Centre-back

[ChicagoBlue]

I would argue that's because the idea that a player is exclusively a "left-sided" or "right-sided" centre back is a myth, and a silly one at that. World class players seem to be just fine playing their exact same position but shifting a few feet over.

Then you are wrong. Most CB's have a prefered side in which they are far, far more proficient. It's not remotely as simple as just "shifting a few feet", it completely changes the angles, the direction of runners you need to worry about and the way you shepherd players.

Just for one example, for a right footed RCB, you're used to shepherding people wide, away from the goal and towards your strong tackling foot. If you did the same at LCB, you'd be showing them inside into shooting position, or if you did the opposite you'd be showing them onto your weaker tackling foot instead. It makes a huge difference to the way you play the game

Do you have quotes from players talking about their preferences, or are those just cultivated from your intuitive understanding of the players when you see them out there?

Pass me a quote on the subject, or show me a statistical breakdown with a sample size long enough to meaningful -- with Player A performing admirably on one side and poorly on another -- and I'll settle for "Then you are wrong." Until then I don't think I am. Nothing has ever led me to believe I'm wrong. I've been watching the game for awhile and have seen players switch sides seamlessly, over and over, ad nauseum. It just doesn't seem to be a problem except for a few people who prefer to overthink the game and bombard it with analysis.

Two words: Joleon Lescott!

Players have a preferred side due to favored foot. Some players adapt better than others, because they are two footed, or virtually two footed. Others? Not so much.

VK has always played on the RIGHT side of the back four unless the other player is weaker on the left than he is. Kolo comes to mind. Nasty, Rekik and MDM all play on VK's left, but Nasty is two footed.

 

[Tron Coltrane]

Then you are wrong. Most CB's have a prefered side in which they are far, far more proficient. It's not remotely as simple as just "shifting a few feet", it completely changes the angles, the direction of runners you need to worry about and the way you shepherd players.

Just for one example, for a right footed RCB, you're used to shepherding people wide, away from the goal and towards your strong tackling foot. If you did the same at LCB, you'd be showing them inside into shooting position, or if you did the opposite you'd be showing them onto your weaker tackling foot instead. It makes a huge difference to the way you play the game

Do you have quotes from players talking about their preferences, or are those just cultivated from your intuitive understanding of the players when you see them out there?

Pass me a quote on the subject, or show me a statistical breakdown with a sample size long enough to meaningful -- with Player A performing admirably on one side and poorly on another -- and I'll settle for "Then you are wrong." Until then I don't think I am. Nothing has ever led me to believe I'm wrong. I've been watching the game for awhile and have seen players switch sides seamlessly, over and over, ad nauseum. It just doesn't seem to be a problem except for a few people who prefer to overthink the game and bombard it with analysis.

Two words: Joleon Lescott!

Players have a preferred side due to favored foot. Some players adapt better than others, because they are two footed, or virtually two footed. Others? Not so much.

VK has always played on the RIGHT side of the back four unless the other player is weaker on the left than he is. Kolo comes to mind. Nasty, Rekik and MDM all play on VK's left, but Nasty is two footed.

Believe me, I understand the phenomenon that some people have one foot stronger than another. What I'm asking is this: do you have a player who's played 10 games on one side and 10 games on another who you can point to say "well he's great on that side, rubbish on the other?"

Anybody who's a liability on one particular side of a partnership isn't a very good centre back, and makes me nervous being out on the pitch. That's all I'm saying. If a player's run can drag one CB to another's side, and in one fell swoop expose a soft underbelly, then he probably shouldn't be playing in that position. They switch constantly in practice, constantly in real-time events, and I'm arguing that they could start on their untraditional side with a lot less of a problem then a lot of people who like to believe.

 

[BigOscar]

I would argue that's because the idea that a player is exclusively a "left-sided" or "right-sided" centre back is a myth, and a silly one at that. World class players seem to be just fine playing their exact same position but shifting a few feet over.

Then you are wrong. Most CB's have a prefered side in which they are far, far more proficient. It's not remotely as simple as just "shifting a few feet", it completely changes the angles, the direction of runners you need to worry about and the way you shepherd players.

Just for one example, for a right footed RCB, you're used to shepherding people wide, away from the goal and towards your strong tackling foot. If you did the same at LCB, you'd be showing them inside into shooting position, or if you did the opposite you'd be showing them onto your weaker tackling foot instead. It makes a huge difference to the way you play the game

Do you have quotes from players talking about their preferences, or are those just cultivated from your intuitive understanding of the players when you see them out there?

Pass me a quote on the subject, or show me a statistical breakdown with a sample size long enough to meaningful -- with Player A performing admirably on one side and poorly on another -- and I'll settle for "Then you are wrong." Until then I don't think I am. Nothing has ever led me to believe I'm wrong. I've been watching the game for awhile and have seen players switch sides seamlessly, over and over, ad nauseum. It just doesn't seem to be a problem except for a few people who prefer to overthink the game and bombard it with analysis.

Have you never wondered why CB's generally play on the same side throughout their entire career? Do you think it's just random? I can't think of too many CB's who can play equally well at either position, about the same as the amount of fullbacks who can able play both fullback positions. It's odd that you demand quotes from footballers from me, yet you declare it a "myth" with nothing but your pretty narrow minded opinion to back it up. Most managers certainly seem to believe this "myth", based on their team selections.

If you want, just go and watch them England against Germany game, where Terry was played out of position at RCB. His positioning throughout the entire game was off, instinctively drifting to his natural position and getting too far to the left. For the second goal he end up crossing over Upson and going all the way to the wing, leaving a massive hole in the middle.

It's just common sense. You spend your entire career learning the subtle positioning required for your position, in order to do it instinctively. If you then switch position, all your instincts are wrong, you will obviously be worse off.

 

[Tron Coltrane]

Then you are wrong. Most CB's have a prefered side in which they are far, far more proficient. It's not remotely as simple as just "shifting a few feet", it completely changes the angles, the direction of runners you need to worry about and the way you shepherd players.

Just for one example, for a right footed RCB, you're used to shepherding people wide, away from the goal and towards your strong tackling foot. If you did the same at LCB, you'd be showing them inside into shooting position, or if you did the opposite you'd be showing them onto your weaker tackling foot instead. It makes a huge difference to the way you play the game

Do you have quotes from players talking about their preferences, or are those just cultivated from your intuitive understanding of the players when you see them out there?

Pass me a quote on the subject, or show me a statistical breakdown with a sample size long enough to meaningful -- with Player A performing admirably on one side and poorly on another -- and I'll settle for "Then you are wrong." Until then I don't think I am. Nothing has ever led me to believe I'm wrong. I've been watching the game for awhile and have seen players switch sides seamlessly, over and over, ad nauseum. It just doesn't seem to be a problem except for a few people who prefer to overthink the game and bombard it with analysis.

Have you never wondered why CB's generally play on the same side throughout their entire career? Do you think it's just random? I can't think of too many CB's who can play equally well at either position, about the same as the amount of fullbacks who can able play both fullback positions. It's odd that you demand quotes from footballers from me, yet you declare it a "myth" with nothing but your pretty narrow minded opinion to back it up. Most managers certainly seem to believe this "myth", based on their team selections.

If you want, just go and watch them England against Germany game, where Terry was played out of position at RCB. His positioning throughout the entire game was off, instinctively drifting to his natural position and getting too far to the left. For the second goal he end up crossing over Upson and going all the way to the wing, leaving a massive hole in the middle.

It's just common sense. You spend your entire career learning the subtle positioning required for your position, in order to do it instinctively. If you then switch position, all your instincts are wrong, you will obviously be worse off.

A) I'm not arguing that players don't have preferences. I'm just arguing those preferences are akin to whether or not they'd like their rental car to be a manual transmission or automatic -- they should be proficient at either.

B) Full-backs are a wide position. If you're arguing that central positions should be subject to the same scrutiny, are you suggesting that in a 4-2-3-1 formation Fernandinho is capable of playing on the right side of that "2," but completely out of position on the left side of it?

C) I give up. Feel like I'm derailing a perfectly good thread. I'm not going to convince you guys, doesn't seem like you're going to convince me (though I promise I have an open mind), and I might be alone on this one. So white flag officially waved, we can continue discussing left-sided CB options to partner Vinny next season. Apologies for the side-show.

 

[Mancitybluemoon1]

I didn't know anything about this guy...did we show any interest?


West Ham see off Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City to land £7.2m Cheikhou Kouyate

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/483097/West-Ham-see-off-Arsenal-Liverpool-and-Man-City-to-land-7-2m-Cheikhou-Kouyate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... ou-Kouyate</a>

WEST HAM are close to confirming a deal for Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate after the player passed a medical yesterday.

While the deal is yet to be made official by West Ham reports in Belgium suggest the fee is €9m (£7.2m) with the player signing a four-year contract.

The Hammers appear to have seen off interest from several clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City to land the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese international took to Facebook to thank Anderlecht and ask fans to continue to support him at the Hammers.

He said: "Thanks Anderlecht, you have been a special club and you will always remain in my heart.

"Thank you to my team-mates, the staff, the coaches and especially the supporters, you have been awesome and you also in my heart.

"It's time that I take flight, maybe I will return someday. I hope you will continue to follow me in my new club, West Ham. Thanks again."

 

[pudge]

I didn't know anything about this guy...did we show any interest?


West Ham see off Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City to land £7.2m Cheikhou Kouyate

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/483097/West-Ham-see-off-Arsenal-Liverpool-and-Man-City-to-land-7-2m-Cheikhou-Kouyate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... ou-Kouyate</a>

WEST HAM are close to confirming a deal for Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate after the player passed a medical yesterday.

While the deal is yet to be made official by West Ham reports in Belgium suggest the fee is €9m (£7.2m) with the player signing a four-year contract.

The Hammers appear to have seen off interest from several clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City to land the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese international took to Facebook to thank Anderlecht and ask fans to continue to support him at the Hammers.

He said: "Thanks Anderlecht, you have been a special club and you will always remain in my heart.

"Thank you to my team-mates, the staff, the coaches and especially the supporters, you have been awesome and you also in my heart.

"It's time that I take flight, maybe I will return someday. I hope you will continue to follow me in my new club, West Ham. Thanks again."

He was a beast on FIFA 13

That's all I know... but all I need to know, right?

 

[Davs 19]

I didn't know anything about this guy..did we show any interest?


West Ham see off Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City to land £7.2m Cheikhou Kouyate

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/483097/West-Ham-see-off-Arsenal-Liverpool-and-Man-City-to-land-7-2m-Cheikhou-Kouyate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... ou-Kouyate</a>

WEST HAM are close to confirming a deal for Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate after the player passed a medical yesterday.

While the deal is yet to be made official by West Ham reports in Belgium suggest the fee is €9m (£7.2m) with the player signing a four-year contract.

The Hammers appear to have seen off interest from several clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City to land the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese international took to Facebook to thank Anderlecht and ask fans to continue to support him at the Hammers.

He said: "Thanks Anderlecht, you have been a special club and you will always remain in my heart.

"Thank you to my team-mates, the staff, the coaches and especially the supporters, you have been awesome and you also in my heart.

"It's time that I take flight, maybe I will return someday. I hope you will continue to follow me in my new club, West Ham. Thanks again."

Tricky one that. What do you reckon ?

 

[Hart of the Matter]

Did my eyes deceive me. Was Vincent playing as left CB today for Belgium?

 

[Davs 19]

Did my eyes deceive me. Was Vincent playing as left CB today for Belgium?

He was indeed.

 

[Gundogan's Moustache]

Hector Moreno anyone?