[elmo]

Awb hasn't even been good defensively surely that's an indication that he is tired.

He's not good at defending other than his tackling.

His woeful positioning is the reason why he has to tackle in the first place.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

He's not good at defending other than his tackling.

His woeful positioning is the reason why he has to tackle in the first place.

Nothing to do with him being higher up the pitch since he's a full back?

 

[roonster09]

He's not good at defending other than his tackling.

His woeful positioning is the reason why he has to tackle in the first place.

That's just a blind statement.

*Waiting for Maldini's quote now*

 

[freeurmind]

He looks knackered.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

He might well be tired but he's still just an average at best footballer. Him not being tired will not improve his technique. He's got far too many deficiencies to his game to become a top player.

Postionally he can be suspect. He's poor in the air and poor on the ball. His speed and recoveries are literally the only positive.

We've been had by Palace. Could have got so much better than him for £50m.

 

[Mourinhonista]

He's a very good player who had an excellent debut season. He's no wingback, don't know what Ole's been smoking. I for one am very happy to have him in the team. He's one of the best defending 1 vs. 1 and has a decent cross in him.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Think we have a problem here. I’m sure the consensus would be that it isn’t a priority, but my view on that is changing a lot. I know there is a school of thought that anyone who wants an offensive contribution from the full-backs is riding some sort of Liverpool hype train and that we should ‘play to our own strengths’ - but the area is of very high importance.

It isn’t about goals and assists, it is about simply building our play from back to front. We have better players infield, but the area is often congested, and we are pressed in there - and it turns out that the full-backs are the first playmakers in the team. The space is with them, and they see most of the ball. With Shaw, we are okay, as he can built up the play, pass and link well and get us out of a press and advancing. On the right it is a huge issue.

We made a huge investment on Wan-Bissaka, so there’s almost no chance we will be on the market - but until we address this, I feel it will be a hindrance in us being a very top team. I have huge hopes for Ethan Laird and hopefully we see him against LASK, because as good as Wan-Bissaka is at defending, we need far better in possession.

No CL winner in the past decade had a full-back as poor as Wan-Bissaka on the ball.

And even though I think Shaw is underrated on here, your general point is true.

You need full-backs that are great on the ball.

 

[M Bison]

Not that I’m gonna criticise AWB but this did make me laugh a bit. We literally had three months without a game.

He does look tired though, wouldnt you agree? I appreciate what you're saying about the 3 months off, but its back into it with a bang - its not like the season finished and he got a good pre-season in before games started up again.

 

[Eyepopper]

I don’t know whether I’ve missed your sarcasm, or whether this is just one of the worst posts I’ve seen.

Get a grip, it’s his first season at a top club and he’s knackered.

Why don’t you get behind our players. He’s not going anywhere.

You missed my sarcasm!

 

[romufc]

I have huge hopes for Ethan Laird and hopefully we see him against LASK, because as good as Wan-Bissaka is at defending, we need far better in possession.

I think AWB needs the same sort of treatment Shaw got. He knows he is first choice and has become complacent. I hope Laird can do what Williams done and push AWB or he gets dropped for a few games.

 

[golden_blunder]

So Max Aarons anyone?

I love AWB. Ole did him no favours yesterday playing him as a RWB. He had no one ahead of him to create space to run into.
We’ve seen with greenwood that he’s overlapping so much more.
He’s more than good enough but I do think he looks tired right now.
And don’t forget this is only his second full season of football

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

You missed my sarcasm!

Thank god. Unfortunately on this forum, your post could have been legitimately the opinion of some of our fanbase.

 

[Craig Ward]

You could write a similar line for all our players v.chelsea "we are fatigued and need a break"

While i agree, our players intensity and form have probably dropped due to fatigue, what i did notice with AWB yesterday was his positioning/passing was just non existent. More so than other players.

He just looked like he wasnt concentrating, which is the least you'd expect really.

I think only Williams was worse than him in this regard.

Its not very fair judging our players solely on the chelsea game - AWB is a brilliant player and made RB his own spot here for as long as he wants it. He's had an immense 1st season. He just had a bad night

 

[Feed Me]

He’s been woeful in the last month or so. What’s happened? Fatigue?

 

[Lee1001]

Still a good player, just a bit of a reality check for him and the team I feel.

When he was purchased the expectation was that he would become the best RB in England, I think that bubble has burst and folks are hating on him.

I see him developing into a defensive O’Shea who can do a number of roles rather than a master of any one position.

Can be a very useful player over the next decade. Starting RB for that period, I don’t believe so.

 

[roonster09]

If someone like Laird can replace him then that would be brilliant, which means Laird should be at the level where is among the best in the league (top 2-3 at least) and also we will have a RB who will be good enough to start for most teams in the league on the bench, that's something we should be looking for.

 

[Eyepopper]

Can you name some players who significantly improved their technique after being 21 years old?

Players that improved after they were 21? Yeah, I could list hundreds, but if you've already decided that players can't improve once they're over 21 what would be the point?

 

[Sylar]

I dont get why he played yesterday. It seemed before the game, a back four of TFM, Bailly, Maguire and Williams would have been fine to start with. He defo needed the rest. He was rightfully taken off (though it could have happened before). Physical tiredness resulting in mental tiredness. He just wasnt at it, even simple stuff like controlling the ball as he was focusing on what to do with it before he got it.

Since we were going three at the back, Ithink he needs to be one of the three rather than the wing back.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Still a good player, just a bit of a reality check for him and the team I feel.

When he was purchased the expectation was that he would become the best RB in England, I think that bubble has burst and folks are hating on him.

I see him developing into a defensive O’Shea who can do a number of roles rather than a master of any one position.

Can be a very useful player over the next decade. Starting RB for that period, I don’t believe so.

He is levels about O'Shea and is a specialist RB - we don't need to overcomplicate this. If we play 4 at the back, he is by far our first choice RB, if we play 5 at the back he should not play as the RWB but as the RCB where Bailly was in my opinion.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

AWB is a great defender, and would have been a fantastic right back in the days of Gary Neville. Unfortunately he’s come through in the age where full backs are more an integral part of the attack rather than the defence (except in certain games) and that is his weak point. I do wonder whether he could be repurposed as a central defender or DCM.

 

[Skills]

AWB is a great defender, and would have been a fantastic right back in the days of Gary Neville. Unfortunately he’s come through in the age where full backs are more an integral part of the attack rather than the defence (except in certain games) and that is his weak point. I do wonder whether he could be repurposed as a central defender or DCM.

CB : too poor in the air

CDM: Way too poor on the ball. He'd be a much worse version of Schneiderlin

 

[Anustart89]

AWB is a great defender, and would have been a fantastic right back in the days of Gary Neville. Unfortunately he’s come through in the age where full backs are more an integral part of the attack rather than the defence (except in certain games) and that is his weak point. I do wonder whether he could be repurposed as a central defender or DCM.

Out on the wing, his poor control often means that the ball goes out for a throw. Having him stretch to try to control the ball and failing to get a good touch centrally means that an attacker goes straight through on goal like Mount yesterday. That'd be suicidal.

Just not a great footballer, and I've been saying it for a long time despite his numbers improving. Painful watching him stumble around while in "control" of the ball. Hard to see him gaining control over his limbs suddenly at 22. Not like he's had a recent growth spurt or anything either.

 

[welshwingwizard]

AWB is a great defender, and would have been a fantastic right back in the days of Gary Neville. Unfortunately he’s come through in the age where full backs are more an integral part of the attack rather than the defence (except in certain games) and that is his weak point. I do wonder whether he could be repurposed as a central defender or DCM.

I don't think he is good enough on the ball or with reading the game for DM but I was wondering about a CB to accompany Maguire as his attributes would go well.

He is quick, physical and tall and I also think he has a good measured/calm mentality for a CB. Obviously he needs to get better at positioning and reading the game but I think it is easily possible as we forget he hasn't long ago transitioned from a winger at youth level so his defensive growth has been rapid.

If Laird has a breakthrough next season rotating with wan bissaka maybe we should think about it long term as I agree with the comments that we need more offensively from our 1st choice RB. Given he was a winger I think he has more potential to grow as defender otherwise he would be better attacking already.

 

[Revan]

Players that improved after they were 21? Yeah, I could list hundreds, but if you've already decided that players can't improve once they're over 21 what would be the point?

I have no idea why you are ignoring the part when I am specifically saying ‘improve their technique’. In which case, a counter example would be enough.

Of course players improve with their experience. They might become stronger, they fix their concentration problems, they learn to position better and they become more consistent. But improving significantly the technique just does not happen. And that is the problem of AWB, he will likely become a better defender but probably not better at passing and buildup.

 

[Revan]

I don't think he is good enough on the ball or with reading the game for DM but I was wondering about a CB to accompany Maguire as his attributes would go well.

He is quick, physical and tall and I also think he has a good measured/calm mentality for a CB. Obviously he needs to get better at positioning and reading the game but I think it is easily possible as we forget he hasn't long ago transitioned from a winger at youth level so his defensive growth has been rapid.

If Laird has a breakthrough next season rotating with wan bissaka maybe we should think about it long term as I agree with the comments that we need more offensively from our 1st choice RB. Given he was a winger I think he has more potential to grow as defender otherwise he would be better attacking already.

His aerial win ratio is on the thirties (he loses 2 aerial duels for every duel he wins). He criticize Lindelof for it, but Lindelof has actually a successful win rate at sixties, almost twice as high as AWB.

Add to that AWB’s poor positioning and he would become a dreadful CB. It is Shaw actually who can play as CB in case of some emergency, but not AWB.

 

[jesperjaap]

Cant believe the level of negativity here? Young player 1.5 seasons after playing for Palace and completing his first season here and made right back his own.

Of course he can improve, we have bought him for a decade not a season. He can improve his positioning but it is hardly poor? He is poor in the air....how many full backs are good in the air? He is poor defensively it is just his recovery speed.....what absolute nonsense, his timing of the tackle is absolutely amazing, he doesnt get outpaced, he hardly ever gets out strengthed.

I agree he needs to improve a lot going forward to be a modern full back. I think before this slump the last 3 games there have been signs of improvement with his crossing and he is actually good dribbling with the ball. I think its his choice of pass at the right moment that is his one really weak areas and maybe the speed of thought isnt there.

But he has been consistently very good, especially for his first season, a slump of three games and he is getting slated, I dont get it. Defensively he is the best English full back, attacking wise its Alexander Arnold and all round I have to say Reece James could well be the very best, but all three are fantastic young players we are lucky to have as a country and lucky to have as clubs.

People here talking of converting him to a cb or dm, unbelievable

 

[Nou_Camp99]

People who use the phrase 'he's been immense' clearly watch football differently than I do.

He's been okay this season. He's been strong defensively for most of it however that's slipped a lot since lockdown. However in possession he's been way off the standard all season. He's actually a very poor footballer when you strip back the spider tackles.

Might not be a coincidence that since we signed Bruno and became more than just a defensive counter attacking team he has started to look worse. This is because defending is all he is great at. If we want to be top Dogs you need better than this guy on the ball. Every attack breaks down because he's clueless.

 

[Joga Bonito]

It's still his first season. He's had games where he's been brilliant and shown promising signs offensively and others where he's been lacking when going forward. He's probably never going to be a top notch attacking full back but I can see him becoming an excellent all round FB.

Problem being that we have 2 of those FBs (him and Shaw) and we can't afford to not have some serious attacking impetus and drive down the flanks. Shaw is better going forward whilst AWB is better defensively but neither are great shakes when it comes to providing width and service from the flanks.

Ultimately we only have room for one of them going forward and should bring in a top notch attacking wing back.

 

[Yagami]

I dont get why he played yesterday. It seemed before the game, a back four of TFM, Bailly, Maguire and Williams would have been fine to start with. He defo needed the rest. He was rightfully taken off (though it could have happened before). Physical tiredness resulting in mental tiredness. He just wasnt at it, even simple stuff like controlling the ball as he was focusing on what to do with it before he got it.

Since we were going three at the back, Ithink he needs to be one of the three rather than the wing back.

Regarding Tim, he had only just played his first game in ages two days prior so I get why he didn't start. Easing him back in is the way to go in this congested period.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

So Max Aarons anyone?

I love AWB. Ole did him no favours yesterday playing him as a RWB. He had no one ahead of him to create space to run into.
We’ve seen with greenwood that he’s overlapping so much more.
He’s more than good enough but I do think he looks tired right now.
And don’t forget this is only his second full season of football

Yeah he looked mentally shot yesterday. Hopefully he can come back a little stronger these last two matches.

 

[pratyush_utd]

Has been poor since the restart. One or two good cross and that's about it. Wasteful in attack and suprsingly average in defense too.

 

[Revan]

Cant believe the level of negativity here? Young player 1.5 seasons after playing for Palace and completing his first season here and made right back his own.

Of course he can improve, we have bought him for a decade not a season. He can improve his positioning but it is hardly poor? He is poor in the air....how many full backs are good in the air? He is poor defensively it is just his recovery speed.....what absolute nonsense, his timing of the tackle is absolutely amazing, he doesnt get outpaced, he hardly ever gets out strengthed.

I agree he needs to improve a lot going forward to be a modern full back. I think before this slump the last 3 games there have been signs of improvement with his crossing and he is actually good dribbling with the ball. I think its his choice of pass at the right moment that is his one really weak areas and maybe the speed of thought isnt there.

But he has been consistently very good, especially for his first season, a slump of three games and he is getting slated, I dont get it. Defensively he is the best English full back, attacking wise its Alexander Arnold and all round I have to say Reece James could well be the very best, but all three are fantastic young players we are lucky to have as a country and lucky to have as clubs.

People here talking of converting him to a cb or dm, unbelievable

Nah. TAA is the best all-rounder, in fact he is the best RB in the world (not only in England).

 

[Adnan]

So Max Aarons anyone?

I love AWB. Ole did him no favours yesterday playing him as a RWB. He had no one ahead of him to create space to run into.
We’ve seen with greenwood that he’s overlapping so much more.
He’s more than good enough but I do think he looks tired right now.
And don’t forget this is only his second full season of football

Aarons is technically much better and would improve our build up play. But we have Ethan Laird who I believe will become our starting RB as long as he can steer clear of injuries. Wan Bissaka is too limited on the ball IMO.

 

[SAFMUTD]

The hyperbole here is amazing, a couple of weeks ago AWB was the greatest RB in the world, ahead of TAA, Carvajal, etc. Now he is not even the best fullback in the team.

Its clear he is fatigued so his performances have not been as good as it were. He is great defensively, arguably the best RB in the world defensive wise, but his offensive side is I wouldnt say poor but, bang average. Lets not fool ourselves into thinking he will improve to the point that he'll become an offensive fullback, he will not. He can certainly improve but he has so many basic offesive limitations that I just dont see him ever becoming an attacking force.

So we'll continue to see this hyperbole reactions, when playing against top wingers he will shut them and all the forum will praise him, when playing against low blocks he wont offer anything special so he'll get criticized.

 

[USREDEVIL]

I don't know if AWB is out of webs, or the ratioactive material has ceased working but he needs to get his form back asap! Especially for the Leceister game. He's been immense all season!

 

[E-mal]

Nah. TAA is the best all-rounder, in fact he is the best RB in the world (not only in England).

I think Carvajal is a better all rounder.

 

[E-mal]

Players that improved after they were 21? Yeah, I could list hundreds, but if you've already decided that players can't improve once they're over 21 what would be the point?

You're avoiding the question.
He asked if you'd seen a player that improved their technique after 21? I haven't seen any either. He is shocking with the ball at his feet.

 

[Kurton]

I don't think he is good enough on the ball or with reading the game for DM but I was wondering about a CB to accompany Maguire as his attributes would go well.

He is quick, physical and tall and I also think he has a good measured/calm mentality for a CB. Obviously he needs to get better at positioning and reading the game but I think it is easily possible as we forget he hasn't long ago transitioned from a winger at youth level so his defensive growth has been rapid.

If Laird has a breakthrough next season rotating with wan bissaka maybe we should think about it long term as I agree with the comments that we need more offensively from our 1st choice RB. Given he was a winger I think he has more potential to grow as defender otherwise he would be better attacking already.

Is his heading good enough to play CD? I haven't seen much of it. Also if we want to play out from the back, it might be a problem with his poor ball control and passing.

 

[RedDevilzFox]

I can only assume some of the posts here are by opposition fans trolling hoping to pound on the misery. Surely they can't be from united fans writing off players after 1 bad game. A game in which the manager saw it fit to not only rest several key players but also change the formation entirely and the GK decided to practically wave the white flag all game.

 

[WR10]

This kid is the most unnatural dribbler of a football I have ever seen at the top level. He looks like a basketball player that has been shown a few tricks. I am really, really hoping he will develop a skill set that just works for him week in week out like Valencia did.