by URZZZZ »
12 Nov 2020 12:01
Hendo Simmops URZZZZ
Obvious hyperbole for effect but the point isn’t a million miles off
You don’t see many “traditional wingers” in a formation anymore, so the next best thing is to put them at FB (or wing back)
You don’t have to go far to look either, Obita converted from a LM to a LB, McCleary did stints at RB/RWB and that’s just using us an example
There are so many traditional wingers and full backs in football these days.
I don't know that there are though. You don't see players like Gary Neville, Dennis Irwin, David Beckham or Ryan Giggs anymore. Full backs do pretty much both roles now, take Robertson and TAA for Liverpool, both brilliant going forward, but pretty solid at the back as well.
My thought process on wingers have always been those that hug the touchline, can take a man on and get a cross into the box
Like I said, statistically using us is an extremely small sample size but even so I’d categorise Little and Convey and Kebe and McAnuff as the aforementioned and I’d argue since then, we’ve had very few “wingers” (McCleary, Beerens, Barrow, can’t think of any more)
Going through some of the teams in the Prem now, Saka, Cash, Schlupp, Aina, the two you mentioned, Albrighton, etc etc all play fullback now
The games evolved, and as you say, you struggle to find your likes of Neville and Beckham any more