Ainsley Maitland-Niles

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Re: Ainsley Maitland-Niles

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StirlingBlue wrote: Sun Sep 13, 2026 11:55 am There was one moment yesterday where he did some clever dribbling under pressure to retain possession rather than just lump it up field, he then passed it to Pickford who miskicked it right to their player - Moyes will soon coach that trying to retain possession out of him
Yeah, that was a painful watch. It's like our midfield has been so conditioned to the ball going to right back and then disappearing from there into a black hole of dread where football dies, that they didn't even consider he might get out of that position. Pickford was more or less his only pass.
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Re: Ainsley Maitland-Niles

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Done well so far, he has stepped up and seems to know how to play as modern right back.
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He's nothing amazing going forward but at least tries to, defensively sound. Not a lot to complain about
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My kid asked if I like AMN and I said the best compliment I can give him, is that I don't even realise he's there.

My kid was confused until I explained that I never ever felt that way when JOB or Rohl played there. It was never comfortable enough to just forget who was playing the position.
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AjaxAndy wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2026 4:08 pm My kid asked if I like AMN and I said the best compliment I can give him, is that I don't even realise he's there.

My kid was confused until I explained that I never ever felt that way when JOB or Rohl played there. It was never comfortable enough to just forget who was playing the position.
Good way to look at.
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He's alright, quite smart in knowing when to pass it back to the keeper or just knock it out of play when under pressure as well. We could probably make more of getting him in some midfield positions as many a fullback do now
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Shogun wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2026 5:59 pm He's alright, quite smart in knowing when to pass it back to the keeper or just knock it out of play when under pressure as well. We could probably make more of getting him in some midfield positions as many a fullback do now
lol the thought of Moyes doing a Pep
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4m for this lad is an absolute bargain. Just knows what he's doing and very comfortable on the ball, just wish we'd try and use the right hand side a bit more and utilise his passing and crossing more.
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I’m very happy with him so far. He cost next to nothing and is better in my mind than the other players we were willing to pay 12-15m for - maybe not Munoz for 20m but one Hayden Hackney cheaper. I also think he’s not fully fit or at least not prem fit so will only improve. The whole team needs time to gel too.
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I'm not sure he's happy with the 50/50 balls Pickford keeps pinging at his head......

He's been steady , to the point it's an improvement on what we had previously.....
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Shogun wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2026 5:59 pm He's alright, quite smart in knowing when to pass it back to the keeper or just knock it out of play when under pressure as well. We could probably make more of getting him in some midfield positions as many a fullback do now
Noticed that a few times.

Turned down the opportunity of going back to Pickford or trying to be smart for the option of booting it into Row Z and allowing us to get back in and set. Simple but sensible.
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He is a clever player and can put decent crosses in big improvement at rb
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For £4m this has been an absolutely great but if business
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I actually feel he looks better going forward than defending. He's not bad defensively but very average.

Where he's been great for me is in his passing and movement. Feels like the rest of the team need to get used to having a proper comfortable footballer at RB and need to utilise him more. Seems like a really clever player
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Risky wrote: Sun Sep 20, 2026 12:40 pm I actually feel he looks better going forward than defending. He's not bad defensively but very average.

Where he's been great for me is in his passing and movement. Feels like the rest of the team need to get used to having a proper comfortable footballer at RB and need to utilise him more. Seems like a really clever player
Think we need to get used to being able to utilise the right side generally. We are so used to having someone both at full back and the wing who doesn't get forward we put everything down the left. Niles and Dibling could be a very good combination
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