Are wingers old hat?

Take Liverpool as an example. They played the Charity Shield with Murphy and Barmby (I think), on the wings. I suppose this makes them more flexible. A kind on 'total football' approach where players can switch positions constantly during a game. There's no way that Murphy and Barmby can be classed as wingers. They have Smicer and Berger who are not traditional wingers either. So why do Newcastle and us fans feel the need to have traditional wingers (Solano, Robert)? Is this tactic outdated? Does it make us too predicable?

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Answers

Maybe Kenny had the right idead with 10 defenders and one midfielder up front...

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Nick the problem with the old hat approach for Newcastle is pretty easily cancelled . How many times have we all seen Newacstle ( even in KK's day ) have all the possession but have no penetration at the 18 yard line .. thus giving the ball away to the opposition when we are camped in their half for the buggers to score up the other end . Time and time and time again under King Kev , Dogleash and Spiders Heed that happened and it frustrated the hell out of those at the match . Solano and Robert whipping the ball in for Al , CC , Shola or Bellers will be much more productive than piercing balls down the centre for our lumbering forwards and non finisher LKD to latch onto . Listen if Quinn and Phillips keep putting them away there is a LOT to be said for wingers . I finally rest my case with Messrs Gillespie and Asprilla the true art form of winger and striker in harmony .

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Aye lad, and how ofter did Tino and Gilly play a blinder together? I only recall Barca.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

It's true that many teams in EPL are tactically slowly switching into a some kind of 'total football'. Playing patient and organized defenceline and at least potentially defensive midfield without wingers. Liverpool is the most striking example. Those buggers play boring football for the most part of the game. Controlling the midfield, playing pass to feet, swapping positions and occasionally trying through balls and good runs... Basicly for the most parts they just wait for the goals and enjoy emselves.

I think Bobby have tried that kind of footie too. Though he's been forced to do it too (cos the injuries). What I've been watching for the last few years (that is sadly: on the telly) is some kind of poor variation of that 'modern football'. No wingers, trying to control the game (eh?). We have been waiting for the goals but instead of enjoying we've been fearing the worst and struggling.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

It's the inexorable drift towards total football. Some complained Ginola didn't tackle back, others complain about Barton's lack of penetration, when did Lee last get in the box. In the future all footballers will be able to do everything and the formation will be so interchangable that with one click of the fingers from the coach the player out on the left wing in a 4-4-2 will suddenly appear at sweeper in a 1-3-4-2 completley throwing the man to man marker and winning the game for us.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

SO long as we have Al up front we will play with wingers making crosses into the box. In fact, most teams try to do this because with a strong centre forward the defenders are put under pressure. Not necessarily pretty (although Tino gliding through the air vs Barca...poetry) but very effective. If you think about it, corner kicks are considered highly attacking opportunities, and are basically dead ball crosses.

Playing through the defenders is much harder, because it's generally a case of attackers being outnumbered, which only leaves fast breaks of attack...don't happen very often. Given our physical and rushed game the opportunity for poncey tippy toe football are few. A mixture is desirable, but you play to your strengths. Cort puts defenders under pressure, Shearer / Speed score goals with their head.

Here endeth the lesion (Ed. surely lesson?)

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Hate to disagree with a man who runs a half marathon with a fish in his hand Nick, but where did you get the idea Solano and Robert were wingers?

If I remember when I wer a lad, the wingers job was from the half way line to the by line a maximum 10 yards in from the touch line.

Wing backs are supposed to cover the full 110 yards, pivoting on the defensive central midfielder who runs box to box.

Actually Nobby and Lilo Lil, or whatever his name is do not do either.

I suppose you could say we play a Semi Total Football!

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001