Utility players

[sotnas]

I think that players don't want to play the role of the utility man.

When you play in a number of positions you don't get to be really good in any of them. And manageres never think of you as the one for a particular spot. So you'll end up being benched and thought to fill any hole that opens up.

 

[Khalekan]

Kevin Richardson is another whom deserves a mention.

He played central midfield, wide on both flanks and at full back when required.

 

[Sol]

Alan Harper was a really good utility player back in the 1980s glory days. Didn't score many but the were always important. Recall him playing sweeper for Man City in Howard Kendall first game managing them. Was actually against Everton. Shows how good that Everton team was that a fine player like Kevin Richardson was allowed leave. Recall him playing for Aston Villa when the were in with a great chance of winning a title. Could have had the opportunity of winning three titles with three different clubs. Think United piped Villa to the title.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Generally a term used to describe a player who is utter gash and can't hold down any one position.

 

[Moomin]

Norman Whiteside could play all over the park.

 

[LEONARD]

Geoff Nulty, he could play in a variety of positions.

The problem being, he was never better than 'really average' in all of them.

 

[roy vernon]

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

Good shout Sandy, played all over the park for us including replacing an injured Gordon West in goal in the days before substitute goalies (I think it was Westy but it may have been Andy Rankin).

 

[Ihaters]

Most only seem to have one or two positions and they tend be roughly the same position anyway, like Barkley with his ability play in different positions... as long as its central midfield.

Biggest contrast for a while is probably Fellaini as defensive mid, second and main striker roles.

 

[anjelikaferrett]

...Kevin Richardson was a fine player. If I remember rightly he covered for Sheedy in the 1984 FA Cup Final. I think he might also have won a title with Arsenal.

Was going to mention him. Unsung hero of that era, I always thought.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Alan Harper was my favourite. I think they are less necessary due to the number of subs. When you could only name 1 sub, they had to be able to play in a number of positions. These days,with 7 subs, it's not so vital.

Probably the match management is more technical now as well? Smaller tweaks in formation and strategy, along with more subs and a deeper bench allow both for direct substitutions and for more demanding roles?

 

[Librarian]

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

Graham Stuart was a bit like this

 

[dave abrahams]

Harper was a good footballer, vastly underrated by many !!

Very true, along with Kevin Richardson.

 

[Efctrueblue]

He even played up front which showed how clueless we were at that time.

Remember Watson scoring a hat-trick against Leeds once think we won 4-0!?

 

[AndyGray]

Gary Mabbutt from Spurs played a lot of different positions as well

 

[davids]

Remember Watson scoring a hat-trick against Leeds once think we won 4-0!?

Leeds though