Thread by @vybhavbadri

DECODING: Aaron Wan Bissaka
Part 1: Derby
in light of UTD's interest in Trippier, i decided to look at take a look at some of Awb's pre season perfomances
first, we will have a look at the match against derby in which Awb played 45 minutes.
(NOTE: no audio on the clips)

UTD lined up up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Awb at right back. We didn't see any of the rumoured 4-3-3 that Ole apparently will use.
UTD looked to build up with a 2+3 shape with one of the full backs ( generally Awb) tucking in to form a band of 3 and the other pushing up

Derby played in a similar 4-2-3-1 formation with ex UTD academy graduate Ravel Morrison as part of the attacking quadrant.
he was most commonly in central areas with Tom Lawrence high and wide on the left, although the line up shows him to be playing on the left

UTD generally defended in a compact 4-4-2 block, with small distances, horizontally and back to front.
Mata and Mason tried to stop central passes and force derby out wide, where united would defend more aggressively with man orientations

this was also seen with UTD's pressing higher up the pitch, where Mata and Greenwood tried to prevent derby's pivot players getting on the ball and force the ball wide.
that was the pressing trigger where UTD would then lock in and press more intently

derby built up in a similar 2+3 shape to UTD.
the common theme was to try draw the UTD full back out wide+ the striker staying central to pin the centrebacks before making in to out runs from midfield.
if progress wasn't possible, derby would then look to switch the play.

united meanwhile had a similar shape with 2 no.10s, looking to draw derby out before attacking through quick vertical passes or looking to pin derby before playing out wide.
Awb needed to contribute to build up in the band of 3 or provide overlaps and crosses whenever he was fwd.

now we have a fair idea of the tactical set ups, lets dive in to his defending
1. 1v1's and tracking runs
Derby, like a lot of teams, didnt try a lot of 1v1's vs AWB but tried to draw him out using either the left back or or the left winger before attacking the space he leaves.

in this case, it is imperative he stays switched on as with UTD's man to man set up out wide, a single free player can lead to overloads throughout.
We saw this against Sevilla where he switched off and let Reguilon underlap unchecked. This played a part in the first goal

in this game, he was good with his tracking generally.
1.Derby try a combo similar to the sevilla goal but Awb is alert, tracking his man while also being in a position to intercept any pass.
2: he is alert and covers well, such that he is able to nip in when Tuanzebe is beaten

this is the one case where he doesnt get back.
As Derby break, he tries to pass his man on to Tuanzebe. However, when the CB is taken away by Baldock, Awb must try to get back goal side.
This is something Robertson is excellent at.
He looked visibly drained due to pre season so

its minor.
this was his only real 1v1 in the match and here he
1. Avoids commiting, allowing Mason to get back
2. maintains an angle showing Aluko onto his weak foot
3. Crouches slightly so he is ready to spring into blocking/tackling
superb 1v1 defending

2. Back post defending:
Awb wasn't really tested 1v1 much in this game but when he was, he got caught out.
Derby attack using the pattern of playing down one side before switching, and he fails to stay alert to Lawrence who is coming in behind him and Derby have a massive chance.

If we watch the replay, its clear that he does scan once to see lawrence but he doesnt scan a second time, meaning he is unaware of the run. he also switches off as the cross is towards tuanzebe rather than dropping to clear it in case it comes across so is caught out.

we saw this mistake against QPR as well.
it stems down to him not scanning multiple times, hence he is aware of players but isnt aware if they make a run later.
he also isnt naturally pessimistic and switches off if the ball isnt initially towards him so he can get caught out.

Its a well trodden line among ex players that an attacker must gamble and be optimistic whereas a defender must be covering space, expecting the worst.
Shaw is quite good at this as he regularly covers the space and hoovers deep crosses.
two things Awb must improve on.

3. Build up play:
Awb was farely erratic in build up in this match, occasionally producing some good passes and good moments however also flattering to deceive on multiple occasions.
Awb is a confidence player, whose performance is dependant on how he starts matches.

this clip was a common occurence, where he refused possible aggressive passes and kept playing square to avoid making mistakes. He played square on far too many occasions and was risk averse. When playing in the 3 of a 2+3 build up, u need to be a lot more progressive.

Awb's confidence resulted in his technique fluctuating, like here:
when playing square, he should be playing a firm pass into the pocket of space ahead of garner for him to receive and play forward.
instead he plays a weak ball behind him, allowing derby to steal and counter

When he did play fwd, it wasnt necessarily effective
first case: he plays a slow pass into chong which allows him to play into Mason first time. Its a solid ball as if Mason controls it better, UTD can move fwd.
2: he sees the space for a 1-2 but ends up playing the ball towards

the defender rather than towards chongs left foot; Chong does well to win the free kick.
He plays a good pass for the goal. The perfect weight and angle considering mata's run, allowing him to lay it into chong and draw the midfielder out.
That ends up creating the gap for Garner

Awb has to improve on his fwd passing as if we contrast it with trippiers game.
According to fbref, Trippier is in the 99th percentile for progressive passes, 98th percentile for passes into the penalty area, 83rd percentile for passes into the final third.
In Short: excellent

Attacking runs and Final third play:
This was probably his most dissapointing facet as he didnt really get fwd often enough and didnt recognise opportunities to drive and he missed opportunities to make runs into space leading to UTD looking pedestrian

In this case: he recieves a good fwd pass with the possibility of driving fwd up against Aluko. he doesnt do so but plays chong in behind. This isn't bad per say but its his second phase which is the issue.
He doesn't see the space created by the doublt team on Chong and make any

runs. If he did, he'd either take a defender away leaving Chong 1v1 or would be attacking the space.
here again, his second phase is poor. He does well to direct Garner to play wide to Chong but then doesn't peel out wide to create a passing lane for Mason. causing a turnover.

here, he recieves a good pass from tuanzebe, into the space where he can drive. His body positioning is iffy as its towards the ball rather than at an incline but Tuanzebe's pass forces him fwd.
Meanwhile, Chong and Elanga are 2v2 at the back post and a touch and whip from AWB

could yield a goal. He plays backwards and the attack dies down.
Finally, he evades pressure well and finds Mason but doesn't recognise that the full back has been drawn out.
Ideally, he should be running forward for a first time ball from Garner into the space for his overlap

Williams meanwhile, made a couple of excellent aggressive overlaps, like in this case:
The instant Levitt gets the ball, Brandon has seen the space and is on his bike recognising that the Rb was drawn out by Chong. Its the sort of run that Awb could have made.

overall, i would say that AWB had a fairly average display. He showed moments of quality as well as erratic moments on the ball.
His 1v1s and space covering was good but his defense of crosses was once again exposed. A game which kind off somes him up at the moment.

Ill be analysing his game against everton and would love any possible feedback!
if u like it, please do like and RT

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