 1v1 defender, but has basically no actual defensive instincts.

Look at his positioning here against Deulofeu...terrible. Fred and Lindelof are with the ball carrier. Maguire has Welbeck. There's such an obvious dangerous situation developing, but Bissaka doesn't see it. When Hughes releases the ball, Lindelof does a great job in shuffling over to take Deulofeu and screams and points for AWB to go with the overlap - which he also doesn't do. A simple ball from Deulofeu to the overlapping Holebas and we're in a world of trouble. Fortunately he shoots instead.


Here against Chelsea for the goal that put us out of the Cup - in a game where they visibly used AWB as a pressing trigger - a very similar situation. Lindelof sees the danger developing instantly. He's screaming at Bissaka, pointing for him to track Alonso. It's such an obvious pass, and literally the only danger that exists, AWB watches Mount, watches Mount, then it's too late. Dead.


It's getting repetitive now. Genuinely comical positioning.


The question I was asking after those first three clips was, does he actually see the danger? Is it just a total lack of awareness of Deulofeu, Alonso and Cantwell or did he see them and just not understand the gravity. You can see in the first two situations that Lindelof saw it developing very quickly. I think you can see AWB take a couple of looks at Alonso but it's hard to tell.

This clip isn't an exciting one, fortunately. Nothing came of it. An early cross to the back post would have killed us, but Brighton didn't even put a ball in. But here you can clearly see AWB look over his shoulder and see his man in acres of space - yet still decide to move even further centrally. Lindelof actually bumps into him because he's not expecting him to be there. You can see immediately after this, Lindelof talking to AWB, again pointing where he should be.


His defensive game is as big a problem as his possession play at this point. I actually have more sympathy for Lindelof after watching a few of these.

Great work! Only the stubborn will fail to see or understand this. I also think he has big issues in the build up play (where to move and pass).

Personally, I was shocked when we paid £50 mill for him. Someone did not do their homework here..

 

[The Original]

I don't know if you're familiar with defending. Actually this is the right thing to do. As we know, Lindelof has weakness on heading. If we know that, his teammates that spending 100 times together more than us should know it also. You don't want to leave him one on one with main blueshirt striker on the center of the box, when the cross coming in. That's just stupid.

It seems like AWB also aware of the other blueshirt at the edge of penalty area, and keeping tab of the distance between them; estimating where to close in if the ball went to blueshirt.

So if the ball came in to the striker was AWB going to go for the header at the same time as Lindelof?

 

[The Original]

Let's not forget he's a youngster, the likes of Lindelof, De Gea and Maguire ought to be telling him where he should be positioned. Not so much Maguire, but the other 2 are really poor at communicating I think sometimes. I would love a new CB to come in who knows what he's doing. I'd take Smalling as well at this point.

In almost every one of those clips you can see Lindelof telling him where to go. He just doesn't listen.

 

[TwoSheds]

In almost every one of those clips you can see Lindelof telling him where to go. He just doesn't listen.

Pointing isn't leadership though is it? Why would Wan Bissaka listen to Lindelof as regards defending crosses? Between the keeper, the defenders and the coaches they need to work something out though, got to be a group effort I would have thought at this stage.

 

[andersj]

Interesting to note that someone actually think it is okey for the defender to defend based on what he wants the attacker to do, instead of limiting the risk of their potential actions.

 

[Ekeke]

In almost every one of those clips you can see Lindelof telling him where to go. He just doesn't listen.

In almost every one of those clips, hes where he is because Lindelof has messed up. He tells him to leave after

 

[The Original]

In almost every one of those clips, hes where he is because Lindelof has messed up. He tells him to leave after

I don't agree with that. In most of those situations there was no need for him (AWB) to be central at all and the proof is, he never did anything in those positions - the danger simply wasn't there.

 

[Ekeke]

I don't agree with that. In most of those situations there was no need for him (AWB) to be central at all and the proof is, he never did anything in those positions - the danger simply wasn't there.

No, we got lucky. You move into positions to cover other people's mistakes, it doesnt matter if you get away with it. Next time you wont

 

[ti vu]

Pointing isn't leadership though is it? Why would Wan Bissaka listen to Lindelof as regards defending crosses? Between the keeper, the defenders and the coaches they need to work something out though, got to be a group effort I would have thought at this stage.

Under LVG, the defender switched their mark to cover for players lack aerial ability, like Blind was common. There is no reason to have 1 player to babysit another like this while leaving opposition player with so much space in potential dangerous area. If it's the coaching staff's instruction, then the coaching staff is the problem.

 

[Devil may care]

He was better than the other 3 at the back, that's damning with feint praise.

 

[simplyared]

Same tune. Absolutely clueless going forward. Not good enough. Replace him with Williams until we sign someone else.

 

[Superunknown]

I was initially pleased with this signing, but he just looks more and more limited the more I see him. In time, we will consider this to be an underwhelming or average signing.

 

[PoTMS]

He's replaced Darmian as our deadwood starting right back. Promising start before turning to shite.

 

[RedIan]

Has looked really poor last. Games. Palace must be pissing themselves counting the £45mil

 

[bosnian_red]

What is it with Manchester clubs and wasting so many millions on poor fullbacks? Wan Bissaka just isn't good enough. Way too many deficiencies to his game.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Awful but maybe still our only defender today that made at least a few saves. However, he and Maguire just do not look like professional footballers, awful with the ball on his feet.

 

[Ekeke]

Best defender today by a distance, although thats not saying too much

 

[Bwuk]

Best defender today by a distance, although thats not saying too much

They were all shocking. AWB just jogs back all the time. Plays as if he’s stoned.

 

[MattofManchester]

Was beaten by Davies so easily for the pen.