[ZH1]

There's not a right back in the world that can do what he can, and for a more pragmatic manager he'll be first choice every week. I'm so happy that Eric gave him a chance and never shipped him out in January before watching him play, that Dalot injury was a blessing in disguise.

For a Mourinho, and some of the old school in Capello and Lippi he would have been first choice right back, they would have loved him. These manager's used to setup in a way of negating the oppositions best players and building from there, and AWB would have been perfect for this.

His final ball did improve under Ole for a period but you can see its not something that comes natural to him. He is good with his short passing, especially when we're trying to build out the back. The players are even trusting him to make the pass that breaks the line when we're being pressed.

Without him yesterday we would have suffered far more in the second half, he perfectly set the tone a minute in when he took it ASM and put Weghorst through.

 

[krazyrobus]

I think this game has probably cemented his status as first choice. I personally prefer Dalot but his aggression and forward drive made a huge impact and nullified ASM while still giving something going forward. Seems like Dalot has lost his aggression.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He was monstrous defensively.

He might be the best 1vs1 full-back in the world.

He definitely is. He's not a world class footballer by any stretch... but he is world class at that aspect of the game.

A bit like how Fellaini had world class chest control.

 

[Cloud7]

He's really come on leaps and bounds. Glad he's made me eat my words. With him and Dalot I think we're good in RB for a while.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

I bet even Mbappe would have a nightmare playing against him. Even if you outpace/start ahead him, he can just tackle you cleanly from behind.

Would? He did! AWB shut Mbappe down.

 

[SteveCoppellFan]

I am late to the party but AWB was bloody exceptional yesterday.

 

[tenpoless]

Would? He did! AWB shut Mbappe down.

I forgot, if it was before Ten Hag I dont remember

 

[Castia]

He’s been brilliant both in attack and defence since getting his chance a couple of months ago

I’d fancy him 1v1 against any winger in Europe on this form

 

[Godfather]

He was brilliant when he came on yesterday. The way he takes the ball away from opponents shielding it is beautiful.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Fair play to the lad. Salvaged his career.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Crazy stat - He's only ever had 16 yellow cards for us in 144 games.

For a man who slide tackles a lot, that is pretty crazy

He also got one red card, but I don't remember a thing about it.

 

[Kostov]

The manner in which he shut down that right side was absolutely top class. ASM was about to go hide and cry after 20 minutes with Wan Bissaka

 

[Oldyella]

He's really come on leaps and bounds. Glad he's made me eat my words. With him and Dalot I think we're good in RB for a while.

Probably saving us a fortune in transfer fees this summer too. Incredible what difference having a manager who can actually coach players to improve is doing to our squad.

 

[stevoc]

I thought he was a goner when ETH came in and to be fair Erik probably thought the same. But I'm delighted that he's worked his way back into the team and improved his all round play. I'd be more than happy going into next season with Wan Bissaka and Dalot rotating.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Making a case to be the starter which you gotta love.

 

[meamth]

I think AWB is the only RB in the world who can stop Rashford. Luckily we have him with us.

 

[Rolaholic]

Love how he utterly destroyed Saint Maximin. The lad looked like crying after a few of Arons tackles

 

[TMDaines]

This was the moment that we learnt that time-wasting is so engrained at Newcastle that ASM rolled back on the pitch to stop the game and get treatment, even with only 35 minutes left to recover a 2-0 deficit. Baffling.

 

[stevoc]

This was the moment that we learnt that time-wasting is so engrained at Newcastle that ASM rolled back on the pitch to stop the game and get treatment, even with only 35 minutes left to recover a 2-0 deficit. Baffling.

They're an anti-football machine. Every game they start out playing for a draw and if they happen to win it's a bonus.

 

[El Jefe]

As a big fan of AWB and staunch defender of him this season, this feels great. There will still be some who'll offer backhanded complements but I think we can finally bin the idea that he's championship level or calling him a breakdancer. There were several posters who'd come to this thread to spew hate even on days he didn't even play. The hate boner here was a borderline obsession.

I maintained once he got the same opportunities that Dalot got to turn things around in the first half of the season that he would prove to be the better option. Of course he isn't perfect but it's a managers dream to have a player like him available in your squad. ASM looked like a man possessed in the first half and AWB completely nullified him its was actually crazy to watch.

 

[Rolaholic]

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[Bebestation]

He had some back post headers yesterday didn’t he?

 

[Long Time Red]

I think some fans get caught up with the hysteria around attacking fullbacks like Alexander-Arnold and think if we don't have fullbacks getting double digit assists we won't be able to compete.

The reality is if you have a right back capable of completely shutting down a left winger/forward (a lot of teams' best player) it really gives you a great chance to win a game and with the attacking talent we will hopefully have next season we really shouldn't be needing much attacking production from right back.

 

[ash_86]

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[bond19821982]

Great game and loved that. Would still sell him if we get a decent offer of 30m +

We are improving by leaps and teams will soon figure us out. We need an attacking outlet on the right back too. When we play front foot , we need that ability on the ball.

 

[Jeffthered]

Yesterday's performance was the best I have seen him play for us. No drama, consistently in good position, solid, and played the ball early, and kept it simple.

He's a player that needs to do what he is told, because he does have limitations and I don't think he is what we need every game, but he is twice the player he was under Ole.

I have changed my mind, and would definitely not sell him. But he needs to really keep working his game. If he does, he could be a formidable defender. I don't expect much from him going forward, he's not built for that.

 

[redshaw]

I had AWB down as one that would do well under ETH at the start of the season. With all the issues facing the manager at the start, the cost of AWB I could see him being a player that could be brought back to a good standard while we look at other areas. Dalot another one with potential, I see him as a late bloomer. Both players needed the right coaching and guidance.

AWB had a decent first season and has shown to be capable with crossing and moving with the ball at times but for the most part looked very nervous in his time here.

Whether these guys will be good enough for ETH we'll just have to see, I suspect not.

 

[Toni Roncoroni]

He also got one red card, but I don't remember a thing about it.
[/QUOTE]

Got a red card in Champions League agains Young Boys away in Bern (which for me wasn't one...)

 

[Olecurls99]

Yesterday's performance was the best I have seen him play for us. No drama, consistently in good position, solid, and played the ball early, and kept it simple.

He's a player that needs to do what he is told, because he does have limitations and I don't think he is what we need every game, but he is twice the player he was under Ole.

I have changed my mind, and would definitely not sell him. But he needs to really keep working his game. If he does, he could be a formidable defender. I don't expect much from him going forward, he's not built for that.

Good post

 

[top1whoisman]

Loved seeing him smile, celebrate & spray champagne all over the place yesterday as he seems an introvert whenever we see him speak. And no, I'm not saying that's a negative trait. He is who he is and does his talking on the pitch. But it felt nice to see him get loose and happy. I don't necessarily see RB as a priority position to strengthen next summer. Dalot was very good before his injury and the two battling it out for the starting spot can only improve both. Dalot has only one year left on his deal but judging by what he said in the post-match interviews, he's here to stay.

 

[Bebestation]

The reason I doubt he will be sold is because Ten Hag isn’t just a manager who sits on one tactic.

He will make changes during the game if he has to.

Is he really going to keep 2 attacking fullbacks that offer the same thing?

Or does he keep 2 different players that can offer us two things?

Rashford and Weghorst are 2 different type of strikers that have played in different positions. Fred and Eriksen is also two type of midfielders etc.

I think he wants to tactically win a match by making changes - Wan Bissaka maybe a good option for him to keep.

 

[golden_blunder]

I forgot, if it was before Ten Hag I dont remember

New calendar, BTH (before Ten Hag)

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I think this game has probably cemented his status as first choice. I personally prefer Dalot but his aggression and forward drive made a huge impact and nullified ASM while still giving something going forward. Seems like Dalot has lost his aggression.

Nah I just think Dalot got an early yellow (a harsh one at that) and was fecked from that. Defending ASM while already on a yellow is going to be a nightmare for any RB in the world.

 

[TheReligion]

I bet even Mbappe would have a nightmare playing against him. Even if you outpace/start ahead him, he can just tackle you cleanly from behind.

He’s already taken care of Mbappe hasn’t he?

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I still think his biggest issue isn't just going forward, it's his positioning/vulnerability in the air. If he could improve in that aspect he's a geniune contender for the best defensive RB in the world. As of now he's still a bit of a 1v1 specialist that has great utility in matches like yesterday.

 

[Ayoba]

God dammit I really enjoyed that one sided battle between AWB and st maxim!!

 

[rooney2009]

I always thought he has everything to be a proper right back, he is quick,athletic and can tackle
He just needs proper coaching and to be strong mentally and believe more in himself
I thought his confidence started dropping after his red card against young boys

 

[Escobar]

Great game and loved that. Would still sell him if we get a decent offer of 30m +

We are improving by leaps and teams will soon figure us out. We need an attacking outlet on the right back too. When we play front foot , we need that ability on the ball.

Yeah selling our in form RB… makes sense

 

[ggg333]

I always thought he has everything to be a proper right back, he is quick,athletic and can tackle
He just needs proper coaching and to be strong mentally and believe more in himself
I thought his confidence started dropping after his red card against young boys

His main issues are

1. Defending back post(aerial) he has been aweful that has to be improved
2. Always(I mean always when ever i see) jogs back after loosing possession.
3. keeping the width and delivering a reasonable cross - he is not good at all and Antony being Antony who always cuts in we need someone who can keep the width.

And he had 6 months to correct these basic things, but haven't seen any development. Saying that Himself and Dalot kind of compliment eachother. Lets see what Liard is made of and then hopefully ETH makes right decision with these 3 players which I think will be right decision.

 

[Shane88]

This was the moment that we learnt that time-wasting is so engrained at Newcastle that ASM rolled back on the pitch to stop the game and get treatment, even with only 35 minutes left to recover a 2-0 deficit. Baffling.

Dan Burn spent a whole minute setting up a long throw on 80 minutes.

He also got one red card, but I don't remember a thing about it.

Got a red card in Champions League agains Young Boys away in Bern (which for me wasn't one...)
[/QUOTE]
It was definitely a red. Unlucky tackle but a red all the same.