13 Apr 2021 19:06:11
How good is Luke Shaw at the moment?

Ole, the coaches and Luke deserves some credit.

{Ed077's Note - Still very shaky and inconsistent defensively. Lots to improve still IMO.}

1.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 19:47:16
I think he's improved dramatically.

In particular I think his passing has come on loads.

Defensively his positioning and reading of the game needs work but I don't think Maguire is great at that either and emphasises the issues.

2.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 20:01:36
He is definitely in the top 4 or 5 lbs in the league.
Tierny chillwell Robertson shaw and castagne are all very good options.
Shaw has been one of our best performers all season.
His fitness is good and he has added a good end product in the final 1/ 3 this season.
Of course everybody concerned deserves credit for his play.

3.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 23:20:23
Gets caught out defensively far too often

Definitely improved especially going forward but is caught out by the better attacks.

4.) 14 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 23:38:46
Don't agree with this at all. Against City, Liverpool Shaw has regularly been exceptional for us defensively. He plays with a calmness and confidence that has transformed his game. He is now on a par with the best in the league.

5.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 07:16:57
In a really good run of form at the moment, defensively he's been solid, doesn't switch off as much as he used to.

Goings forwards is where I've seen the most improvement, accurate crossing, incisive passing and really good overlaps.

Just goes to show how players can improve and play to their potential with confidence and also how important partnerships are in football. People lament how much rashford and maguire play but its allowed them and shaw to build some good partnerships on that left hand side.

6.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 10:11:51
Well seeing as only KDB, Bruno, Grealish and Mount have created more goalscoring opportunities this season in the EPL, I think its fair to say from an offensive perspective he is the best LB in the league this season.

Is he poor defensively or do we just have a poor defence that has limitations in the way we set up?

We set up with narrow almost inverted fullbacks, which does mean on occasion players can ghost in from wide positions around the back. I would imagine this is part of our defensive strategy to make sure our CB's are exposed or left too open. For Shaw he is having to combine this narrow defensive shape with overlapping wide left when attacking. It's a complex role and he's doing a great job at both ends of the pitch all things considered.

This season Shaw is fighting it out with Rashford for our second best player behind Bruno.

{Ed077's Note - Shaps Shaw doesn't close down his opponents anywhere near enough for starters even when he is back in the defensive half, and thus a lot of the crosses come from his side.

7.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 11:11:42
Ed077, to be honest if I was coaching them I'd be telling them to stand off them and not commit yourself. Make them try and whip a ball in with old Slabhead in the middle and see what luck you get.

Much rather that then for your full backs to dive in and miss the ball, suddenly you have a quick player running at pace towards Maguire with no shielding.

If you have quick, mobile centre backs who are comfortable coming wide and then you can risk your full backs being more gung-ho and diving in to win the ball.

However, if your centre backs are slow and immobile then the last thing you want is your full backs diving in and risking a player coming at pace able to isolate your CB's in the box.

While a few crosses come in from those wide areas, how many goals have we actually conceded from those crosses?

The thing is unless you have an absolute world class defence you will always be looking to mitigate your defensive weaknesses. That's working as a defensive unit, covering for each other and limiting your opponent.

Most of the goals we concede come from either a silly defensive mistake, or a pull back to a late runner in the second phase of an attack. This is often when players have been doubled up on in the wide areas.
Such as Shaw closing down the winger, the winger checks back and passes to their fall back who then plays the ball across the box to an on rushing midfielder.

{Ed077's Note - closing down opponent doesn't mean diving in like a headless chicken. Just stop the crosses from coming in by not giving time and space to pick out their man. But I am happy to bow down to your superior understanding of the game.

8.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 11:38:11
Wafflers at it again.

9.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 12:26:10
All i know is in the games against Sheffield United at home and west brom away, we did not close down quickly enough for the goals.

The second sheffield united goal scored by burke i think was abysmal defending from about 6 players.

We would still be in the title race if it wasnt for those two games lol.

10.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 14:07:08
Ed077, superior understanding is a little far to be fair😂.

My point is the moment a player advances from the defensive line they become isolated and can be played around.

Think of how the Italians are well known for their defensive tactics and liken it to that of the Roman legions and how they would attack and defend as a unit, even locking their shields together.

The key to the idea is that you stay close to eachother and give no space for the opposition to isolate a player/ soldier. It's about strength bin numbers.

The idea of having our full backs play narrow and have two CDM's in front is to stop there being space centrally, to deny access to our penalty area with the ball at a players feet. It forces the opposition to play balls into the area via crosses etc rather than advance their with the ball at their feet.

Which suits out defenders. The issues are the defensive mistakes and the non-tracking of runners in the second phase.

Singh always glad to see you post, adds so much to the site😘😂.

{Ed077's Note - I really did mean it. I am happy to concede that you, or any other guy can have a different perspective which can be better or more correct than mine I.e superior understanding. (It might be wrong choice of word from me..)

11.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 18:20:34
If a defensive coach was telling the full backs to let crosses into the box, he'd be sacked immediately. Its the first thing you're taught as a fullback.