Shane Long - in defence!

[Fezza]

Not a thread in defence of his ability I promise!

I have noticed in the games that shane has played this season that he is a real asset when defending corners, am I mad or is this the case?

If I am right are there many cases of goal shy centre forwards who have moved to positions in the centre of defence or defencive midfield. Obviously the uuuubbbbeeeerrrr kunt Alan Smith comes to mind, are there any others?

Could this be an option for Shane if goal scoring isn't his thing?

Needless to say I am impressed with his current (improved) work ethic.

[Row Z Royal]

He certainly looks like he's shed a few pounds since before Christmas. That's undoubtedly contributing to him putting himself about more.

[Millsy]

As far as I'm concerned few strikers had the energy Mr Kitson had. He was at ties our best defender too.

Let's hope Long learns from this.

[Ian Royal]

Dion Dublin...

I don't think he has what it takes to play in defence or midfield, his first touch is poor, his footballing brain isn't great and he reacts badly to decisions going against him.

Mind you I don't think he has what it takes to play upfront either....

[Row Z Royal]

He's no Gary Docherty...

[Maguire]

Dion Dublin....

He's the most notable I reckon, but Marcus Gayle was a good forward who converted to a pretty admirable centre-half whilst at Watford before (i think) going back up front later in his career when he moved down the leagues.

[Pseud O'Nym]

As far as I'm concerned few strikers had the energy Mr Kitson had. He was at ties our best defender too.

Didn't he start his career as a full back?

[Ian Royal]

Dion Dublin....

He's the most notable I reckon, but Marcus Gayle was a good forward who converted to a pretty admirable centre-half whilst at Watford before (i think) going back up front later in his career when he moved down the leagues.

There are definitely a few, but it's fairly rare. Forgot Gayle.

[The Prisoner]

Chris Sutton was a also a defender who converted to attack....

[Maguire]

Chris Sutton was a also a defender who converted to attack....

I think more defenders have gone to play up front (Leicester under O'Neill started with Matt Elliot up front sometimes - I recall him scoring twice at Goodison) than the other way round.

[Plymouth_Royal]

Not a thread in defence of his ability I promise!

I have noticed in the games that shane has played this season that he is a real asset when defending corners, am I mad or is this the case?

If I am right are there many cases of goal shy centre forwards who have moved to positions in the centre of defence or defencive midfield. Obviously the uuuubbbbeeeerrrr kunt Alan Smith comes to mind, are there any others?

Could this be an option for Shane if goal scoring isn't his thing?

Needless to say I am impressed with his current (improved) work ethic.

What has the world come to.

[Alan Partridge]

Steve Watson was very much utility, and played a fair few games up front in his career.

[Millsy]

As far as I'm concerned few strikers had the energy Mr Kitson had. He was at ties our best defender too.

Didn't he start his career as a full back?

I didn't know that! Makes sense if so....

[Franchise FC]

Why has no-one mentioned the MOST notable

I give you - Steve Hetzke

[PEARCEY]

Why has no-one mentioned the MOST notable

I give you - Steve Hetzke

Perhaps because your talking about something that happened around 35 years ago!!!

[Plymouth_Royal]

As far as I'm concerned few strikers had the energy Mr Kitson had. He was at ties our best defender too.

Didn't he start his career as a full back?

I didn't know that! Makes sense if so....

Couldn't find anything on him playing full back. But that's not to say it's untrue.

[Victor Meldrew]

Gary Birtles?
The long haired afro man from Everton who always had his socks rolled down?

[Pseud O'Nym]

Didn't he start his career as a full back?

I didn't know that! Makes sense if so....

Couldn't find anything on him playing full back. But that's not to say it's untrue.

I can't find it now. I'm sure it was in a magazine interview that was on line, maybe I imagined it.

[Challisman]

Probably the most notable for me was Paul Warhurst when he was at Sheffield Wednesday. Signed as a defender then reverted to an emergency striker & ended up getting selected by England as a striker.

[Lower West]

Sol Campbell was a striker. Spurs played him at left back initially before converting him into a centre half.