Ampadu

[stringer]

Osborn has settled there post-restart, and while he may have subbed on in midfield early on, his early stints where he started were at LWB – all 5 of his 5 cup appearances were at LWB. He was our only other option in that position other than Stevens and was signed initially to be first backup for there, and second add to the midfield options. It was in fact Freeman’s injury right at the point Fleck was out that created the opening, as Wilder had said that Freeman had been due to start.

Wilder when he signed: “Ben is an intelligent footballer, he plays a number of positions and has got that attitude that he will slot in wherever.”

He is an intelligent footballer who can play a number of positions. But he was signed as a central midfielder.

 

[stringer]

Wilder is annoying me a bit in this way, cos he is all about balance hence Stevens starting at LCB over Ampadu. Yet Lunny is allowed to start at LCM. Can't have it both ways our Chris

Lundstram's left foot is arguably as good as his right. United's staff certainly believe he's genuinely two-footed.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

He is an intelligent footballer who can play a number of positions. But he was signed as a central midfielder.

I think he was brought in as a LWB initially.

L Freeman was seen as Fleck's competition.

That's how things started out, as things progressed we brought in J Robinson who could cover LCB and LWB and Osborn became the preferred choice at LCM over L Freeman.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

What was Robinson doing for their pen?

Doing a Jagielka.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

He is an intelligent footballer who can play a number of positions. But he was signed as a central midfielder.

He is an intelligent footballer who can play a number of positions. And all evidence suggests he was signed to provide cover for a number of positions – based on not only what the manager said at the time he was signed, but also how he was then used for a large part of the season. I’m happy to be corrected with alternative evidence demonstrating he was always intended to be primarily a midfielder for us.The fact he is now unlikely to play at LWB seems more down to his displays post-lockdown demonstrating his worth more in midfield, coupled with the recruitment we made in signing Lowe to provide specialist cover in that position.

 

[Wright1889]

Does nobody see Ampadu as a perfect replacement for Norwood keeping Berge on the right?

 

[Balham]

Lundstram's left foot is arguably as good as his right. United's staff certainly believe he's genuinely two-footed.

There's a tap-in there for one of Lundstram's denigrators.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

For me, Robinson was signed as the kind of player to fill in for a few games max. He can't play the system as well and does seem to have a mistake in him. Not good enough for a PL regular in my eyes.

 

[stringer]

There's a tap-in there for one of Lundstram's denigrators.

I sort of left it half-open for that very reason

 

[itsinyerblood]

Our current circumstance demands that we play our best and strongest defenders, of which there's no doubt Ampadu is one of this group.

We need more than triers, so please include Ethan, he really is that good given half a chance.

A shame about Lowe's injury, does anyone know how long he's likely to be unavailable? Good player is this lad, and we've still to see his mate, Bogle, a player who might liven things up just when we need it.

 

[Mojo]

Ampadu is just as good as Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice in that CDM role imo. From what I've seen of him with Wales anyway

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

For me, Robinson was signed as the kind of player to fill in for a few games max. He can't play the system as well and does seem to have a mistake in him. Not good enough for a PL regular in my eyes.

Robinson isnt good enough and is a massive liability I thought that before he wanted to play volleyball on sunday

 

[Bladesthorpe]

All of you complaining about his long throws have you ever thought one of our players might move and jump for it before it reaches their keeper.
Seem to remember one he launched first half that bounced across the 6 yard box that our so called strikers stood and watched. He also made a great block in the last few minutes that prevented a goal.

 

[BushBlade]

I think he was brought in as a LWB initially.

L Freeman was seen as Fleck's competition.

That's how things started out, as things progressed we brought in J Robinson who could cover LCB and LWB and Osborn became the preferred choice at LCM over L Freeman.

So remind me, which one of you two has written two books about Wilder and United and probably speaks to him on a regular basis?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

He is an intelligent footballer who can play a number of positions. But he was signed as a central midfielder.

Also, if exhibit A is Wilder’s own words, exhibit B Wilder’s actions, as exhibit C here is explicitly BO placed as primary cover for Stevens on the board with the arrow of support to central midfield. Think that’s fairly conclusive.

Actually quite interesting to revisit this, nearly a year on from the November meeting it was snapped, as it highlights where we had been planning to strengthen in the January/summer windows.

1. First choice keeper (Bought - Ramsdale)
2. Backup RWB (Bought - Bogle)
(numbers less clear)
3. Backup LCB (Bought - J-Robs)
4. First choice DCM, and a reminder that even last November the thoughts had turned to Norwood being more backup this season (Bought - Berge)
5. Backup RCM that could move up front if required (Not bought)
6. First choice RCB (Not bought)
Left as ? - backup to Egan (filled with Ampadu)
Unplanned - Sharp extra year, Osborn switch with new LWB signing and Freeman leaving, Robinson leaving, new striker.

Slightly indicates that while some things have changed, the bulk has happened as planned.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

So remind me, which one of you two has written two books about Wilder and United and probably speaks to him on a regular basis?

See LoughboroBlade 's post above smart arse. Initials 'BO' underneath Enda Stevens.

 

[1889]

Robinson has a great throw but it never seems to cause any problems so far

Yeah he has a great throw, but he has to put it into the right area. Against Fulham he aimed it at the front post and their keeper, not surprisingly just came and caught it. What’s more he did the same thing at twice???

Surely he has to throw it into an area around the six yard box, where the keeper would hesitate to come out to, if we are to have any hope of getting a head on it and profiting from what is effectively a corner.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Also, if exhibit A is Wilder’s own words, exhibit B Wilder’s actions, as exhibit C here is explicitly BO placed as primary cover for Stevens on the board with the arrow of support to central midfield. Think that’s fairly conclusive.

Actually quite interesting to revisit this, nearly a year on from the November meeting it was snapped, as it highlights where we had been planning to strengthen in the January/summer windows.

1. First choice keeper (Bought - Ramsdale)
2. Backup RWB (Bought - Bogle)
(numbers less clear)
3. Backup LCB (Bought - J-Robs)
4. First choice DCM, and a reminder that even last November the thoughts had turned to Norwood being more backup this season (Bought - Berge)
5. Backup RCM that could move up front if required (Not bought)
6. First choice RCB (Not bought)
Left as ? - backup to Egan (filled with Ampadu)
Unplanned - Sharp extra year, Osborn switch with new LWB signing and Freeman leaving, Robinson leaving, new striker.

Slightly indicates that while some things have changed, the bulk has happened as planned.

View attachment 95394

Interesting revisiting that white board.

Clear that even back then he didn't think Norwood was the long term answer in that CDM role.
Berge was always bought to play that role, but because we didn't upgrade on Lundstram the balance works better with him on the right and Norwood (or Ampadu) staying in that position.

Chris Basham has completely proven him wrong.
He's probably our most consistent performer at this level now.

And he had a lot of faith in Lundstram being up to it on the right. He was only shopping for cover in his position... not sure he's repaid that faith since December / January when this pic was taken.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Interesting revisiting that white board.

Clear that even back then he didn't think Norwood was the long term answer in that CDM role.
Berge was always bought to play that role, but because we didn't upgrade on Lundstram the balance works better with him on the right and Norwood (or Ampadu) staying in that position.

Chris Basham has completely proven him wrong.
He's probably our most consistent performer at this level now.

And he had a lot of faith in Lundstram being up to it on the right. He was only shopping for cover in his position... not sure he's repaid that faith since December / January when this pic was taken.

We of course have no reference point for how that changed, as I’m sure it would have been updated by the time lockdown hit for example. But that’s the most recent Wilder Whiteboard that has made the public domain.

 

[Champagneblade]

He was signed as a central midfielder.

If that's the case, then this doesn't resonate with how Chris acted early season.

You'd have had Fleck, Freeman and Osborn as LCM and just Enda for LWB.

When Enda was out Osborne was always the go to person in cup games. When Fleck was out, he wasn't. Early on, Freeman was.

My two cents is that his thinking has possibly evolved over time, influenced perhaps by Freeman being injured after lockdown at the wrong moment, when Fleck was out, arguably a pivotal moment in Freeman's Blades career. Subsequently, Freeman goes out, Osborn assumes the role and Lowe then fills a new void, but as at September last year Osborn was Enda's deputy.

You could also argue he wasn't the obvious pick to back Enda up because at Forest he's played as a midfielder, often a wide one rather than an attacking fullback though there are not many teams play 5 at the back so recruitment does require the odd leap of faith.

He's useful. I just don't know if a team of Osborn's stays up. It wouldn't be for lack of effort though.

 

[BushBlade]

See LoughboroBlade 's post above smart arse. Initials 'BO' underneath Enda Stevens.

It seems he was always considered as a potential cover for Fleck.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

It seems he was always considered as a potential cover for Fleck.

View attachment 95398

Ignoring the white board & the part where he mentioned 'wing back.'

We can go tit-for-tat on it. But it will be boring.
Let's just conclude that he was brought in as a left sided player who could cover both roles.

 

[Tramway Blade]

If Enda starts at RCB McBernie has to start for defending set plays as Ampadu and Robinson are better in the air .

 

[stringer]

Ignoring the white board & the part where he mentioned 'wing back.'

We can go tit-for-tat on it. But it will be boring.
Let's just conclude that he was brought in as a left sided player who could cover both roles.

And the ‘pushing the likes of John Fleck’ (but not Enda Stevens).

 

[LoughboroBlade]

And the ‘pushing the likes of John Fleck’ (but not Enda Stevens).

Pushing “the likes of John Fleck” does not equal pushing John Fleck alone – again, in keeping with the fact he was brought in to compete in a number of roles. If he had said “pushing John Fleck” and left it worded as that I might be more inclined to agree. As it is...

“He’s going to put enormous pressure on a few of our positions” said Wilder at the time he signed.