After a brief look at the PHB, I'm changing my position to "To me, 5e Fighter's options for protecting others aren't reliable or accessible enough to allow them to fulfill their class fantasy."

After all...

Quote Originally Posted by Cheesegear View Post
...I think the main problem with 5e, is that "Protecting Your Allies" is simply a "suboptimal" way to play the game. Protecting your allies isn't worth doing. At least; The best way to protect your allies is to kill the hostile. Do more damage. Worry about healing later.
...if the explicit options for protecting others are weak enough that the best defensive option is doling out damage, then aren't those defensive abilities underpowered?