[sugar_kane]

RB is weirdly beginning to look like our weak link after DM.

Never thought that would be the case when we first signed him, but I honestly think defensively he is incredibly overrated because he happens to be brilliant at making diving tackles.

Too often he seems to be the one out of position in our back 4. Happens to Shaw too and it comes with the territory of getting forward, but it seems much rarer for Shaw to hand the opposition massive chances like AWB seems to too often.

 

[pratyush_utd]

Took it from other thread


Look how Newcastle players are leaving him so much space and 2-3 players are focused on Greenwood. Contrast this to the other side

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[PlayerOne]

Was worried that his limitations would be exposed this season with the more expansive style of play and that seems to be case. Issue is, I was happy to put up with his attacking play due to his defending but we're not even getting that now. He ended the last season in poor form too.

Hope Ole give Dalot a run out in games like today.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Took it from other thread


Look how Newcastle players are leaving him so much space and 2-3 players are focused on Greenwood. Contrast this to the other side

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

In fairness Greenwood should be passing that ball.

 

[UncleBob]

I really value him. He tried to get forward and did some crossing today but wasn't accurate with anything.
Defensively he does provide some depth more than most RB so I will never be at an urge to necessarily chuck him out of our team - more just provide him that first class attacking competition that may put him in the subs a whilst and help him identify whats missing in his game.

He’s fecking awful going forward.

Today, he wasn’t much better in defence either.

Looks completely lost at this level.

 

[afrocentricity]

Nowhere near as bad as you lot like to make out...

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

He’s more suited to games where we are defending a lot, rather than games where we are expected to take it to the opposition.

 

[UncleBob]

Nowhere near as bad as you lot like to make out...

How so?

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Nowhere near as bad as you lot like to make out...

He isn't bad, he is a good player and for a bottom half team he would be one of the best defenders in the league.

We would absolutely be a better side for having an attacking right back who is more comfortable on the ball and backs his ability when in space.

 

[UncleBob]

He’s more suited to games where we are defending a lot, rather than games where we are expected to take it to the opposition.

Yes, but lets not pretend his defensive contributions are top class. The amount of times AWB lets players run in behind, Jesus. Isolate a player on a one vs one with Bislama and he’s odds on to win the vast majority of duels. Intelligent positioning? God no.

 

[UncleBob]

He isn't bad, he is a good player and for a bottom half team he would be one of the best defenders in the league.

We would absolutely be a better side for having an attacking right back who is more comfortable on the ball and backs his ability when in space.

His defending is seriously overrated.

 

[pratyush_utd]

Nowhere near as bad as you lot like to make out...

I am just pointing out that opposition afford him a lot of space. This doesn't happen on the left side. This makes the job of whoever playing infront of him quite difficult because they get marked by 2 players

 

[OverratedOpinion]

His defending is seriously overrated.

Depends how it is rated. He is one of the best right backs in England at defending.

 

[Drainy]

Depends how it is rated. He is one of the best right backs in England at defending.

One on one defending. Everything else is a work in progress.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

One on one defending. Everything else is a work in progress.

All our full backs go too central. It happens no matter who is playing the position so I assume it is some weird instruction but it rarely costs us goals unless we are playing against Angelino.

I think that makes the rest of his game look a lot worse than what it is.

 

[Andrew7582]

He will never be good going forward or in possession, he is what he is. If you want to blame someone it is the manager for buying him and continuing to play him. I'd like to see Dalot given a run of games.

 

[Adisa]

Lost so many duels today.
His lack of intensity in attack is a serious issue. So slow in over/underlapping.

 

[Drainy]

All our full backs go too central. It happens no matter who is playing the position so I assume it is some weird instruction but it rarely costs us goals unless we are playing against Angelino.

I think that makes the rest of his game look a lot worse than what it is.

If you say so. I'd put it down to him having poor positioning, which makes sense given his age and experience and that he's a converted winger adapting to a new position over the last 3-4 seasons, but you do you.

 

[Revan]

Never got warmed to him. I think he played well in the second half of last season, and he saved us in that game when he didn't allow the ball to get in the goal, but he is quite poor defensively in many matches, and is very bad with the ball.

Next to defensive midfielder, he is the weakest link in our team.

 

[Adisa]

He’s more suited to games where we are defending a lot, rather than games where we are expected to take it to the opposition.

Unacceptable for a £50m fullback.

 

[Red the Bear]

I know a lot of people disregard his importance during games were we dominate and I understand why they prefer a more attacking minded rb in Dalot but I'm not so sure

As bad as he can be going forward his defensive contribution must not be understated as we are immensely susceptible to counter attacks during these games and not having a sound defensive rb will cost us heavily

Just to point to an example I'm not sure we would have won the wolves game without that goal line tackle

 

[Adnan]

I called this before he had even kicked a ball for us. You don't buy a RB who is difficient on the ball, if the plan is to play a proactive brand of football.

 

[Revan]

I know a lot of people disregard his importance during games were we dominate and I understand why they prefer a more attacking minded rb in Dalot but I'm not so sure

As bad as he can be going forward his defensive contribution must not be understated as we are immensely susceptible to counter attacks during these games and not having a sound defensive rb will cost us heavily

Just to point to an example I'm not sure we would have won the wolves game without that goal line tackle

The thing is, he is not that great defensively. He is awesome at tackling (honestly, might be the best tackler in football) and 1 on 1 situations, but he is pretty poor (or at best case, average) in everything else: positioning, in the air, running back etc.

 

[Adnan]

I know a lot of people disregard his importance during games were we dominate and I understand why they prefer a more attacking minded rb in Dalot but I'm not so sure

As bad as he can be going forward his defensive contribution must not be understated as we are immensely susceptible to counter attacks during these games and not having a sound defensive rb will cost us heavily

Just to point to an example I'm not sure we would have won the wolves game without that goal line tackle

That clearance against Wolves was good and should be appreciated. But having said that, if we had any half decent DM in there instead of Fred, that sequence of play wouldn't have resulted in a great chance for Wolves.

What that chance showed was our inadequacies in midfield highlighting the strength of Wan Bissaka.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

If you say so. I'd put it down to him having poor positioning, which makes sense given his age and experience and that he's a converted winger adapting to a new position over the last 3-4 seasons, but you do you.

Dalot, Williams and Shaw have all done the same under Ole.

I don't know for a fact but it seems too coincidental to me.

 

[Devil may care]

Saint-Maximin gave him some problems but given how high a line we played without a DM I thought he covered the space in behind well.

 

[Escobar]

So so limited player

 

[Conor]

His basic passing is atrocious at times.

 

[Van Piorsing]

His technique is okayish, it's just he doesn't feel rhythm of build up.

Also needs experience.

 

[The United]

One on one defending. Everything else is a work in progress.

Weirdly, I feel his one on one defending this season has been shite compared to his usual standard. Not sure if the stats would back my point.

But, yeah if he can cross the ball in the air, it would help so much on the other side too.

 

[Litch]

Sorry, no way good enough.....

 

[Zoo]

I just watched the game and I’m not sure where the criticism is coming form . We know what Wan Bissaka is, he’s never going to cross the ball like TAA. But he always makes himself available and pushes forward and that tackle in the second half was class.

 

[Bebestation]

How so?

Do you remember the game before? Or the first game of the season where everyone was saying good stuff about him. Hardly lost at this level.

 

[Bebestation]

I mean people will disagree and that's okay with me. I'm not saying I don't want Trippier here either.

I'm just saying that in an era where nearly every team has a goal scoring inverted forward - also easier found on the LW cutting on their Right feet than the RW cutting on their LF; I'm not undervaluing Wan Bissaka as a player in our squad.

 

[VP89]

He always looks like the ball is trapped under his feet, and then he takes too long bringing it infront of him, by which time the play is slowed down and he has to pass back.

 

[El Jefe]

I called this before he had even kicked a ball for us. You don't buy a RB who is difficient on the ball, if the plan is to play a proactive brand of football.

What does this even mean? Are you implying it won't be possible to play attacking football with AWB in the side.

I recall one of our best ever teams had Wes Brown at right back and AWB was better than him on the ball and he obviously didn't prevent us from scoring loads or playing the brilliant attacking football that we did that season.

As another poster mentioned, the overreactions with AWB are just weird now.

 

[The United]

He always looks like the ball is trapped under his feet, and then he takes too long bringing it infront of him, by which time the play is slowed down and he has to pass back.

That's what I meant when I said he needs to pass quick faster.

 

[Bebestation]

Neville, Wes Brown, A shy Antonio Valencia, Wan Bissaka. Sounds about right.

 

[MasterCode]

So glad people are beginning to call out this weird criticism of AWB.

You'd think he was turning in 4s the way people go ob, his play definitely needs to improve but not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I remember people did this with Shaw. Now they can't get enough.

From that Chelsea Fa semi cup final, where I couldn't stand to see him on the ball till now AWB has improved on the ball. Still a very long way to go, but to act like he isn't working and making strides on his game is just odd.

And to say his defensive game is overrated is a fools argument. Sorry, he's brilliant going backwards for us in so many games, even this season from Wolves to this Newcastle game he's dug United out.

He needs to be more positionally aware attacking spaces, he doesn't need to be on the ball like a Trent he will never be that (especially with all his feints and stuff its extra). But he can run into space and get onto things and be an industrious RB kinda like Zabaleta was for City.

Mason is hurting himself not using his full back, him and Pogba are very obvious, in not trusting him in build up play. So opposition ignores AWB run as they know he is unlikely to receive it. Only person who really gives him the ball is Varane but that's in deeper positions. But Mason is hurting himself if he starts using AWB run more it will cause defenders to think, and it means Mason won't be doubled up on as much.

Yes theres a good chance AWB ball in might not lead to something. But you would be surprised to know how often Kyle Walkers plays lead to nothing at RB for citeh, however they still give it to him over and over. And on the Ball KW can be horrid, but he has been a very good RB for them.

 

[UncleBob]

Do you remember the game before? Or the first game of the season where everyone was saying good stuff about him. Hardly lost at this level.

Even Dan James had one offs