Unpopular (AKA fickle) opinion time on AWB.....

limerickcitykid

There once was a kid from Toronto...
Joined
Oct 3, 2012
Messages
14,064
Location
East end / Oot and aboot
Nonsense. I don’t care about the EL; dog and duck competition. I’ve been watching UTD all season, wan Bissaka is not a full back. I can’t understand why he hasn’t played beside Maguire, he has all the attributes to be a perfect partner for him. He cannot attack or assist like a modern fullback should. I’d rather we played him there and have Laird a chance than ever see Lindelof play again. I have said it since he signed but Lindelof is not nearly good enough to be at UTD.
:houllier: He can’t mark a man to save his life. We’ve lost today because of two goals where he watched his man run by him. He’d be the worst CB the league has ever seen.
 

KeanoMagicHat

Full Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2019
Messages
4,033
Wan Bissaka is great, not that many great right backs in world football and he’s already one of the better ones. Still learning and a good first season from the lad. Least of our problems next 5 years.

For those saying he doesn’t offer enough attacking-wise you must have missed the 50 shots we had last few games or the many great attacks we’ve had in recent months. It’s not his job to stick them away.
 

Crashoutcassius

Full Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Messages
10,316
Location
playa del carmen
prob still the best tackler I've seen. jaw dropped when he got one wrong today.

could really use a coach finding a good way to work with him in the wide areas. has the pace to make the yard of space, and can deliver a ball every now and then as we have seen
 

0le

Full Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2017
Messages
5,806
Location
UK
A few bad games and already people are out with the pitchforks. By and large he has had a good season. He is still relatively young in terms of being a defender - he is 22 years old. Some of you guys need more patience. I can't even imagine how some of you would have reacted to players like Evra, Vidic, Andy Cole when they first arrived here. Just have some feckin patience and stop throwing a hissy fit at every mistake. If he is still showing no signs of improvement say towards the end of next year then sure, start doubting him, but give the lad some time ffs...
 

MikeUpNorth

Wobbles like a massive pair of tits
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
19,939
Our coaches need to figure how to get a tune out of him going forward. He doesn't have to become a great dribbler or anything, but just learn to pass and move and run with purpose. And ideally, learn to stick in a passable cross.

I feel he'll progress next season.
 

sammyhol

Full Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
415
Full backs need to be able to play a bit...

This lad is just not a very good footballer.

Great defending 1 on 1s... great at last ditch tackles...

But is poor positionally.. switches off often leading to goals...

And on the ball. Poor. No other word for it... just out right poor.. and teams have figured it out... just let him have the ball, and he will give it away.

Sure he will improve parts of his game... . sure his concentration will get better... But he’s never going to be a decent attacking threat... and you just don’t win the big titles with fullbacks who can’t play...
 

Baneofthegame

Full Member
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
3,012
The state of this place after a loss, maybe we should sell Martial/Greenwood/Rashford for the missed chances.

AWB’s first season in the top flight, was 2vs1 a lot, he was certainly partly at fault for the goal, but Lindelof was also poor in terms of his positioning for the goal.

Either way, we wasted our opportunities and got punished. AWB is 21 with the ability to improve.
 

Flexdegea

New Member
Newbie
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
2,342
Weird one, he been a good signing in my opinion,

But at same time been really poor this last month. I'm putting it down to lost momentum playing in this bubble.

He come back and hopefully improve his game loads
 

sparx99

Full Member
Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
3,950
Nonsense. I don’t care about the EL; dog and duck competition. I’ve been watching UTD all season, wan Bissaka is not a full back. I can’t understand why he hasn’t played beside Maguire, he has all the attributes to be a perfect partner for him. He cannot attack or assist like a modern fullback should. I’d rather we played him there and have Laird a chance than ever see Lindelof play again. I have said it since he signed but Lindelof is not nearly good enough to be at UTD.
AWB would get murdered at CB. He’s not big enough or strong enough to play against strikers using their body and his positional sense is his biggest defensive weakness.

He is limited as a full back and that’s why playing a right footed right winger is vital for us. We can’t have AWB holding the width and crossing as he isn’t good enough for it.

In our current formation I would tell AWB to stay back at all times and play defensively. I would tell Pogba he has full license to get forward as AWB is staying back. I would then ask Pogba to drift to the right wing and offer a crossing option allowing Mason to attack inside. Pogba should be crossing from the right wing in a similar way to De Bruyne at city.
 

sparx99

Full Member
Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
3,950
Full backs need to be able to play a bit...

This lad is just not a very good footballer.

Great defending 1 on 1s... great at last ditch tackles...

But is poor positionally.. switches off often leading to goals...

And on the ball. Poor. No other word for it... just out right poor.. and teams have figured it out... just let him have the ball, and he will give it away.

Sure he will improve parts of his game... . sure his concentration will get better... But he’s never going to be a decent attacking threat... and you just don’t win the big titles with fullbacks who can’t play...
He had three assists this season including one against City. For a full back that’s actually decent. TAA and Robertson are rewriting the history books for assists from full backs but it doesn’t mean he’s shit. If he is going to attack we should be looking for him to make cutbacks from the byline not Beckham-esque crosses. Limited technique means that a simple solution is required. Cut backs are far easier to pull off and probably as dangerous.
 

MattofManchester

Full Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
3,803
1v1 he's incredible. And his recovery tackles from his poor positioning on the right side is what makes him seem a great defensive fullback.

Buuut, at a top club yoou need to be much more than just a defensive option.
And Wan-Bissaka is indeed very frustrating.
His hesitancy when it comes to crossing or playing in a ball, before instead passing it backwards, and his tendency to absolutely slow down the game because he takes far too many touches really tends to hurt us.

It seems teams have begun to use him as a weak point of the team, which paints a bad picture of him for the future.
 

Zlatans Knee

New Member
Newbie
Joined
May 24, 2017
Messages
625
AWB would get murdered at CB. He’s not big enough or strong enough to play against strikers using their body and his positional sense is his biggest defensive weakness.

He is limited as a full back and that’s why playing a right footed right winger is vital for us. We can’t have AWB holding the width and crossing as he isn’t good enough for it.

In our current formation I would tell AWB to stay back at all times and play defensively. I would tell Pogba he has full license to get forward as AWB is staying back. I would then ask Pogba to drift to the right wing and offer a crossing option allowing Mason to attack inside. Pogba should be crossing from the right wing in a similar way to De Bruyne at city.
That would make it too easy to stop Pogba. You need an overlapping full back to create the space. See Kyle Walker for reference. Liverpool do it as well with either Oxlade Chamberlain or Jordan Henderson crossing occasionally. The big difference with them of course is that they have one of the best crossers in the World playing full back. But the point is that you need the full back to overlap in order to create the space for a midfielder to cross.
 

Josep Dowling

Full Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
7,659
He never takes on the LB when we are in attack. This has happened for years at United and got to the point where it must be a tactical decision not to lose possession by putting in a cross. I can’t see how the last 3 full backs (Valencia, Young, AWB) we had could be so bad at doing it. Especially as two of them were former wingers.
 

Dan_F

Full Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
10,406
He never takes on the LB when we are in attack. This has happened for years at United and got to the point where it must be a tactical decision not to lose possession by putting in a cross. I can’t see how the last 3 full backs (Valencia, Young, AWB) we had could be so bad at doing it. Especially as two of them were former wingers.
Full backs aren’t there to “take on” the other full back. How many other teams do you think do this as a tactic? If you’re talking about running onto a through ball behind the defender then fine, but squaring up a defender 1v1 and trying to use skill to get past? It’s not going to happen often.
 

LVGSdive

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Aug 20, 2019
Messages
534
He never takes on the LB when we are in attack. This has happened for years at United and got to the point where it must be a tactical decision not to lose possession by putting in a cross. I can’t see how the last 3 full backs (Valencia, Young, AWB) we had could be so bad at doing it. Especially as two of them were former wingers.
Does taking on Willian count for the assist he got for Martial's goal at Stamford Bridge?
 

CG1010

Full Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
3,687
He never takes on the LB when we are in attack. This has happened for years at United and got to the point where it must be a tactical decision not to lose possession by putting in a cross. I can’t see how the last 3 full backs (Valencia, Young, AWB) we had could be so bad at doing it. Especially as two of them were former wingers.
Tactical decisions across different managers? I don't think so.. Valencia had lost his explosive pace to get past defenders and Young was never particularly good at it to begin with. Irony was that despite them being former wingers, they were quite poor offensively and played mainly the role of a defensive FB for us. The same as AWB.
 

JJ12

Predicted Portugal, Italy to win Euro 2016, 2020
Joined
Mar 30, 2016
Messages
10,899
Location
Wales
He looks absolutely knackered - was playing well up until the last month.


Still has a lot to work on
 

El Zoido

Full Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
12,358
Location
UK
It’s clear he’s poor going forward, but he’s a good defender that’s for sure. I do wonder how much he can improve in attack, the modern game demands more from a fullback. It’s been a bigger problem since Shaw got injured because we now have next to no threat on the overlap on either side.
 

cyberman

Full Member
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
37,331
It’s clear he’s poor going forward, but he’s a good defender that’s for sure. I do wonder how much he can improve in attack, the modern game demands more from a fullback. It’s been a bigger problem since Shaw got injured because we now have next to no threat on the overlap on either side.
The modern game point is a myth. There isnt more attacking FBs now than there was 20 years ago. Its just a different way of playing when you have them in the squad.
You can he successful with more defensively minded FBs that allows the wide forwards to push forward.
Having attacking FBs just means that players with lesser ability in the ball than your attackers have the ball in dangerous positions unless youre a TAA or Davies.
 

BenitoSTARR

One Minute Man
Scout
Joined
Sep 1, 2015
Messages
13,600
Patrice Evra at his peak was managing 7 assists for United but mostly early on he was around 2 Assists in the PL.

AWB will be fine.
 

Nou_Camp99

what would Souness do?
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
10,274
Patrice Evra at his peak was managing 7 assists for United but mostly early on he was around 2 Assists in the PL.

AWB will be fine.
Are we really comparing Evra to AWB now? Jesus wept. Hahahahaahaha

We were a world class team under Evra. This season we went into the final game of the season where 5th place was still very possible finish for us. AWB is nowhere near as good as Evra was and never will be.
 

Volumiza

The alright "V", B-Boy cypher cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2018
Messages
13,552
Location
Somewhere in the middle
The poor guy had been here for about 12 weeks before this thread was set up. Nuts.

He’s 22 and he does his main job, defending, very well. Yes he had a bit of a mare on Sunday but he’ll get better over the next 2 - 3 seasons I’m sure, I can’t remember the last full back that’s had me salivating over tackles. He’s fast, good engine and has a never say die attitude, e could be in our team for years and I doubt very much it will be his fault if we don’t win a trophy soon.
 

Reapersoul20

Can Anderson score? No.
Joined
Aug 13, 2006
Messages
12,151
Location
Jog on
Are we really comparing Evra to AWB now? Jesus wept. Hahahahaahaha

We were a world class team under Evra. This season we went into the final game of the season where 5th place was still very possible finish for us. AWB is nowhere near as good as Evra was and never will be.

I mean....he didn't compare AWB and Evra.

He said Evra had a slow start, which is true.

He said AWB will be fine, which is true.

"Jesus wept. Hahahahahhahahahah" seems a bit OTT.
 

DannyDee

Full Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
499
Location
Toronto, Ontario
A few bad games and already people are out with the pitchforks. By and large he has had a good season. He is still relatively young in terms of being a defender - he is 22 years old. Some of you guys need more patience. I can't even imagine how some of you would have reacted to players like Evra, Vidic, Andy Cole when they first arrived here. Just have some feckin patience and stop throwing a hissy fit at every mistake. If he is still showing no signs of improvement say towards the end of next year then sure, start doubting him, but give the lad some time ffs...
Not trying to slag AWB, but Evra and Vidic weren’t big purchases financially. The fee we paid for him is more comparable to the outlay for Rio (not quite as high, as I think Rio was either the world record or EPL record for a defender) who absolutely had massive expectations attached to him and mostly delivered outside of missing that drug test.

When you pay 50m for a full-back, you should expect world class results and quickly. I think there are only 4 more expensive full-backs unless I’m missing someone (Hernandez, Cancelo, Walker and Mendy).
 
Last edited:

Nou_Camp99

what would Souness do?
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
10,274
Think the club may look at Perreria from Leicester at the end of next season
We bought Dalot from the same club in the same summer Leicester got him. For a similar fee too. Absolutely criminal. He'd be fantastic for us but Leicester would want 70m+ so we can forget it. He's light years better than AWB is.
 

Glorio

Full Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
4,589
Are we really comparing Evra to AWB now? Jesus wept. Hahahahaahaha

We were a world class team under Evra. This season we went into the final game of the season where 5th place was still very possible finish for us. AWB is nowhere near as good as Evra was and never will be.
I think the point he's making if you bothered to engage in a measured conversation is that good full backs don't necessarily need to be as attack minded and post numbers like Trent and Robertson. Those boys are rewriting the script in a team that plays a different system.
There's no denying AWB needs to improve in attack, and he's shown signs of it. In fact when he does decide to go forward with conviction, he does ok. He's been in Crystal Palace where the priority for full backs was heavily towards defending, with coaching he'll improve.

Unsure what the team Evra played in has to do with anything, Evra was a brilliant player - world class fullback in my opinion, that doesn't mean if he was in this team, we'd have done any better. He's just one player (different position anyway), and this team was crying out for a fullback that could actually defend as our numbers will show.

A team is more than the sum of it's individuals. Lest you forget, the likes of Anderson and Cleverly played quite a bit in the team you refer to.
 

Nou_Camp99

what would Souness do?
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
10,274
His defending hasn't even been great since lockdown either. That has slipped too. He was caught out for the 1st goal against Sevilla down his flank and then left his man (coupled with Lindelof) for the second goal too. I will admit defensively he's been pretty solid most of the season but you just can't give him the ball. He looks scared to have it. £50m is a travesty for him. He's just not good enough.
 

Beaucoup

Full Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
1,563
Not trying to slag AWB, but Evra and Vidic weren’t big purchases financially. The fee we paid for him is more comparable to the outlay for Rio (not quite as high, as I think Rio was either the world record or EPL record for a defender) who absolutely had massive expectations attached to him and mostly delivered outside of missing that drug test.

When you pay 50m for a full-back, you should expect world class results and quickly. I think there are only 4 more expensive full-backs unless I’m missing someone (Hernandez, Cancelo, Walker and Mendy).
You've contradicted yourself by stating you should expect world class results when you pay 50m for a fullback, then listed 4 that aren't? I'd certainly take AWB over three of those on your list.
 

Dr Fink

Full Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
606
Location
Purgatory
People quoting Rafael as a good right back. He could not defend to save his life, but great attacking. Valencia and Young weren’t right backs, but converted wingers. We’ve been suspect defensively down that right side for years. Seems we’ve gone completely the opposite: bought a right back who is probably the best defensive right back in the league, but isn’t a good attacking player. Most modern RBs can not defend being honest. Maybe it’s just us, behind the times?

Kyle Walker has relied on his pace. Trippier and TAA offer things going forward and free kicks. I’m not so sure about them defensively. Anyone got any tackling/recovery/interception stats to prove me wrong? Just my opinion mind.
 

NotoriousISSY

$10mil and I fecked it up!
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
16,291
Location
up north
He's great when we win, and questionable when we don't. So just the standard narrative for another post-Fergie signing :lol:

I like him, but he definitely needs to influence the game more in the opposition's half. I also don't think he's a 'great' athlete, looks like he suffers from fatigue more than someone like Trent who doesn't seem to tire - which I hope is a fitness issue rather than a habitual/ability issue.
 

Annihilate Now!

...or later, I'm not fussy
Scout
Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Messages
49,949
Location
W.Yorks
Maybe we could work on a system where he doesn't have to attack... When we have the ball he drops to RCB, pushing one of the CB's to DM, the DM to RCM and the RCM support the RW... or some other nonsense that will probably never work in any practical setting.

The things you come up with when you're in the bathroom.
 

E-mal

Full Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2017
Messages
3,682
You've contradicted yourself by stating you should expect world class results when you pay 50m for a fullback, then listed 4 that aren't? I'd certainly take AWB over three of those on your list.
Cancelo and Walker are right back and are far better than AWB.
AWB is a mid table defender at best, he is technically behind those guys it is not even a joke.
 

E-mal

Full Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2017
Messages
3,682
I am going to boldly make a claim and tell you guys this; If Ole leaves and we get an attacking possession manager, AWB will not get a game.


The guy is so out of his depth in possession you wonder if he is a premier league player.

Defensively his best attributes is a tackle, but other aspects of the game like recovering to shape, reading of the game, heading and positioning he is far behind it.

I can count many goals his error directly lead to a goal. Bournemouth away, Watford away, the two goals yesterday and so many more.


To put it simply, if we have a choice between keeping him now and 50m pounds, I will take the lather and let him go.
 

Beaucoup

Full Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
1,563
Cancelo and Walker are right back and are far better than AWB.
AWB is a mid table defender at best, he is technically behind those guys it is not even a joke.
Closet City fan talking bollox
 

kouroux

45k posts to finally achieve this tagline
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
96,106
Location
Djibouti (La terre des braves)
The poor guy had been here for about 12 weeks before this thread was set up. Nuts.

He’s 22 and he does his main job, defending, very well. Yes he had a bit of a mare on Sunday but he’ll get better over the next 2 - 3 seasons I’m sure, I can’t remember the last full back that’s had me salivating over tackles. He’s fast, good engine and has a never say die attitude, e could be in our team for years and I doubt very much it will be his fault if we don’t win a trophy soon.
Of all the exciting things a footballer can do on a pitch, this is for you :lol: ?