Utility players

[James_Beattie]

Yep, Phil could mistime a tackle and point in at least 3 positions lol

Don't forget the step overs lol

 

[COYBL25]

I always like it when a big grock of a centre back gets put up front.

Ian Marshall sums that one up perfectly.

Looked like a caveman and ended up playing as a centre forward full time for Ipswich after we sold him lol

 

[GwladysPhil]

That's a team in itself. didn't Jagielka cover in goal too?.

He did indeed mate, he played in goal for Sheffield and had a blinder pulling off some great saves. I don't think they put a reserve goalie on the bench after that!

 

[Groucho]

Unfortunately @Groucho Im actually more concerned with the fact that almost every player has become too 'rounded'.
A forward who just scores goals is considered a liability (see Lukaku) because he cannot hold a ball up, pass, use his right foot and doesn't run all over the pitch (I too have had a go at him in the past).

Even the attacking midfielders have a duty to track back, yet the teams play two holding midfielders and therefore take away the CAM main objective of supporting the lone striker.

Not sure if this answers your question like lol

Are we not utilising more of an old fashioned wing back now though?

 

[Eggs]

...Sandy Brown, Paul Madeley for Leeds from yesteryear.

 

[Kantareller]

Jack of all trades, master of none. Managers seem to want 2 competent players on a position nowadays, to make a simple swap when one gets injured or whatever, is my impression.

Players like Mirallas can play at any attacking position, but do you count that as an utility player? He's limited to attacking.

I'd say Coleman, he could do a job in attack.

 

[chrismpw]

Phil Neville played, LB, RB, DM

Phil Jakielka has played, CB, RB, DM and in goal in his career (at Sheffield Utd)

I kind of remember Steve Watson as playing everywhere on the right hand side, RB, RWB, RM, which I think Coleman has done for us in his time here

Didn't Steve Watson score a hat trick as a forward once? Against the toons? Memory fades.

 

[Deleted member 24970]

Are we not utilising more of an old fashioned wing back now though?

Don't know mate im not as old as you, I only know of a right back Hibbert and a wing back in coleman, not sure if there is a difference with modern/old fashioned wing backs.

The point im making is that years ago you had 11 specialists, players great in one area/aspect of the game and one utility player.
These days so many players are rounded and capable of playing in a number of positions, yet its debatable where example A plays. Take Mirallas as an example, is he a forward, winger or striker, maybe a wing forward ?

Sound mad but a utility player was still a specialist position lol

 

[MikeH72]

Didn't Steve Watson score a hat trick as a forward once? Against the toons? Memory fades.

Against Leeds, but yeah you're right. An incredible hat-trick as well, right foot half volley, lobbed Robinson out of his goal from 45 yards, then dinked one over him in the second half. He was always a great finisher for a defender.

 

[blulouie]

Mick Lyons was the best ever.

Centre back.....central striker....even played full back and in midfield on occasion

I loved big Mick

Yep..."The 6 million dollar man" big Mick.
Would play everywhere for the club.
Absolute Gent off the pitch as well.

 

[Groucho]

Don't know mate im not as old as you, I only know of a right back Hibbert and a wing back in coleman, not sure if there is a difference with modern/old fashioned wing backs.

The point im making is that years ago you had 11 specialists, players great in one area/aspect of the game and one utility player.
These days so many players are rounded and capable of playing in a number of positions, yet its debatable where example A plays. Take Mirallas as an example, is he a forward, winger or striker, maybe a wing forward ?

Sound mad but a utility player was still a specialist position lol

*rage bans.....

 

[Deleted member 24970]

*rage bans.....

Don't know mate im not as experienced as you, I only know of a right back Hibbert and a wing back in coleman, not sure if there is a difference with modern/old fashioned wing backs.

The point im making is that years ago you had 11 specialists, players great in one area/aspect of the game and one utility player.
These days so many players are rounded and capable of playing in a number of positions, yet its debatable where example A plays. Take Mirallas as an example, is he a forward, winger or striker, maybe a wing forward ?

Sound mad but a utility player was still a specialist position lol

 

[Logans run]

The best all round was Madely of Leeds, I believe he played every position bar keeper, trouble was he was too versatile, and it certainly affected his international career.
Although in my younger days with small squads and no subs you had to be more versatile than the modern player, therefore it was far more common.

 

[Westend Blue]

Could argue that Barkley is our most versatile can play all over the midfield

 

[Khalekan]

The best all round was Madely of Leeds, I believe he played every position bar keeper, trouble was he was too versatile, and it certainly affected his international career.
Although in my younger days with small squads and no subs you had to be more versatile than the modern player, therefore it was far more common.

Actually, therein lies your answer as to why the old fashioned utility player is a rare, if not extinct, breed these days.

Utility players were a necessity in the old days of smaller squads and just the one sub on the bench.

(in fact, I remember when no subs were allowed )

Nowadays they can put seven different types of players on the pitch and change as many as three to meet almost every circumstance.