Victor Wanyama - getting a lot better

[Batman]

He was miles better yesterday.

he shielding of the back 4 is excellent.

he is so strong on the ball and at times, shrugs off challenges and drives forward

 

he, for now, should be banned from passing any distance over 10 yards

 

other than that, a key reason why we have conceded so few and able to nick points at the end of games

[View From The Top]

Plenty wondered why we bought him when the Cork/Morgan axis was working so well.

 

I would imagine everyone can see now.

 

He's an utter beast.

[Saint Charlie]

The short sighted will continue to focus on what he doesnt do well but he has some huge strengths and will only get better.

 

A massive part of our side. I am pretty sure opponents must hate playing against him as he completely disrupts their rhythm.

[70's Mike]

disagree that as better title "getting a lot better"

has been doing what he did yesterday all season, just that it is only now being appreciated as people realise we are playing different style this season

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

VW is a bit of a 'blunt instrument' when compared to Jack Cork's silky smooth footballing style, a style I will point out that served us very well last season. But as any good copper soon learns, the old 'blunt instrument' can be murderously effective in the right hands.

 

A horrible player then, but I'll tell you what - I'm bloody glad he's on our side.

[ottery st mary]

In our side...thankfully..

 

Can you imagine playing against Victor...man mountain who never gives up.

 

Other aspects of his game will improve.

 

Saints....what a side we are becoming..

[Mr X]

Strong as an ox but as graceful as Godzilla probably the better player at breaking up play though, seriously bad at passing but improving

[simo]

Saying that I think if he had gone to Cardiff he wouldn't look half the player he does here with Morgan next to him and everyone defending as a team !

[trousers]

Will be a contender for player of the season at the end of the campaign. What he brings to the side completely outweighs any weaknesses.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Scored some crackers for Celtic last season and yet to show that side of his game for us.

 

Think he will be a great player for us but will need time to adjust to this new 'sitting' role

[Batman]

Scored some crackers for Celtic last season and yet to show that side of his game for us.

 

Think he will be a great player for us but will need time to adjust to this new 'sitting' role

 

he takes a great deal of pressure off of the 2 CBs. he usually wins the first header from a punt down field/goal kick that they would normally be expected to win

 

no doubt he will pick up yellows and maybe a red or two. Just the nature of the beast

[SuperMikey]

You can see what the coaches have been working on with him in training, he looks so much more comfortable on the ball now than he did against West Brom and Norwich. Seems to look to make the easier pass now too, to save giving away possession too much. He's just going to get better and better, could be a brilliant player.

 

One of the things I was looking forward to seeing yesterday was how he matched up against Fellaini - now there's no question as to who is stronger. Vic shrugged him off like a fly.

[shurlock]

Don't know what game you were all watching but his passing is a joke and liability.

 

No problems with the defensive and physical side of his game.

[Smirking_Saint]

he takes a great deal of pressure off of the 2 CBs. he usually wins the first header from a punt down field/goal kick that they would normally be expected to win

 

no doubt he will pick up yellows and maybe a red or two. Just the nature of the beast

 

This, he also allows us to press higher up in the knowledge that if we are broken against he is there with the two CBs

 

Also removes the long ball counter we saw last year working against us

[simo]

Don't know what game you were all watching but his passing is a joke and liability.

 

No problems with the defensive and physical side of his game.

 

No sheet shurlock but have you read any of the other comments?

[Batman]

when you say he is a joke. granted he does let longer passes go astray.

 

but yesterday..

 

victor completed 40/52 passes

morgan completed 45/56

 

 

fellaini completed 46/55

as did carrick

 

so, on paper, he gives the ball away little bit more than those who are supposed to be miles better at passing

[Miltonaggro]

He is a youngster, and once the rough edges are smoothed off, we will have our very own Viera. But built like a JCB!...

[The Cat]

I do get frustrated by his passing at times but he gives us so much defensively that I'm more than prepared to overlook it. Without the protection he gives our defence we would surely have conceded more goals this season.

[shurlock]

when you say he is a joke. granted he does let longer passes go astray.

 

but yesterday..

 

victor completed 40/52 passes

morgan completed 45/56

 

 

fellaini completed 46/55

as did carrick

 

so, on paper, he gives the ball away little bit more than those who are supposed to be miles better at passing

 

If you consider a two yard layoff to a player behind, then sure, fill your socks yesterday.

 

That said, among all the miscues, he did hit a lovely cross-field pass.

 

One observation is that he has to open up his body and side foot the ball when he attempt a pass. You don't get the time or space to do that in the Prem. I also never want to see Boruc again rolling the ball out to Wanyama outside the area with his back to play.

 

Agree with the Cat, am happy to let alot of this slide as long as he succeeds in protecting our defence.

Edited 20 October, 2013 by shurlock

[DuncanRG]

He is outstanding defensively and has made an enormous difference to our team in that regard. He deserves as much credit as Lovren and Fonte for our strength at the back.

 

I can't count the number of times yesterday when it looked like we were going to get caught in possession, no way out for the guy on the ball and up popped Victor to take it simple and move it on into space. His passing and decision making are still issues but he's young and raw. As a black, foreign, big money player he sadly doesn't get the lenience any of our English boys would in the same situation but he'll get there.

[shurlock]

He is outstanding defensively and has made an enormous difference to our team in that regard. He deserves as much credit as Lovren and Fonte for our strength at the back.

 

I can't count the number of times yesterday when it looked like we were going to get caught in possession, no way out for the guy on the ball and up popped Victor to take it simple and move it on into space. His passing and decision making are still issues but he's young and raw. As a black, foreign, big money player he sadly doesn't get the lenience any of our English boys would in the same situation but he'll get there.

 

Behave

[S-Clarke]

I doubt his passing will ever improve that much, he's not that sort of player. But he will do all the ugly things, and his strength is just immense. The way he held off Fellani a few times yesterday was pretty impressive.

 

I don't think he's that bad technically, but he's not a pretty player. But every side needs a player who breaks it up like him, and we've got a really, really good one.

[Cabrone]

I think he's been a fantastic signing, an absolute wrecking machine of a midfielder and when teamed up with Schneiderlin a real force field that breaks up many attacks before they have even got going.

 

His passing is nowhere as bad as those on here would have you believe and will improve.

 

When it does we will have one of the very best defensive midfielders in the prem on out hands.

 

I bet the opposition shudder at the thought of having to face him.

[saintadjg]

good to see some love for Big Vic ,he's like The Incredible Hulk things (ie players )just bounce off him.he's never gonna be graceful or the prettiest player to watch but he's there to destroy the opposition attacks and in that he's an absolute wrecking machine.i wouldn't swap him for anyone else in his role ,in fact i think the same goes for our entire back 7 right now.Be interesting to see how he copes against another colossus like Lukaku .

[Appy]

I thought he was superb yesterday, won the midfield battle for us along with Schneiderlin.

[Saint Martini]

when you say he is a joke. granted he does let longer passes go astray.

 

but yesterday..

 

victor completed 40/52 passes

morgan completed 45/56

 

 

fellaini completed 46/55

as did carrick

 

so, on paper, he gives the ball away little bit more than those who are supposed to be miles better at passing

 

Its the kind of passes he ****s up that are soo annoying (as well as making him a liability in some ways). He mostly plays low risk balls like a CB would do and rarely passes forward. As a result of this he should have a passcompletion near to 90% which is usual for. CB. VW manages to **** up the easy balls a bit to often for my liking by not puting wnogh pace on the ball and/or mis-hitting it by a few yards. I think he tried to pass to a wide-open Shaw 3 times yesterday but every time Rafael got in between. Its sloppy and if he doesn't improve this part of his game I'd prefer Cork or JWP over VW in matches against defensive teams.

[farawaysaint]

http://www.givemesport.com/392626-manchester-united-signed-the-wrong-midfielder?autoplay=on

[The9]

when you say he is a joke. granted he does let longer passes go astray.

 

but yesterday..

 

victor completed 40/52 passes

morgan completed 45/56

 

 

fellaini completed 46/55

as did carrick

 

so, on paper, he gives the ball away little bit more than those who are supposed to be miles better at passing

 

And these are the margins upon which these judgements are made. Nice of you to support everyone's beliefs with some stats.

 

FWIW I'm pretty sure even the people who were really critical of his wastefulness early on have realised our improved defensive performance is no coincidence and it's just something we'll have to live with for the greater good.

[The9]

Its the kind of passes he ****s up that are soo annoying (as well as making him a liability in some ways). He mostly plays low risk balls like a CB would do and rarely passes forward. As a result of this he should have a passcompletion near to 90% which is usual for. CB. VW manages to **** up the easy balls a bit to often for my liking by not puting wnogh pace on the ball and/or mis-hitting it by a few yards. I think he tried to pass to a wide-open Shaw 3 times yesterday but every time Rafael got in between. Its sloppy and if he doesn't improve this part of his game I'd prefer Cork or JWP over VW in matches against defensive teams.

 

I think this is fair comment as well. I'd be interested to see if his pass completion is actually better under pressure than it is unchallenged, he's excellent under pressure and a bit less good when he's not as focused on the challenge.

[Smirking_Saint]

Behave

 

You dont live up to your username do you ?

[david in sweden]

another new signing who is " expected" to become our saviour every week....but I don't think he's done badly so far.

 

Yes everyone admits the physicality and pace of the Prem. takes a lot of newcomers by surprise, but he's giving as good as he gets and given time I think VW will become a real asset .

[John Boy Saint]

First viewing of him was in Spain pre season where the first impression was blimey the bloke is built like a brick outhouse. I was surprised though when looking through the photos taken with the players post match in one Rickie and Victor are stood with us and Victor looks so much smaller next to Rickie.

I think the fact that he is still only 22 so still able to learn easily will see him getting better and better under a coach like MP, as others have said the guy is a blunt instrument and tenacious with it. I have said it many times before Lawrie Mac always said the best teams are made up of Violinists and Roadsweepers, in Victor and Morgan that analogy seems to be surfacing (although Morgan does have a sprinkling of Nigel Kennedy devilment).

Overall I am surprised at the battering Victor and Dani are getting from some quarters, god help Dejan if he has a couple of off colour games.

[torsaint]

when you say he is a joke. granted he does let longer passes go astray.

 

but yesterday..

 

victor completed 40/52 passes

morgan completed 45/56

 

 

fellaini completed 46/55

as did carrick

 

so, on paper, he gives the ball away little bit more than those who are supposed to be miles better at passing

 

Very glad someone posted this as I watched him closely at OT yesterday and reckoned his pass completion rate was around 75%. So it was good to see that confirmed. His ability to break up opposition attacks is awesome so I suspect overall he may be the best midfielder around at the moment. You could see United were terrified of him whereas our players were not intimidated by Fellaini at all.