Very sad that Solskjaer wasn't able to develop him into the player he deserved to be. Had he have gone to another top 6 team he could have become world class, but unfortunately he's regressed at Man U.

This with bells on.

I'm always amazed by how (read back on this forum over the years) supporters will criticise a manager for not picking up enough points, not using the right tactics, not making the best use of substitutions, or buying the wrong players. But almost no one will comment on a managers ability to develop players despite coaching ability being one of, if not the core requirement of the job.

This has been Vieira's genius. While Roy was great at setting up a side (not to lose) few, if any, players actually improved under him. They just knew their roles and their roles were basically defined by damage limitation. Ward can't do this, so rather than teach him how, just put him in a position where he doesn't have to. That was Roy. Of the main holdovers from Hodgson:

Ward - his best season in years, dramatically improved under Vieira
Mitchel - dramatic improvement since last season
Benteke - he is what he is, but he's been better this year than the two previous years
Kouyate - at least as good as he was under Roy

Put simply, good managers (Sir Alex being the obvious example) take players and make them better simply because they know how to coach and develop them.

You are absolutely right that AWB's demise is a failure of coaching and nothing else. The raw material is there. Bring him back. A great defender and if Vieira can do what he's done for Ward for AWB then possibly yet a great attacking full-back too.

Edited by sydtheeagle (19 Jan 2022 8.20pm)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Good post Syd. Very true.

I think you have identified his stand outs in tackling especially and pace.

I also think you're correct that he really isn't suited to going forward and that central defensive positions would probably see him benefiting teams more.

It would be interesting to know if that's been tried behind the scenes.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

When we sold AWB he had only been a right back for a season or 2 with us and basically no one got past him in the League due primarily to his pace. He had a couple of dribbling moves he pulled out when he was allowed to get forward but the high price we got for him was due to his age and the likely hood he will improve even more due to his relatively inexperience.
For us and Man U his ball use has and is still is relatively poor by Premier League standards. I thought last season he was best at getting forward and laying it off to Fernandez who was on fire at the time.
Given we are often playing with Ward as part centre half and part right back with Mitchell getting forward more, i think he would be a decent acquisition. He though is on a lengthy and no doubt decent contract so why would he want to move ?

Edited by viveasheagle (20 Jan 2022 4.50am)

Alongside the fans actually wanting him