Does your team have enough full backs?

[Carver]

I'm just wondering because for the past few years now we have always struggled for cover with these positions, whether it be the left or right side.

Is it just us or does every other team feel like they lack in this area and end up having to use make shift full backs when your one and only actual left/right back gets suspended or injured?

It's an ongoing issue with us every season and I'm sick of it.

 

[Chris FGR]

Probably cos it's a specialist position, you only get 1 left/right back per team and if they're decent they'll play every week, and won't get subbed off very often. Who wants to go to a club as back up full back? It's like being second choice keeper.

 

[Stringy]

I always played full back but I always thought full back was the easiest position to play. Is that just my view from playing there as a youngster or do others with different natural positions feel the same?

 

[shoddycollins]

I'd certainly argue that for a club at this level to have a player whose only role is backup for one of the full-back positions is a waste of a wage unless they're a first or second year pro.

Pressley's 'model' defence of a left-back and right-back with two left-footed centre-backs and two right-footed is probably the same squad composition most managers are after. The hope being that the backup centre-backs can cover full-back as well.

Our defence was assembled as thus:

LB - Jack Iredale
RB - Christie Elliott
LCB1 - Nathaniel Knight-Percival
RBC1 - Byron Webster
LCB2 - Jon Mellish
RCB2 - Aaron Hayden

with Jarrad Branthwaite being a second year pro as a bonus extra RCB.

I guess you're feeling like we've been too weak in those areas the first two games. Mellish in particular was poor and he's the backup LCB so not sure what's keeping Iredale out of the starting line-up.

To be fair we have come up against two sides whose hallmarks are attacking the opposing full-backs with pace and Christie has struggled a bit too, while all four of our goals this season have been through fast attacks of our own (Nathan Thomas must be running out of room in his pockets for all these full-backs). Surely not every team in this division plays that way.

Previously LB was a bit of a special case for us because we had Danny Grainger in that position and he was never really in the squad for his defensive ability.

 

[JJ1532]

I always played full back but I always thought full back was the easiest position to play. Is that just my view from playing there as a youngster or do others with different natural positions feel the same?

I felt the same as a kid, as it masked my lack of talent. But I think the role of a full back has changed a lot now. You are expected to do so much. You need the skills of a CB to mark at corners and win headers from crosses. You are expected to be able to defend well, often without cover from a winger. Then you are asked to get up the pitch all the time as an extra attacker, being expected to whip in crosses and maybe chip in with a goal or two.

I think it's one of the hardest, because it's one of the most demanding physically, you are expected to both defend and attack in equal measure, you need superb positional discipline.

 

[shoddycollins]

I felt the same as a kid, as it masked my lack of talent. But I think the role of a full back has changed a lot now. You are expected to do so much. You need the skills of a CB to mark at corners and win headers from crosses. You are expected to be able to defend well, often without cover from a winger. Then you are asked to get up the pitch all the time as an extra attacker, being expected to whip in crosses and maybe chip in with a goal or two.

I think it's one of the hardest, because it's one of the most demanding physically, you are expected to both defend and attack in equal measure, you need superb positional discipline.

Yeah in the famous Arsenal back four of Winterburn, Bould (or Keown), Adams and Dixon the full-backs were basically just wide centre-backs who almost never went on the attack. Same when you think of ManYoo full backs of the same era, Irwin and Parker. Great players but managers probably wouldn't want them these days.

 

[valefan16]

Yeah in the famous Arsenal back four of Winterburn, Bould (or Keown), Adams and Dixon the full-backs were basically just wide centre-backs who almost never went on the attack. Same when you think of ManYoo full backs of the same era, Irwin and I can't remember who was at right-back.

Paul Parker, then G Neville (assuming your not being sarcastic about G Nev!)

Nowdays full backs are expected to attack, get balls in etc so it is a different ball game, the Brazilians I assume triggered that idea with players like Carlos!

 

[Big Bird]

LB - Zeki Fryers/ Rob Hunt/ Joe Romanski (youth)
RB - Rob Hunt/Tyler Reid

Fairly well covered to be honest. Then we have 4 centre backs in Baudry, Conroy, Ballard and Broadbent with Fryers able to play there if needed. Defence looks well stacked for a change.

 

[shoddycollins]

Paul Parker, then G Neville (assuming your not being sarcastic about G Nev!)

Nowdays full backs are expected to attack, get balls in etc so it is a different ball game, the Brazilians I assume triggered that idea with players like Carlos!

Nah Parker was who I was thinking of, I think Neville's career certainly overlapped with Irwin's but they were different generations. Neville was one of the earlier attacking full backs, not in terms of goals but certainly got up the pitch. Think Winterburn was the first of Arsenal's back four to retire and they replaced him with Silvinho and then of course Ashley Cole.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

We have got around this by having wing backs who are essentially wingers. One full back has become a centre back, one has been sent on loan and I suspect another (tafori moore may do too). One full back has been converted to a wing back. Our back up wing backs appear to be wingers. And we have recruited a CB who can play both full backs if necessary.

So the answer to your problem Shoddy appears to be don’t play full backs. Simples!

 

[Indian Dan]

What makes the difference at this level is the quality, or lack thereof, of the back up players.

I reckon we’re fine in defence and midfield but woefully lacking in strikers. This may well be put right in the next 2 weeks - or not.

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

First two games of the season we've had Archibald as RWB; Pearson would be my first choice there as he was excellent last season, but may not be fit and/or sticking around; we brought another RWB in on loan from Birmingham on Friday; and Welch-Hayes can play there but has looked much better as a CB.

On the left we have Banks playing and Fitz as cover as long as he stays; MWH was used there (badly) last year; Archibald should be able to play there too I guess as he is left-footed. Campbell isn't afraid to play someone out of position as wing back (hello Tyrone Marsh as RWB when clinging onto a vital 1-0 lead at Vale), so overall I guess we have plenty of cover for these positions (but then no wingersas we don't used them).

 

[Crewelad87]

In my opinion we have two of the best and most effective in Ng and Pickering, but after that we've only the experienced and versatile Nicky Hunt after that it's kids with next to no games played in them, Johnson, Abedesi and Lundstram.

 

[Kauto Star]

Weve struggled at left back since James Meredith left us for Millwall 2 years ago. His replacement Adam Chicksen was woeful for 2 seasons. We tried ex Leicester youngster Connor Wood for a few games last season, but he looked out of his depth, and is now a permanent fixture on the bench.

We brought in Jackson Longridge from Dunfermline in the summer, and we were told that we beat a few other clubs to his signature. However, so far, Bowyer has preferred playing a right back, Adam Henley, at left back, and he has struggled.

So, maybe the best solution is to bring back James Meredith, who has had his contract terminated at Millwall, for something that has nothing to do with football apparently

 

[LeonTheGreen]

We’ve got a few players who could slot in the “wing back” roles if needs be. Joe Riley and Tafari Moore on the right, and only Callum McFadzean on the left. Although Conor Grant can do a shift there. I think Byron Moore can play wingback too.

 

[Chris FGR]

I played right midfield when I was younger, not the trickiest, quite big, liked a tackle, decent cross and could run all day. Was a bang average wide midfielder. Would have made a cracking right wing back, should have played there, but we didn't play them.

Can still do a job there for good pub sides, so would be willing to listen to an offer from Carlisle if they're short of cover there..

 

[shoddycollins]

I played right midfield when I was younger, not the trickiest, quite big, liked a tackle, decent cross and could run all day. Was a bang average wide midfielder. Would have made a cracking right wing back, should have played there, but we didn't play them.

Can still do a job there for good pub sides, so would be willing to listen to an offer from Carlisle if they're short of cover there..

will you accept a one year deal?

 

[Chris FGR]

will you accept a one year deal?

I'd have to talk to my agent. See what Mr Holdsworth comes up with. Would need to be worth my while.

Would be quite an 'interesting' week in the transfer market for Carlisle, publicly go for Balotelli and end up signing me....

 

[Son of Cod]

We have...

• Luke Hendrie who is probably in the top 6/7 right backs in the division, but he's currently playing at left back.
• Elliot Hewitt who were told by the Notts County fans was a decent DMC but a shite right back. Currently playing at right back and did well on Saturday.
• Sebastian Ring left back who seems to have fallen out of favour, hence Hendrie at starting the season at left back.
• Liam Gibson left back on loan from Newcastle who got injured in pre-season.
• Harry Davis, CB who can play at right back.

...so not perfect but just about manageable. Another CB is priority, as we've only got three, with one being an 18 year old. If Davis had to move into RB, we'd be screwed as one of those CBs is potentially injured already.

I played right midfield when I was younger, not the trickiest, quite big, liked a tackle, decent cross and could run all day. Was a bang average wide midfielder. Would have made a cracking right wing back, should have played there, but we didn't play them.

Can still do a job there for good pub sides, so would be willing to listen to an offer from Carlisle if they're short of cover there..

You were one of those annoying players in your Championship Manager squad whose position was 'Defensive Midfielder Right'.

will you accept a one year deal?

Too late, he has signed for Plymouth.

 

[shoddycollins]

Too late, he has signed for Plymouth.

Can't remember him ever playing for Bury.

 

[Casey]

Over my years of watching Crawley we have always seemed to have decent full backs but we are definitely light there now but centre half worries me more.

We have five full backs but only one left back and he (Josh Doherty) only gets in the side when there are injury problems. The right backs are...

Louis Young; crosses are generally wayward and gets caught upfield...a lot.

David Sesay; lots of talk about championship clubs but only 20 odd games.

George Francombe; tends to be a midfielder who helps out but most of last year was on the right if a back three. Not sure of his best position.

Dacre-Cogly; signed with great fanfare on a season long loan from Brum. Not seen since.

We only have three centre backs at the moment. One us injured. If another gets hurt I suppose Francombe plays.

Casey