yellowsmiffy wrote:Hmm not sure about this Chunky. I agree Prem players on that money should be the very best footballers, who are what we call 'complete footballers' where every side of their game should be polished, and accomplished. League 2 is different, each player will have one or two aspects wo their game which are strong, adn the rest weaker. That determines what position they are most suited to, and probably aren't anywhere near as versatile positionally.
However, Manse has played right back extremely effectively, and had an unbelievable season in central midfield last season. Player of the year at Oxford at left back. He knows how to play those roles just fine. Your previous comments about players not being able to pass or find time on the ball etc are borderline-absurd! Manse and Easton are both very good on the ball at turning out of danger under pressure, and passing the ball sideways. The only thinig they both lack, is the ability to play a cutting through-ball accurately, as they both lack the vision of someone like Eunan O'Kane, or Alex Russell. That's the kind of thing you're born with and can't coach. Not many league 2 players have that. Manse has improved as a footballer massively since his BSP days, however it's not so noticable, as we have filled the team around him with much better footballers, who all have decent touches and are much better at passing and being on the ball.
I'd also argue all the decent prem teams have attacking centre mids. Scholes/Yaya/Frank/Cabaye/Sigurdsson/Wilshire/Gerrard etc etc to name a few. They certainly don't use ball-winners and distribute the ball to the wings each time. I've seen countless interlinking exchanges in the middle of the park, leading to goals following a player being played-in on goal against the keeper. I've also seen plenty of long pin-point passes over the top, with the strikers finishing the move off with goals...
That's why Man United struggled for so long, when there was talk of them bringing in Wesley Sneider. They lacked the most integral component of a successful football team at that level, the player that makes the team tick going forward, who can control the pace of the game as he wishes. The tempo of the game is dictated by these sorts of players.
im not picking on players in general, like mansell, easton.yes i agree they are able to hold the ball and pass it sideways, the point is as professionals that is something they should be expected to do. the point being is you do not see very often a defence splitting forward pass from midfield. defences are too good now.
the point about mansells versatility is spot on and that is something i was trying to say. there should be a degree of adaptability in midfield players to be able to slot in other positions albeit temporarily. quite often right fullbacks and right mids interchange, also centre backs have slotted in to the defensive midfield position and some forwards drop deeper and cover some of the midfield roles.
i know each player has their strengths and weaknesses that is what positions and style of play is all about. i dont expect league 2 players to be polished or great at all aspects of the game or they wouldnt be here. all i am saying is they have probably been playing football since they were about 7 years old, playing at various levels, they are playing at a high level now and are professionals. i would expect any pro to be able to pass, dribble, head, tackle and shoot with at least a minimum of ability.
i didnt say centre mids pass the ball to the wings i said wide areas, meaning left and right. quite often attacking mids tease and work the ball around the edge of the box and then a player left or right puts it in the danger area. as you said simpler, interlinking exchanges. i agree you see forward passes lead to goals but quite often that is when a team has been caught on the break with a counter attack and goals from forward passes and long pinpoint passes do happen but not as a regular occurence.
a lot of opinion on here i agree with yours included i just struggle to explain what i mean in writing. believe me im not knocking our players or expecting dream football.
