SWP & AJ - Wingers or midfielders?

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Prestwich_Blue

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Watching the two of them over the last couple of weekends it struck me that both are wasted out wide and would be more effective in more central roles

AJ is very dangerous around the edge of the box and often makes intelligent runs towards goal. He seems more comfortable in an inside forward type of role.

SWP, while not as technically gifted as AJ, will run all day, work hard defensively and has a shot on him. He'd be far more effective than James Milner in a more central, deeper-lying role.

Agree or disagree?
 
strongly disagree. no offense mate but I have no idea what you are talking about.

they're both natural wingers (the only two at City right now, actually) and are physically inept at playing a midfield role.
 
Agree, like a deep lying inside forward?

Errm, we have David Silva playing there. One of them can play there for the early CL games to keep Silva fresh.

Who's going to supply Dzeko if he starts, which has been his biggest problem, no service.

So in theory yes, but it all depends on the formation. Can't see SWP starting many games again, we've only got 11 places in the team.
 
mentioned this on another thread, aj would thrive there but I'm doubtful about shaun, his place is on the wing, albeit as an impact player
 
Wingers by essence are attack minded. Speed and skill are paramount, and the ability to cross a ball. Midfielders need less speed and more stamina, an ability to read the game well, tackle, and not give the ball away. Imagine Whitey in midfield, or NDJ on the wing? They are what they are, and IMO its wingers.
 
IOWBlue said:
Wingers by essence are attack minded. Speed and skill are paramount, and the ability to cross a ball. Midfielders need less speed and more stamina, an ability to read the game well, tackle, and not give the ball away. Imagine Whitey in midfield, or NDJ on the wing? They are what they are, and IMO its wingers.
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But look at players like Giggs and Beckham, who have come inside and thrived. Beardsley did as well didn't he?
 
Hi Prestwich Blue, IMO that was later in their careers, after they lost the key element of speed, SWP and AJ still have it and thats why i reckon they should be there ;)
 
Disagree - Milner is a very good central midfielder, SWP isn't, he's a decent wide player coming to the end of his career.

AJ could make a name for himself in a more central position though.
 
short passes in and around the middle is the way forward,Swp and Aj can both manage it so i agree with the op.Fwiw i believe the age of conventional wing play is past,like big centre-forwards who can only head it,likewise defenders who are just cloggers.Pace and ball skills in every position is the basis for world class performance.When Holland had it in the 70's it was so good to watch.
 
Not a bad point, Wright-Phillips has played well in central areas in the past and Johnson seems to have far better vision for a pass in the middle than on the wing where he almost never picks anyone out.
 
Sorry strongly disagree. AJ's best role is probably as a right winger. It shows of what he can do but exposes some of his flaws. It maximises the likelihood of him using his dribbling magic to elude the defender. It's just that final pass......

SWP is either gone or being deployed in the same manner as we saw against inter. IMO, we need a winger that's like a right-footed AJ without the obvious flaws.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
Watching the two of them over the last couple of weekends it struck me that both are wasted out wide and would be more effective in more central roles

AJ is very dangerous around the edge of the box and often makes intelligent runs towards goal. He seems more comfortable in an inside forward type of role.

SWP, while not as technically gifted as AJ, will run all day, work hard defensively and has a shot on him. He'd be far more effective than James Milner in a more central, deeper-lying role.
Agree or disagree?
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Do you not remember Hughes' had this thought. SWP has nowhere near the ability needed to play anywhere but right wing. People who question Milner should remember that he was named Young Player of the Year and in the Premier league team of the Year in central midfield by his fellow professionals. So lets not give him a chance hey.
SWP is lucky if he makes the 25 in his natural position, let alone in this role you've dreamed up to realise some type of nostalgic fantasy.
 
simmers said:
Milner had a great game yesterday
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Aside from pre-season training.. Milner is a good player, had a great end to the season!
 
IOWBlue said:
Wingers by essence are attack minded. Speed and skill are paramount, and the ability to cross a ball. Midfielders need less speed and more stamina, an ability to read the game well, tackle, and not give the ball away. Imagine Whitey in midfield, or NDJ on the wing? They are what they are, and IMO its wingers.
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I agree. Johnson to me, however is better on the left. Yes, he is effective enough in the middle but for me, he's a winger, with the necessary pace all wingers need.
 
Johnson could play as a 'central winger' (a player who starts in the middle and drifts to the flanks - a role Ashley Young played for England recently). He has good off the ball movement and can pick a threaded pass as well.

SWP doesn't have anywhere near the technical capabilities to play in central midfield. The bread and butter of central midfield play is pass and move, usually taking the simple option, and an extremely reliable basic technique. These are SWP weaknesses, not strengths. SWP does have decent technical attributes but they are more 'high risk/high return' type skills - dribbling, shooting, volleying, controlling awkward bouncing balls etc. He might make a success playing as a second striker but it's a bit late in his career for him to really learn the required movements - and I suspect he doesn't really have the footballing intelligence for it anyway
 
SWP had a great game against Arsenal in the 3-0 playing centrally, but he doesn't have a future there.

I think Mancio is experimenting with AJ centrally as cover for Silva, he's not done himself any harm this weekend.
 
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