23 Jul 2020 03:47:56
I don't think it should be underestimated how important the full backs are these days especially in our team as both Greenwood and Rashford don't go on the outside of their men to beat them but are looking to come inside at every opportunity.

From an attacking perspective our fullbacks any of them that is are just not at the required standard if teams are happy and want you to give it to Williams, shaw, AWB then you know it's not working. Imagine steam playing against liverpool and saying let Arnold and Robinson have it. They simply wouldn't.

If you think back some of the early signings of peps at city was to try and get the fullback positions sorted because you can't play out of the back AND be an attacking team with fullbacks who are not comfortable on the ball and can go past a man.

Problem we have is we have this issue on both sides shaws assists record over the years has been terrible and it's obvious Awb is much happier as a defensive fullback.

1.) 23 Jul 2020
23 Jul 2020 07:09:48
Mnk397

Pep knew how he wanted to play, he pulls opposition full backs out of position to get his own behind their defence. Pep had a vision of how he wanted to play, a clear vision, fullbacks that overlapped, could attack were absolutely vital. Klopp did the same.

However, you mention AWB as a defensive full back, yes clearly happier at tackling back, getting a foot in than attacking.

So, AWB was an Ole signing, £45m, Ole given credit on here for it, so how was signing a very good defensive but ordinary attacking full back planning for the way he is trying to play? Or did Ole just not have a plan like Pep and Klopp did?

2.) 23 Jul 2020
23 Jul 2020 07:45:07
Redman,
Dear me, awb is a very good player and a very good signing .
He will improve as well .
Shaw has been getting pelters on here but there is no doubt we have missed him .

Again I will say awb is a very good signing your making yourself look daft.

3.) 23 Jul 2020
23 Jul 2020 08:30:38
Jred

AWB is one of the best defensive fullbacks, no problem with signing him at all, been very impressed defensively. But what was the plan for using him? Not many go past him. However, do you think he is or will be a good attacking full back? If we play a tactic where the right fullback needs to be a de facto winger, do you. Jred, think AWB is the one for that?

Dalot was nearer to an attacking full back. I think we abandoned him too early.

I don’t recall criticising Shaw, certainly not this season, he is far more attacking than AWB as well. Would be interesting to see his stats for assists though.

4.) 23 Jul 2020
23 Jul 2020 13:47:50
Red Man, AWB was signed after 1 full season in the Prem in an average team. He's got a fantastic defensive foundation and a history as a winger. Perhaps the powers that be saw potential in him to improve in an attacking sense.
I can't think of many RBs who are available and are the complete product (I can't think of many who are complete full stop - even TAA was suspect defensively when we signed AWB) . I would rather sign a defensively sound RB and try to build an attacking game on that that the other way around, especially with the fragility of the rest of our defence. I think AWB, particularly before the break, was improving markedly in an attacking sense and I hope that will continue.

We are also looking at a RW who can go both wide and inside - perhaps this was part of the long term plan also, negating AWB's relative attacking bluntness somewhat.

5.) 23 Jul 2020
23 Jul 2020 19:23:45
Redman
Yes he us a young lad improving, you are just running out of things to be negative about.
Awb is a very good signing.

6.) 23 Jul 2020
23 Jul 2020 22:52:54
I responded to the opening poster who highlighted their thoughts on our fullbacks. I think we have missed the drive of Shaw. AWB is a very good signing, a top defensive full back.

Looks like you can’t be objective, only bow to Ole.