What is Dan James good at?

georgipep

Full Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Messages
2,471
Location
Not far enough
I wasn't talking about that particular incident. More the fact that United have one striker unavailable and they're down to picking Dan James for a huge game against a top 4 rival. Grealish rather than James would have made that a very different game.

On that incident, you have to play to your strengths. James is a speed merchant and that was literally the ideal situation to use his main asset as a player. He chose not to.
I agree that we have no great options when Rashford / Martial is out.

But to James' defense, he did quite alright cutting in against Southampton and Palace last season... You can't say what is the best decision before the situation unravels.
 

Andersons Dietician

Full Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
13,192
What I find baffling is how little he or his team mates play to his strengths now? Often he set off on runs yesterday but wasn't picked out, and often when he got the ball he wouldn't just look to hit it past a man and run. Its odd, it feels like he's got slower, or simply doesn't want to use his pace, which is clearly his main attribute.

The move was a gamble that hasn't paid off, I just don't think he's the required level.
There are actually a lot of times they play the ball to him or for him to run in to space and he fecks it up.

A lot is made about our team being a fast counter attacking team but we have a lot of moments where we play tight intricate passing football. Especially out on that left and he just can’t do it. He can’t play between the lines and even yesterday they tried to bring him in to play a part in it and he just can’t do it. There was more than one occasion where someone played the ball to where he just was but he took off to make a run in behind where there was no way to make the pass or get the weight on the ball for it to stop before going out.

Things like that are why people mention football IQ. He makes a lot of wrong decisions. Then on the flip side, he doesn’t make the run when there is the space for a ball to be dropped in. There was a couple of delicious balls yesterday Shaw slipped in between Reece and Aspa for James but he was a bit slow to react to them.
 

Varun

Moderator
Staff
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
46,772
Location
Mumbai
Not at the level required here. Absolute baffoonery to reject 25mil for him in the summer. We won't get anywhere close to that again for him
 

Irrational.

Full Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2011
Messages
32,823
Location
LVG's notebook
Seems like his confidence is shot to smithereens too. Shame as he started so well. He has an annoying habit of not sticking to the flank and deliberately running into traffic where he is pathetically dispossessed.
 

hobbers

Full Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
27,359
He was brilliant the first 6 months or so, after moving to a massive club just after his dad died.. Ole obviously trusts him to be more disciplined than Greenwood in that position.. Greenwood’s only thought is to get in the box and he doesn’t track back.. I think people should give Dan James a break tbh. I think he’ll be a fine squad player.
If James is a fine squad player then we are no longer a top six club, let alone fighting to win titles. Zero ambition.

Park and Nani were fine squad players. Players like James (and Lingard et al before him) belong in Championship clubs not getting charity minutes at United.
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
Joined
Dec 21, 2014
Messages
11,420
Location
Manchester
He was brilliant the first 6 months or so, after moving to a massive club just after his dad died.. Ole obviously trusts him to be more disciplined than Greenwood in that position.. Greenwood’s only thought is to get in the box and he doesn’t track back.. I think people should give Dan James a break tbh. I think he’ll be a fine squad player.
“Brilliant” :lol:
 

norm87cro

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2017
Messages
1,782
Location
Split, HR
I see a lot of people clinging to my Valencia comments. Just to set the record straight I always liked Valencia and what he brought to the table. He was an athletic beast with a great work ethic and really gave 100% for the shirt every time. I just think he was very limited technically and with the right mind set James can contribute to this team and he isn't still in the category to be written off
 

Kag

Full Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2013
Messages
18,875
Location
United Kingdom
I do feel like it’s a bit of a pile on at the moment but the reality is that he just isn’t performing and he plays as if the shirt is too heavy for him. There were moments yesterday when he had the ball in attacking positions and basically just shit himself. Over-thinking what to do to a fault.

He’d do well just to get his head down, kick it past his defender and at least attempt to get a cross in or win a corner. Instead, he’s just slowing down, trying to cut inside and fannying about with it.

I’d look to sell him on next window and put the money towards a better forward. We’d make a profit.
 
Last edited:

r0663664

Worships Man City
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
2,616
Location
Singapore
I rather start our 18 yo Uruguayan right winget. Saw the highlight of the under 23 game. He plays with his head up. Definitely more intelligent than Dan James. What so he is 18? No more James please. If James start another game in the Premier league, Ole should be sack for that alone. Yes we beat Newcastle but most of the scoring happens after James had left the field. So Ole, James deserved to start because we won game.
 

TheDoc

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Oct 21, 2020
Messages
40
He's good at running and positioning himself for a pass, getting the ball forward quickly, supporting his teammates and making himself available for them. Unfortunately he's not good at getting past players, and his movement after having received the pass is also quite bad as are his passing decisions. For the sake of being positive, I'll say he's a good player to tire out the opposition defense, keeping sustained pressure and getting across quickly on the counter, and also I believe he'd make a decent impact-sub if the defense is already tired. But in all honesty, we have other players who can do all that too and also a whole lot of other things way better than him as well, so...

I like the kid, I've always wanted him to succeed, but he needs more tricks in his bag and also to play smarter. His feet are quicker than his mind, which that makes him quite mediocre, but his work rate and commitment at least are unquestionable.
 

The Irish Connection

Full Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
2,272
I like the lad, and he’s had a hard time in his personal life, but even his stats in the championship weren’t great.
Adama Traore isn’t getting a game at wolves now. I would try to sell James for around 10m and offer 30m for Traore in January. He is so effective and wouldn’t mind being rotated.
 

Bebestation

Im a doctor btw, my IQ destroys yours
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Messages
11,862
I like the lad, and he’s had a hard time in his personal life, but even his stats in the championship weren’t great.
Adama Traore isn’t getting a game at wolves now. I would try to sell James for around 10m and offer 30m for Traore in January. He is so effective and wouldn’t mind being rotated.
I've not been a fan of traore.

Saying that I can only see James here working as a RWB because it simplifies what he has to do, dribbling, crossingz falling back and defending.

Selling him and buying Traore makes sense then because then we have Telles on knee side and Traore on the other able to provide crosses.

I dont think Traore is good enough as a winger for top clubs because his game is very unilateral but that unilateral game is very good especially when played in a certain position like RWB.
 

lex talionis

Full Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2017
Messages
13,615
I hate to pile on this nice lad but there’s little doubt that James just isn’t good enough for a club which aspires to lifting the CL and PL, which I hope remain our ambitions.

Maybe a brilliant run on loan with a club in the Championship will help him regain his confidence. He’s not anywhere close to a PL right now.
 

The Irish Connection

Full Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
2,272
I've not been a fan of traore.

Saying that I can only see James here working as a RWB because it simplifies what he has to do, dribbling, crossingz falling back and defending.

Selling him and buying Traore makes sense then because then we have Telles on knee side and Traore on the other able to provide crosses.

I dont think Traore is good enough as a winger for top clubs because his game is very unilateral but that unilateral game is very good especially when played in a certain position like RWB.
I disagree to be honest. I know Traore divides opinion a bit but for me it would mean we finally have a good right winger who beats defenders with ease, and it would be a huge upgrade on dan James.
Traore could do better with his goal scoring definitely, but every time I watch him he creates a lot of chances from that right side.
 

croadyman

Full Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2018
Messages
34,330
Ask that Ricky fella on United Stand who never ever criticises his performances but will happily slag off Bruno
 

Jericho

New Member
Newbie
Joined
May 14, 2012
Messages
1,109
He's got bags of pace but no real dribbling ability. I think dribbling really has to come naturally to you, so since he's right footed I'd put him on the right wing and make him work on his crossing and maybe he can be a traditional winger that gets down the line and puts the ball in the box.
 

Shimo

Full Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
8,080
He really needed to be loaned out. Right now a combination of lack of confidence and genuine ability makes his inclusion as a starter or even an impact sub rather pointless. For a a while I used to think that you could throw him on as an impact sub, to really have a go at people but, he just doesn't have the ability to take people on and really threaten.

The concept of him is fine but, we'd be far better off playing a without his width and a player like say VDB or Pogba most days out there. At least they have a pass on them, a shot, ability to get into the box - something to actually trouble defenses.

Hopefully once Martial is off his suspension and now that Cavani and Greenwood are fit, will be a while before we see him - maybe even let him play in the U23s for a bit to get his confidence and development on track.
 

Jonno

Full Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Messages
8,375
Location
Preston, Lancashire
His decision making is woeful. He’s got the pace, desire and work ethic but I rarely see him make the correct decision. Lots of blind, naive runs into trouble.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

Full Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Messages
29,261
Location
Birmingham
He's still developing, and may not be good enough for us going forward, but his strengths are running off the ball. When he plays on the left, those runs from outside to inside can really hurt teams. He did quite a few of those runs yesterday, but not once was he found. That said, it's clear he needs to do a lot more if he wants to stamp down a position in our team.
 

dutchred

Full Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,924
Given his performances this season and Ole insisting on having a left winger, I would try Telles or better give Elenga a chance. He cant be any worse
 

Adam-Utd

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
39,954
He's got bags of pace but no real dribbling ability. I think dribbling really has to come naturally to you, so since he's right footed I'd put him on the right wing and make him work on his crossing and maybe he can be a traditional winger that gets down the line and puts the ball in the box.
Does he though? Honestly he doesn’t look that quick. He’s fast but nothing impressive. How often do you see him take a defender on 1v1 and blow them away?

the Issue is he’s so weak and has awful balance he can use his speed in a straight line or he just falls over.
 

Mr PG

Full Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
1,514
Giggs had loads to do with Utd signing him. Probably showed Ole that goal he scored in the championship when he just ran the length of the pitch. Probably told Ole Leeds would snap him up etc
He helped is greatly last season when the likes of Lukaku left and especially all his assists against the top 6 but i think his usefullness is long gone with all the players we have signed. Dan James is where passes go to die.
 

Eyepopper

Lowering the tone since 2006
Joined
Sep 1, 2006
Messages
66,894
Bit of a head scratcher.... he's nowhere near good enough to be starting games for Utd, particularly where he's facing 2 full backs like he was against Chelsea. mental decision, and not fair on him.

In terms of development, I'd say our best option would be a 2 year loan deal if we can find one, find out if he is actually capable of playing at this level, then, if not, cut him free.

He definitely shouldn't be starting games for Utd.
 

SadlerMUFC

Thinks for himself
Joined
Dec 7, 2017
Messages
5,746
Location
Niagara Falls, Canada
If I were Dan James I would practice my crossing as much as possible and work on my defensive game. I would then try and reinvent myself as a RB. Personally, I think he could be pretty good in that position. He doesn't have the dribbling skill to be a winger. He's too predictable. He always goes to his right. So instead, work on becoming a RB. It's the only way I see him being able to possibly have a future at Manchester United...
 

Number32

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
920
To be fair, his defending skills is underated, also has Park Ji sung's stamina.

Right Wing Back is the best position for him. He will boost the defense by only running and sprinting on the wide area to press the wingers.
 

Bestietom

Full Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
8,021
Location
Ireland
Could be, I’m not really interested in this debate either way and we are detracting way too much from this thread. My point at the end of the day is Valencia had his best form for us for 18 months after his injury so it’s not a clear cut case of ‘injury did him in’. We can do naught but speculate about the true reason for his decline.
You Answered Mate. Your contradicting yourself. Calm down a bit.
 

Giggsyking

Full Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2013
Messages
8,265
He was brilliant the first 6 months or so, after moving to a massive club just after his dad died.. Ole obviously trusts him to be more disciplined than Greenwood in that position.. Greenwood’s only thought is to get in the box and he doesn’t track back.. I think people should give Dan James a break tbh. I think he’ll be a fine squad player.
Nani was a squad player. James should not be anywhere near the 18 players squad.
 

Giggsyking

Full Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2013
Messages
8,265
His decision making is woeful. He’s got the pace, desire and work ethic but I rarely see him make the correct decision. Lots of blind, naive runs into trouble.
Against Chelsea he had a chance in a counter attack and instead of playing the ball to two open players he chose to go in between 3 defenders.
 

DanNistelrooy

Lineup Prediction & Last Man Standing winner 2017
Joined
Mar 19, 2006
Messages
8,797
Location
W3104
Does he though? Honestly he doesn’t look that quick. He’s fast but nothing impressive. How often do you see him take a defender on 1v1 and blow them away?

the Issue is he’s so weak and has awful balance he can use his speed in a straight line or he just falls over.
When he first joined I remember watching from the stands and being amazed at how fast he was. Decent fullbacks like Ricardo Perreira couldn't get near him. He was rapid and players often brought him down - I also remember some penalties he won at Chelsea & Norwich.

For whatever reason, I agree with you - he doesn't look that fast anymore. There's been no injury so it's strange. What made him so effective when he first joined was he picked up the ball and ran at defenders, and many couldn't handle him (even if the final pass was often a bit average). Seems to be overcomplicating his game at the moment.
 

Adam-Utd

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
39,954
When he first joined I remember watching from the stands and being amazed at how fast he was. Decent fullbacks like Ricardo Perreira couldn't get near him. He was rapid and players often brought him down - I also remember some penalties he won at Chelsea & Norwich.

For whatever reason, I agree with you - he doesn't look that fast anymore. There's been no injury so it's strange. What made him so effective when he first joined was he picked up the ball and ran at defenders, and many couldn't handle him (even if the final pass was often a bit average). Seems to be overcomplicating his game at the moment.
Yeah that's fair in the first 2 months or so he looks completely different. Maybe he's scared to use his full speed due to injury risks or something?

It just feels like the things we bought him for don't exist anymore. He or the coaches have somehow tricked him into thinking he's an inside forward :lol: it's just very strange seeing him play at the moment, he looks lost.
 

JPRouve

can't stop thinking about balls - NOT deflategate
Scout
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
65,354
Location
France
If I were Dan James I would practice my crossing as much as possible and work on my defensive game. I would then try and reinvent myself as a RB. Personally, I think he could be pretty good in that position. He doesn't have the dribbling skill to be a winger. He's too predictable. He always goes to his right. So instead, work on becoming a RB. It's the only way I see him being able to possibly have a future at Manchester United...
I was thinking about this yesterday, Bouna Sarr was a joke of a winger and turned his career around when he was moved to RB.
 

Lentwood

Full Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
6,783
Location
West Didsbury, Manchester
The issue Dan James has is that he is so limited (and therefore predictable) that just having raw speed doesn't really help at all. We all appreciate that you couldn't just have an Olympic sprinter on the wing and expect them to perform, there has to be some footballing ability as well!

If James really does want to make it as a PL player (let alone a Utd player) he needs to work on becoming less predictable because right now he reminds me of a poor man's Antonio Valencia.

I think he needs to work on his left foot, so that he has the option of going down the line when playing AML and I think he needs to work on developing at least one 'trick'...which could be something as simple as a standard feint or a stepover...anything to unbalance the defender. Currently when he plays AMR, a defender knows that all he has to do is stand him up and there's no trickery or ability to beat a player.
 

Number32

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
920
When he first joined I remember watching from the stands and being amazed at how fast he was. Decent fullbacks like Ricardo Perreira couldn't get near him. He was rapid and players often brought him down - I also remember some penalties he won at Chelsea & Norwich.

For whatever reason, I agree with you - he doesn't look that fast anymore. There's been no injury so it's strange. What made him so effective when he first joined was he picked up the ball and ran at defenders, and many couldn't handle him (even if the final pass was often a bit average). Seems to be overcomplicating his game at the moment.
Maybe he really thinks he is the new Gareth Bale, after the praise that he got from Giggs. It's like Deja vu of what happened to Adnan Januzaj, I don't know why our fan base keep comparing young players to the football legends.

I still remember when Bruno was shouting at him because too selfish against man. city, and he never learn anything from that moment. Three days later, he still didn't passed the ball to an open player but finally scored against LASK. I saw his reaction like he wants to prove a point to Bruno, "See! I can fecking score". Then, after the lockdown he was exposed as limited wingers by Norwich. Their fullbacks just let him dribbling to the final third without any end product, but this time it got worst for us.

He stopped tracking back the wingers, just run behind the defenders, and keep pushing for the goals and assist. He didn't play for the team, just wants to stat padding himself to the scoresheet, and fail. I don't like Lingard, but at this point he deserve to plays more minutes than Dan James, at least he is playing for the team.
Not to mention we still have VdB, Pogba, and Greenwood who shockingly play less minutes than James.