James Wilson

[CLK_FPC]

Signed pro with the club

 

[Solius]

He's very good.

 

[Elliott]

He'll run rings around Burnley on the massive Old Trafford pitch tonight. I predict a hat-trick.

 

[samabachan]

Think the FAYC game displayed for me why Keane is a much better player than Wilson - cut off Wilson's runs in behind the defence and there's really not an awful lot to his game in all honesty. One game doesn't make him a bad player though, and still clearly has some talent.

 

[Drainy]

Think the FAYC game displayed for me why Keane is a much better player than Wilson - cut off Wilson's runs in behind the defence and there's really not an awful lot to his game in all honesty. One game doesn't make him a bad player though, and still clearly has some talent.

He's a different type of player. His skill set needs to be different to Keane's (although you sound like you are criminally underrating him).

Keane's game is about playing with his back to goal and bringing others into play by linking up, Wilson keeps defences on their toes and pinned back through making runs between defenders (which he is very adept at, his timing is fantastic- a great skill in itself)- making space for the midfield to dominate and create chances.

 

[Elliott]

Think the FAYC game displayed for me why Keane is a much better player than Wilson - cut off Wilson's runs in behind the defence and there's really not an awful lot to his game in all honesty. One game doesn't make him a bad player though, and still clearly has some talent.

I disagree. Some of his most promising performances have come from the wings. He's a very skillful player.

 

[Tooni]

Think the FAYC game displayed for me why Keane is a much better player than Wilson - cut off Wilson's runs in behind the defence and there's really not an awful lot to his game in all honesty. One game doesn't make him a bad player though, and still clearly has some talent.

That doesn't make sense to me. It's like saying take away Vidic's ability to head the ball and there's not much else in his game or something similar.

 

[Thisistheone]

That doesn't make sense to me. It's like saying take away Vidic's ability to head the ball and there's not much else in his game or something similar.

Like take away Bale's pace and there's not much to him?

 

[jb8521]

Think the FAYC game displayed for me why Keane is a much better player than Wilson - cut off Wilson's runs in behind the defence and there's really not an awful lot to his game in all honesty. One game doesn't make him a bad player though, and still clearly has some talent.

Theres not much point in using probably his worst game since coming into the academy as your reference point. While a lot of his goals this season have come from runs in behind the defence hes also shown an ability to score from getting on the end of crosses, cutting in from the wing and shooting from the edge of the box. Not much point in comparing the two anyway until Wilson at least shows he can transfer his performances onto the reserve level

 

[londonredmaniac]

Think the FAYC game displayed for me why Keane is a much better player than Wilson - cut off Wilson's runs in behind the defence and there's really not an awful lot to his game in all honesty. One game doesn't make him a bad player though, and still clearly has some talent.

Sorry mate. To me that is utter nonsense.

 

[londonredmaniac]

Theres not much point in using probably his worst game since coming into the academy as your reference point. While a lot of his goals this season have come from runs in behind the defence hes also shown an ability to score from getting on the end of crosses, cutting in from the wing and shooting from the edge of the box. Not much point in comparing the two anyway until Wilson at least shows he can transfer his performances onto the reserve level

It's mental. Do you watch him every week sama?

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Like take away Bale's pace and there's not much to him?

Take away Messi's left foot and he hasn't got a leg to stand on

 

[PS18]

Think people forget Wilson's still a first-year as well.

 

[MPTutd]

Just had to share this link. Some numbnuts compares James Wilson to Duncan Ferguson!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...hos-on-track-whos-not-making-the-grade/page/7

 

[Vooon]

Just had to share this link. Some numbnuts compares James Wilson to Duncan Ferguson!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...hos-on-track-whos-not-making-the-grade/page/7

Yeah, I don't really know where to start after reading that piece of work, not the most impressive "analysis" I've seen to say the least.

 

[lysglimt]

Yeah, I don't really know where to start after reading that piece of work, not the most impressive "analysis" I've seen to say the least.

heh good one - actually hard to think of a striker that reminds me of Wilson. Tall, fairly quick, superb left foot and a very good goalscorer.

 

[elmo]

heh good one - actually hard to think of a striker that reminds me of Wilson. Tall, fairly quick, superb left foot and a very good goalscorer.

Saha?

 

[Drainy]

Robin Van Persie. Obviously he's a million miles away from that level, probably a bit quicker and not as good at set pieces- but he's the one Wilson reminds me of.

 

[Swaters16]

Robin Van Persie. Obviously he's a million miles away from that level, probably a bit quicker and not as good at set pieces- but he's the one Wilson reminds me of.

Really? From what I've seen Wilson uses his pace a lot more than RVP and he seems to be a lot quicker. Maybe they're styles are a little similar in other respects but I just think Wilson is a much more pacey forward player.

 

[Drainy]

Both can play no. 9, 10 or left wing. We don't see Wilson play off a striker that often because we lack strikers (only Wilson and Byrne) but don't lack midfielders who can play that position at u18s level. I think Wilson is instructed to play on the shoulder to create space for the other players to play, while RvP is allowed to move about the pitch more freely. Wilson has shown when he plays left wing that he can link up play well.

Obviously, RvP is a fully mature player playing at the peak of his form and Wilson is a just turned 17 year old kid so comparing their end decision making and final ball is unfair although Wilson is fairly decent for his age.

Timing of his runs (and running style) are similar- Wilson's greatest strength is his ability to time his run, even if he wasn't as quick he's still get into those positions very often- I reckon if we played against teams that played a higher line more often, like we do at u18s league level where teams at least somewhat go for it, people would appreciate that part of RvP's game more. Both tall (although not that great in the air), great skill in manipulating the ball, takes up intelligent positions, hard working, left footed classy finishers.

However, RvP is also great from free kicks and long shots, and I haven't seen any real sign of that from Wilson yet- at least that I can remember.

 

[Brightonian]

Not much like RVP for me. Van Persie's much more of a playmaker, Wilson's a true number 9.

For me, the best comparison with a senior striker playing at the moment is Lewandowski. Pacy. Fairly tall. No problem with ball control, but definitely not a 9.5 or anything like that. Tends to score most often by being put through and either shooting past or rounding the keeper.

Callejon wouldn't be a bad one either, although he's short and a little bit more of a dribbler than Wilson.

 

[Drainy]

Wilson has more to his game than he shows when he plays at no 9, he can also play left wing and off the striker.

If he played with players who will get beyond him rather than players who like to play the throughballs to him I'm sure he'd show more of his playmaking ability. Didn't he say his football idol was Rooney?

Like I said, he is probably given instructions to play on the shoulder of the defenders to create space for the midfielders.

 

[londonredmaniac]

Great posts from Drainy on Wilson.

 

[samabachan]

As I have said, he's not really comparable to many (any?) players playing now, but the closest I can think of is Podolski.

 

[Swaters16]

Drainy seems to know what he's talking about, next time I watch Wilson I'll take note and see if I can spot the RVP comparisons.

 

[Genius Me!]

I like this kid, I can only hope that he'll go onto have at least half a career as good as the last left footed Wilson we brought through the club.

 

[Elliott]

Wilson has more to his game than he shows when he plays at no 9, he can also play left wing and off the striker.

If he played with players who will get beyond him rather than players who like to play the throughballs to him I'm sure he'd show more of his playmaking ability. Didn't he say his football idol was Rooney?

Like I said, he is probably given instructions to play on the shoulder of the defenders to create space for the midfielders.

Definitely. You'll hear McGuinness scream instructions at him to that effect from time to time.

 

[Brightonian]

Wilson has more to his game than he shows when he plays at no 9, he can also play left wing and off the striker.

If he played with players who will get beyond him rather than players who like to play the throughballs to him I'm sure he'd show more of his playmaking ability. Didn't he say his football idol was Rooney?

Like I said, he is probably given instructions to play on the shoulder of the defenders to create space for the midfielders.

1. So can Lewandowski. But regardless of his position, Wilson's game is still far more balanced towards being the 'finisher' of moves than the creator compared to RVP.

2. Doesn't mean much about how he plays. He's nothing at all like Rooney, he just likes him.

3. Whether or not he is instructed to do it, it is clearly his strength. So many of his goals are of the same type, and it's exactly the sort that Lewandowski scores, but not really the sort that RVP scores, because he's not usually one to use pace and make runs off the shoulder.

Happy to agree to disagree anyway. Player comparisons are always very subjective, and often fruitless.

 

[Drainy]

Happy to agree to disagree anyway. Player comparisons are always very subjective, and often fruitless.

Absolutely.

Edit: I'd just say watch the videos of RvP from before he joined United. He often made the run off the shoulder of the last defender, even in that video of him at 17 he was doing it.

 

[Brightonian]

Absolutely.

Edit: I'd just say watch the videos of RvP from before he joined United. He often made the run off the shoulder of the last defender, even in that video of him at 17 he was doing it.

Fair enough, I've seen footage of him as a youngster (and a fair bit of him for Feyenoord's first team), and I see what you're saying.

 

[Widnes]

After this tournament he lays with the U18's I would mind seeing him starting up front for the U21 side in the back end of the season, seems to have great goal scoring ability and think that side could use him with Henriquez and Macheda both out on loan.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Seems like an excellent finisher - although Macheda was the same, and look how that turned out.

I guess it is too early to judge, but he definitely seems to have the talent. Anyone think he's similar to Will Keane?

Just hit me that he has the same name as a character off House. Great drama that.

 

[Widnes]

I think Keane was more talented even at U18 level but I have to admit I haven't seen as much of Wilson as I have of Keane. Such a shame Keane picked up that injury in the summer only time will tell how much that will affect his career.

 

[Genius Me!]

I don't think Wilson should be compared with Macheda. This kid has always played 2 years above his age level and I won't be surprised to see him playing for the u21s regularly next season.

 

[Widnes]

I don't think Wilson should be compared with Macheda. This kid has always played 2 years above his age level and I won't be surprised to see him playing for the u21s regularly next season.

think he is just suggesting that a lot can change for players at this age, at 17 Macheda was already playing for the reserves and played a massive part in a title run in for the first team but has not progressed since. I don't think Wilson will stall so badly but been able to score at youth level is no guarantee to having a good career.

 

[Jimy_Hills_Chin]

What is it, 21 goals in 18 (7) apps for Wilson this year?

I don't think that the Macheda comparisons are helpful. Macheda looked about 25 when he was 17. He was almost fully physically developed at that age, as are most young footballers who break through at those kind of ages.

I also think that Macheda's lack of development is due, in part, to his personal attitude. There were rumours of excessive gambling and I think that fame got to his head a little. We have little idea of what kind of person Wilson is.

 

[Rowem]

Macheda and Wilson are both Manchester United strikers who at 17 years of age either have or might play for the reserves team, are good finishers and have good goalscoring records at youth level.

This remarkable correlation means an incredibly accurate estimation of Wilson's progression can be made.

We should wait until just after he scores an important goal for us in the first team, and then we should sell him before his inevitable Macheda-esque decline. This will ensure we sell him for the maximum amount.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

United seem to always strike gold with their strikers. From the youths to the main squad our attacking players seem above the cut. We've still got this Bruno Gomes kid coming through who i don't know but isn't his scoring record Ronaldo-esque for his age group? (im not comparing someone i have never seen to Ronaldo before I get bullied)

 

[samabachan]

What are you on about? Before Welbeck we hadn't produced a first team quality striker sinc Hughes in the 80s!

 

[Beachryan]

Rossi was pretty good too, though obviously we chose to get rid.