Amad Diallo

Smores · Jan 2, 2024

I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

dutchred · Jan 2, 2024

Smores said:
I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

Ultimately his best position will be as a number 10. He has all the qualities plus he has learnt how to back track and hassle opponents. He should replace Bruno next season

Mwooyo · Jan 2, 2024

Smores said:
I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

No way... Yuck, Anthony plays this controlled possession nonsense and it is horrible to watch. Manutd was Not built on this controlled possession from the wingers thing...our wingers have to beat their FB when 1v1 and create an opportunity or cross well enough to do so. This controlled possession is mindbogglingly boring to watch and is why we go through certain games without even creating an opportunity... because the winger just won't beat his man..he is out there waiting to slip someone through against a low block.

AneRu · Jan 2, 2024

Smores said:
I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

This, we need a cool head and someone who is willing to do the one-twos. We have too many who lack patience in our attack

Mwooyo · Jan 2, 2024

AneRu said:
This, we need a cool head and someone who is willing to do the one-twos. We have too many who lack patience in our attack

We already have too many wingers looking for the one-twos...anthony, rashford, and even Sancho are all out there waiting for the one-two...I think we are actually too patient...our wingers are never tasked with beating their FB when 1v1, they are always looking for help from their FB to overlap. If you can not beat the FB 1v1 you have no business playing for manutd at the top level...our wingers have always been skillful enough to cause real problems when left with one defender. No way Anthony or Sancho would make it in fergusons teams playing the way they are right now....he would make it clear that they have to beat the FB or sit on the bench

Borys · Jan 2, 2024

JohnnyLaw said:
Was pleasently surprised by his cameo. I don’t think ETH is as married to Antony as some think, hopefully now we’ll see less of him.

Hopefully we’ll bring in one of Olise or Bakayoko in the summer.

ETH was married to playing Antony when the alternative was Sancho. A year ago I thought it was a bad decision because we already saw how limited Antony was back in January 2023, and he was always the least likely attacking player to produce a goal contribution. Sancho was much more "threatening" but for whatever reason, ETH was not really fan of him (especially on the right).
But now fans have turned against Antony, so he's kind of forced to look for another solution. But we've been saying the same thing about our midfield for a while now, and here we are.

DevTheRed said:
In terms of close control dribbling he’s probably the strongest in the squad.. he’s very good at it. Going past players is probably Garnacho at present but him and Amad do compliment each other very well in that department. Would love to see both of them get a run of games with Rasmus up top.

I am not particularly sure of Garnacho is that good at dribbling, he's reasonably fast (not Rashford fast) and he's willing to attack the defenders but it doesn't seem like he has a good success rate. The problem with Garnacho is he's not picking his moments, he just runs at the opponent, what has more to do with the "style" of the team than Garnacho himself IMO.
Amad is a different player as I'm sure he won't be attacking fullbacks at all time (because he isn't likely to beat fast and alert FBs), but he will pick his moments better. He's the kind of player that makes enough room for himself to make a clever pass rather than run into the box just for the sake of it.

I am not sure if Amad will be a success in this team if he's surrounded by Bruno, Hojlund and AWB. I think Amad (and Mount for that matter) are the right players for the future, but this "setup" only promotes players like Rashford, Bruno, Garnacho. I think Amad is a player for the post-ETH era.

golden_blunder · Jan 2, 2024

Liked what I saw in the short cameo

Smores · Jan 2, 2024

Mwooyo said:
No way... Yuck, Anthony plays this controlled possession nonsense and it is horrible to watch. Manutd was Not built on this controlled possession from the wingers thing...our wingers have to beat their FB when 1v1 and create an opportunity or cross well enough to do so. This controlled possession is mindbogglingly boring to watch and is why we go through certain games without even creating an opportunity... because the winger just won't beat his man..he is out there waiting to slip someone through against a low block.

I don't think Antony is relevant here, he isn't trying to advance the attack he just passes backward under little pressure. Amad always has his head up and is looking for the threatening pass, we don't need every attacker to run at defenders and get a shot off 9/10.

MonkeysMagic · Jan 2, 2024

So it appears Amad has been selected for Afcon in the final squad. Typical after being out for months, making a comeback then disappearing for a month. Just the way it goes with us!

dutchred · Jan 2, 2024

MonkeysMagic said:
So it appears Amad has been selected for Afcon in the final squad. Typical after being out for months, making a comeback then disappearing for a month. Just the way it goes with us!

he has not been selected (at least not according to the list on the BBC)

Grande · Jan 2, 2024

Mwooyo said:
We already have too many wingers looking for the one-twos...anthony, rashford, and even Sancho are all out there waiting for the one-two...I think we are actually too patient...our wingers are never tasked with beating their FB when 1v1, they are always looking for help from their FB to overlap. If you can not beat the FB 1v1 you have no business playing for manutd at the top level...our wingers have always been skillful enough to cause real problems when left with one defender. No way Anthony or Sancho would make it in fergusons teams playing the way they are right now....he would make it clear that they have to beat the FB or sit on the bench

What Arsenal has been good at, United a bit less so, is isolating full backs in 1v1’s. Rashford on form (yes, he’s inconsistent) is extremely dangerous 1v1, but if our attacks aren’t built quickly and fluently enough, he mostly find himself in 1v2’s. The he, like anyone else, is completely dependent on co-ordinated movements from a Shaw or a Bruno. Last year, Shaw, Case, Lisandro and Bruno developed ways og setting up Rashford in multiple 1v1’s, he thrived on it and his confidence went up. This season, he’s found himself 1v2 almost all the time, then his confidence plummets (I know) and he’s a lot less likely to win the few 1v1’s he come by.

Ten Hag has traditionally had FB overload as a main tool for the other situations, and Antony and Rashford should both have the tools for that. Dalot and Wan Bissaka are not as such bad offensively when on the ball, but they both have such enormous weaknesses in decision making, combination play and final ball that Ten Hag even threw rookie Malacia in there on his leas favored flank last season ahead of them a few times. If it wasn’t for our grave deficiencies in keeper, midfield anD striker positions last season, I’m sure we would have strengthened RB, but iit makes little sense bringing in another back at the level of Dalot and Wan Bissaka.

harms · Jan 2, 2024

MonkeysMagic said:
So it appears Amad has been selected for Afcon in the final squad. Typical after being out for months, making a comeback then disappearing for a month. Just the way it goes with us!

Eh?

Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers, France), Charles Folly (ASEC Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Badra Ali Sangare (Sekhukhune United, South Africa).

Defenders: Serge Aurier, Willy Boly (both Nottingham Forest, England), Ismael Diallo (Hajduk Split, Croatia), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Ghislain Konan (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Evans Ndicka (Roma, Italy), Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Wilfried Singo (Monaco, France).

Midfielders: Jean-Thierry Lazare Amani (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Idrissa Doumbia (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Seko Fofana (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest, England), Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Jean-Michael Seri (Hull City, England).

Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo, Spain), Jeremie Boga (Nice, France), Sebastien Haller (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Karim Konate (RB Salzburg, Austria), Christian Kouame (Fiorentina, Italy), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Max-Alain Gradel (Gaziantep, Turkey), Oumar Diakite (Reims, France), Nicolas Pepe (Trabzonspor, Turkey).

Grande · Jan 2, 2024

golden_blunder said:
Liked what I saw in the short cameo

Me too. He looked like a Sancho with intensity. If we had an established first 11 in some kind of flow, he would have been a shoe in to make the RW his the next year, based on what I’ve seen from him and our other RW candidates (bar one fantastic game from Garnacho). What might give Antony and Garnacho the game time
Is they know the system better which helps other players even if they are inconsistent (Garnacho) or impotent (Antony).

what might help Amad is that we have only one striker and again that Antony is currently impotent.

golden_blunder · Jan 2, 2024

Grande said:
Me too. He looked like a Sancho with intensity. If we had an established first 11 in some kind of flow, he would have been a shoe in to make the RW his the next year, based on what I’ve seen from him and our other RW candidates (bar one fantastic game from Garnacho). What might give Antony and Garnacho the game time
Is they know the system better which helps other players even if they are inconsistent (Garnacho) or impotent (Antony).

what might help Amad is that we have only one striker and again that Antony is currently impotent.

Well if he’s that impotent to the team then we should build around him

Borys · Jan 2, 2024

Grande said:
What Arsenal has been good at, United a bit less so, is isolating full backs in 1v1’s. Rashford on form (yes, he’s inconsistent) is extremely dangerous 1v1, but if our attacks aren’t built quickly and fluently enough, he mostly find himself in 1v2’s. The he, like anyone else, is completely dependent on co-ordinated movements from a Shaw or a Bruno. Last year, Shaw, Case, Lisandro and Bruno developed ways og setting up Rashford in multiple 1v1’s, he thrived on it and his confidence went up. This season, he’s found himself 1v2 almost all the time, then his confidence plummets (I know) and he’s a lot less likely to win the few 1v1’s he come by.

Ten Hag has traditionally had FB overload as a main tool for the other situations, and Antony and Rashford should both have the tools for that. Dalot and Wan Bissaka are not as such bad offensively when on the ball, but they both have such enormous weaknesses in decision making, combination play and final ball that Ten Hag even threw rookie Malacia in there on his leas favored flank last season ahead of them a few times. If it wasn’t for our grave deficiencies in keeper, midfield anD striker positions last season, I’m sure we would have strengthened RB, but iit makes little sense bringing in another back at the level of Dalot and Wan Bissaka.

That is partially true. Indeed we have been much better at isolating opponents fullbacks against our wingers last season than we are now (still NOWHERE near the level of Arsenal/City). But another angle is that Rashford was in unreal form last season, he was easily beating 2 players (not all the time, but way more often than would be expected).
That's the problem - what brought us success last season was not sustainable, no with the other winger being non-threat 1on1 (or any other way).

I do not agree that our fullbacks are weak. Wan Bissaka has very little attacking instinct, but Shaw and Dalot are good outlets. But you still need to have an idea how to use them. Too often the ball goes to the sideline/end of the pitch, and then goes back around the box. We just don't have any idea how to move the ball, no coherent style of play apart from "throw everyone forward".

londonredmaniac · Jan 2, 2024

I would like to see more of him. He looks a capable player and seems to have a good attitude.

As long as we don't beat that out of him, he may just get the platform to succeed.

DevTheRed · Jan 2, 2024

Borys said:
I am not particularly sure of Garnacho is that good at dribbling, he's reasonably fast (not Rashford fast) and he's willing to attack the defenders but it doesn't seem like he has a good success rate. The problem with Garnacho is he's not picking his moments, he just runs at the opponent, what has more to do with the "style" of the team than Garnacho himself IMO.
Amad is a different player as I'm sure he won't be attacking fullbacks at all time (because he isn't likely to beat fast and alert FBs), but he will pick his moments better. He's the kind of player that makes enough room for himself to make a clever pass rather than run into the box just for the sake of it.

I am not sure if Amad will be a success in this team if he's surrounded by Bruno, Hojlund and AWB. I think Amad (and Mount for that matter) are the right players for the future, but this "setup" only promotes players like Rashford, Bruno, Garnacho. I think Amad is a player for the post-ETH era.

I don’t think Garnacho is amazing at dribbling but he definitely the best we’ve got at the moment. The thing I love about Garnacho is how aggressive he is at running at his fullback.. it’s something we haven’t really had for a long time.

Picking his moments will come with game time and experience.. he will only get better as long as he keeps working on his game (which seems he does), the ball for Rashfords goal the other night was a great piece of composure for a young lad so that part will definitely come.

As much as I like Garnacho and Amad neither of them get into the Arsenal, City and Liverpool teams.. the first team quality level needs to be so much higher than what it is now. Completely agree with your bottom paragraph.. put Amad in Citys setup for example and he excels.

Grande · Jan 2, 2024

Borys said:
That is partially true. Indeed we have been much better at isolating opponents fullbacks against our wingers last season than we are now (still NOWHERE near the level of Arsenal/City). But another angle is that Rashford was in unreal form last season, he was easily beating 2 players (not all the time, but way more often than would be expected).
That's the problem - what brought us success last season was not sustainable, no with the other winger being non-threat 1on1 (or any other way).

I do not agree that our fullbacks are weak. Wan Bissaka has very little attacking instinct, but Shaw and Dalot are good outlets. But you still need to have an idea how to use them. Too often the ball goes to the sideline/end of the pitch, and then goes back around the box. We just don't have any idea how to move the ball, no coherent style of play apart from "throw everyone forward".

Agree about the sustainability part, and about Shaw (the not injured version). Disagree about Dalot in the sense that I don’t think he’s generally weak, or offensively generally weak, quite the opposite. But whereas I think he is good on the ball, carrying, can avvoid press, good at progressing the ball through the middle third and good at offering runs into the final third when he has relations to the players around him, I think the quality of his final balls are way below PL average, be it crosses, cut-backs or passes into the box. Sure, it doesn’t help him that personnel in the box changes alot, but I’ve seen him consistently also in games we’ve had three, four runs into the box, he’ll use too much time and then overhit it. I’ve seen this with Ronaldo in the box as well, both for Utd and Portugal, and if there is one thing you can’t say about Ronaldo, it’s that he’s difficult to find with a cross.

With Shaw crossing (high or low) you can see that power, precision, direction is there most times, it’s just a matter of timing and centimetres often. With Dalot and Wan Bissaka, it’s hard to see how they are going to find a target in the box even if it’s an unmarked player.

Borys · Jan 2, 2024

DevTheRed said:
I don’t think Garnacho is amazing at dribbling but he definitely the best we’ve got at the moment. The thing I love about Garnacho is how aggressive he is at running at his fullback.. it’s something we haven’t really had for a long time.

Picking his moments will come with game time and experience.. he will only get better as long as he keeps working on his game (which seems he does), the ball for Rashfords goal the other night was a great piece of composure for a young lad so that part will definitely come.

As much as I like Garnacho and Amad neither of them get into the Arsenal, City and Liverpool teams.. the first team quality level needs to be so much higher than what it is now. Completely agree with your bottom paragraph.. put Amad in Citys setup for example and he excels.

TBF neither Garnacho/Rashford are particularly good dribblers, they are pacy and agile and most of all willing to attack the fullback. Rashford is a guy that picks his option and just goes for it, he doesn't dribble with his head up and ball close, he's just playing "chances" game but he's super fast so it's quite effective, and no wonder he struggles against packed defenses. The thing with Rashford is he was on insane patch of form last season and could score from anywhere.

Grande said:
Agree about the sustainability part, and about Shaw (the not injured version). Disagree about Dalot in the sense that I don’t think he’s generally weak, or offensively generally weak, quite the opposite. But whereas I think he is good on the ball, carrying, can avvoid press, good at progressing the ball through the middle third and good at offering runs into the final third when he has relations to the players around him, I think the quality of his final balls are way below PL average, be it crosses, cut-backs or passes into the box. Sure, it doesn’t help him that personnel in the box changes alot, but I’ve seen him consistently also in games we’ve had three, four runs into the box, he’ll use too much time and then overhit it. I’ve seen this with Ronaldo in the box as well, both for Utd and Portugal, and if there is one thing you can’t say about Ronaldo, it’s that he’s difficult to find with a cross.

With Shaw crossing (high or low) you can see that power, precision, direction is there most times, it’s just a matter of timing and centimetres often. With Dalot and Wan Bissaka, it’s hard to see how they are going to find a target in the box even if it’s an unmarked player.

Fully agreed about Dalot, but it still doesn't prevent us from using fullbacks more as attacking outlets. On another side I don't like Shaw as inverted fullback, he is best out wide.

Berbaclass · Jan 2, 2024

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sglowrider · Jan 2, 2024

golden_blunder said:
Liked what I saw in the short cameo

Have you not seen much of him when he was at Sunderland?

golden_blunder · Jan 2, 2024

sglowrider said:
Have you not seen much of him when he was at Sunderland?

Not much more than highlights. The code extended highlights here and there

OrcaFat · Jan 2, 2024

iHicksy said:
I'd actually say his physicality is one of his strongest assets in being able to shield the ball. He had that before he signed for us and playing in the championship has only improved it.

Don't forget this is a kid that sunderland fans were saying was their best ever loan signing in the history of the club.

I know he did well at Sunderland but that is the league below. I’m just non-committal about whether he is going to be effective enough at a team that wants to win the PL.

He is a very promising player but he is small and relatively slow. He might be able to compensate (some of the greatest players ever were small and not particularly fast) and I hope we give him every chance. At this point I’m not holding my breath but I’d like to see more of him at this level.

Ali Dia · Jan 2, 2024

Smores said:
I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

Mount and Amad are definitely a step in the right direction on this front

OrcaFat · Jan 2, 2024

Smores said:
I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

Good teams have at least some players who can beat their man (or two or three men) - Pep has often said how important it is in creating overloads in goal scoring areas. It’s probably the most effective way to get markers away from your attacking players.

We need dribblers who can beat their man. However, it doesn’t have to be Amad - if he can do enough to contribute in other ways that will be great. I’m very interested to see how he does, when selected. God knows we need a lift - perhaps he can help.

ShinjiNinja26 · Jan 2, 2024

I’ve always had a good feeling about this kid. It’s been clear since we signed him that he’s very good technically. The type of players we need to sign more of, hopefully makes Antony’s spot his own very soon.

r0663664 · Jan 2, 2024

I think Amad will have a lot of chances this season and I think he will come good. I don't think he is slow and seems a lot more physical. Is Bernado Silva fast? Is Messi fast? I think Amad's profile is likely towards these type of players who has good ball control, high IQ, quick 1-2. He will still beat the defenders with different method. What he needs is a RB that plays with same frequency, quick pass, 1-2, overlap then he will be even more successful. Anyone left in isolation will lose out most of time. I believe he will be successful and will make RW position his own.

dcrompton · Jan 2, 2024

He looks like a clever player with good technique which, similar to Mainoo, really stands out in this toxic mess of a squad. Luckily, Sir Jim has a lot of experience with toxic messes!

Glorio · Jan 3, 2024

dcrompton said:
He looks like a clever player with good technique which, similar to Mainoo, really stands out in this toxic mess of a squad. Luckily, Sir Jim has a lot of experience with toxic messes!

Yagami · Jan 3, 2024

Real Name said:
Just Yagami being Yagami.

Why not tag me, Mr. Mount is the English Modric?

Real Name · Jan 3, 2024

Yagami said:
Why not tag me, Mr. Mount is the English Modric?

@Yagami. There, happy?

red woppit · Jan 3, 2024

dutchred said:
Ultimately his best position will be as a number 10. He has all the qualities plus he has learnt how to back track and hassle opponents. He should replace Bruno next season

Yes, I think you are right, but I would say the following season he would replace Bruno, next season I could see him having some games on the right, and some as a 10.

In Rainbows · Jan 3, 2024

Mwooyo said:
We already have too many wingers looking for the one-twos...anthony, rashford, and even Sancho are all out there waiting for the one-two...I think we are actually too patient...our wingers are never tasked with beating their FB when 1v1, they are always looking for help from their FB to overlap. If you can not beat the FB 1v1 you have no business playing for manutd at the top level...our wingers have always been skillful enough to cause real problems when left with one defender. No way Anthony or Sancho would make it in fergusons teams playing the way they are right now....he would make it clear that they have to beat the FB or sit on the bench

Antony does not do that. Whenever he does one-twos, it is never to create or advance the attack. He only does it when he wants to get out of trouble from opposition defenders. Antony too often tries to dribble on his own, without having the ability to go past his man, or is too slow in using the fullback to help him create something. So he just slows down the attack. The only time he looks to threaten is when he looks to cut inside to shoot, although that hasn't been happening as often as last season.

It's very different from what Amad was doing. On the other hand, Sancho was a little too slow in trying to create even if his one-twos are similar to what Amad tries to do. There is a fine balance that neither Sancho or Antony have managed to bring.

Borys · Jan 3, 2024

In Rainbows said:
Antony does not do that. Whenever he does one-twos, it is never to create or advance the attack. He only does it when he wants to get out of trouble from opposition defenders. Antony too often tries to dribble on his own, without having the ability to go past his man, or is too slow in using the fullback to help him create something. So he just slows down the attack. The only time he looks to threaten is when he looks to cut inside to shoot, although that hasn't been happening as often as last season.

It's very different from what Amad was doing. On the other hand, Sancho was a little too slow in trying to create even if his one-twos are similar to what Amad tries to do. There is a fine balance that neither Sancho or Antony have managed to bring.

Excellent post, I agree 100%. It's not Rashford game at all (his link up play is almost non-existent), Antony does that in a very ineffective way and he doesn't really try to attack that often (he's just too weak as a footballer), Sancho was the guy who was able to do it rather effectively but I always thought he tries to avoid physical duels - he shies away from shoulder to shoulder battles. Amad does not + seems technically sound and faster/more agile than Sancho on first few yards.
I honestly think Sancho's only problem is lack of effort/application.

Rossa · Jan 3, 2024

Mwooyo said:
No way... Yuck, Anthony plays this controlled possession nonsense and it is horrible to watch. Manutd was Not built on this controlled possession from the wingers thing...our wingers have to beat their FB when 1v1 and create an opportunity or cross well enough to do so. This controlled possession is mindbogglingly boring to watch and is why we go through certain games without even creating an opportunity... because the winger just won't beat his man..he is out there waiting to slip someone through against a low block.

Agree with this. That said, football has become a numbers game, and taking on and beating your opponent doesn't give the best of odds. It's better to recycle and look for openings the way City do it. I absolutely loathe that style of play. It's boring to watch. Shouldn't football be about entertainment? Also, a golden mean is as wonderful as it is ancient; have wingers that are capable of going past their attacker and being able to keep possession. I think Amad can do both. He has very quick feet and a low centre of gravity.

Rossa · Jan 3, 2024

Borys said:
Excellent post, I agree 100%. It's not Rashford game at all (his link up play is almost non-existent), Antony does that in a very ineffective way and he doesn't really try to attack that often (he's just too weak as a footballer), Sancho was the guy who was able to do it rather effectively but I always thought he tries to avoid physical duels - he shies away from shoulder to shoulder battles. Amad does not + seems technically sound and faster/more agile than Sancho on first few yards.
I honestly think Sancho's only problem is lack of effort/application.

Agreed! Sancho's biggest problem is not his pace, it's his lack of effort and intensity. He can run with the ball and has proven he can dribble as well. Without intensity in the PL, you will fall short. Pogba, albeit to a different extent, experienced the same. You cannot rely on strength, speed or technical ability alone in the PL - you need intensity.

amolbhatia50k · Jan 3, 2024

Smores said:
I find it odd to see people talk about him needing to beat a man and do it all on his own. I'd have thought thats exactly what we want to move away from, we already have direct play down the left, our right wing should be about controlled possession and link up for balance.

If Hojlund is going to be a success here it'll be reliant on someone like Amad playing in the right feeding him passes/through balls.

I don’t think we need someone to ‘do it all in their own’ but more players who can get away from their man and make a yard for themselves with ease whether that’s central midfielders who can beat a press or a winger who can confidently take defenders on. Think Saka, Mahrez etc rather than Adam’s Traore.

United888 · Jan 4, 2024

Imo, Amad Diallo is the player you want to have in the team that wants play possession based. His technique (based on what I watched him so far), decision making when on the ball (based on that game vs forest), and his ball retention (based on what I watched him so far) fit the profile.

His passing accuracy is 86% with progressive passes 5 per games. 5 progressive passes attempted is high, you can get above 70 percentile if it’s compared to top 5 league stats (using Olise as comparison numbers). He has these numbers with Sunderland (don’t think they are possession based team). He also knows how to dribble and carry the ball forward which helps his ball retention and adding more creativity to the team to progress the ball. I wouldn’t be against the idea using him on the left either like what ten Hag used with Tadic. Left, right, centre don’t matter, I think he can play the three roles.

https://fbref.com/en/players/9dc96f10/Amad-Diallo
https://fbref.com/en/players/c4486bac/Michael-Olise

Marwood · Jan 4, 2024

Rossa said:
Agree with this. That said, football has become a numbers game, and taking on and beating your opponent doesn't give the best of odds. It's better to recycle and look for openings the way City do it. I absolutely loathe that style of play. It's boring to watch. Shouldn't football be about entertainment? Also, a golden mean is as wonderful as it is ancient; have wingers that are capable of going past their attacker and being able to keep possession. I think Amad can do both. He has very quick feet and a low centre of gravity.

City still have ball carriers though. They might not be be blasting past fullbacks like prime Giggs or Bale but they are travelling with the ball, even if its infield, before laying it off.

If you've got players who can move woth the ball, create angles, It's still the best way to open up a team.

It's what frustrates me with Antony. If you can't do your full back on the outside then at least try travelling with the ball inside. Come into the midfield/No.10 area.

Hopefully Amad can do that.

Rossa · Jan 4, 2024

Marwood said:
City still have ball carriers though. They might not be be blasting past fullbacks like prime Giggs or Bale but they are travelling with the ball, even if its infield, before laying it off.

If you've got players who can move woth the ball, create angles, It's still the best way to open up a team.

It's what frustrates me with Antony. If you can't do your full back on the outside then at least try travelling with the ball inside. Come into the midfield/No.10 area.

Hopefully Amad can do that.

Yeah, they have ball carriers, but it's completely different. The most direct ball carrier, aside from Walker when he wants to, would be KDB. Grealish is either turning back at some point, or rolling about faking some sort of extra terrestrial hit-you-hard Thanos style contact. Silva turns inwards. Foden goes inwards. Neither of these actually challenge on the outside though. They congest the central areas, and aren't much for counter attacking.

Antony often finds himself deep with acres of space, but he just doesn't do much with that space - so not sure what we are expecting of him. I actually think he carries the ball inside well enough, as he does have quick feet, but he regularly fecks it up when delivering the ball.

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