Interview with Phil Airey

[Hibeescott]

Found this on the Newcastle website and thought it might interest some. He has indeed played at right back recently and he talks about going out on loan.

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110805/airey-glad-to-get-off-the-mark_2281670_2411728

[Andy74]

Why would they play a highly rated striker at right back?

[Hibeescott]

Why would they play a highly rated striker at right back?

It does seem strange. I can understand playing a young striker who maybe lacks strength on the wing, but not right back.

[wazoo1875]

Why would they play a highly rated striker at right back? God knows Andy, MON did it with Agathe at Celtic too iirc.

[greenlex]

Why would they play a highly rated striker at right back?
To give him an appreciation of another position. Collins tried it with a young right back called Kevin McCann against Aberdeen where he played him at centre back and it spectacularly backfired. :agree:

[MB62]

To give him an appreciation of another position. Collins tried it with a young right back (who's name escapes me for the moment) against Aberdeen where he played him at centre back and it spectacularly backfired. :agree:

Alex Miller did this with John Collins at ER, then smellic did the same thing to him at Darkheid and their manager was given great credit for it.

[Hibeescott]

To give him an appreciation of another position. Collins tried it with a young right back called Kevin McCann against Aberdeen where he played him at centre back and it spectacularly backfired. :agree:

I see what your saying, but RB to CB is very different to ST to RB

[JimBHibees]

To give him an appreciation of another position. Collins tried it with a young right back (who's name escapes me for the moment) against Aberdeen where he played him at centre back and it spectacularly backfired. :agree:

Can also remember Collins also played a few games at left back to improve his defending however it is unusual I would have thought for a striker to be playing full back.

[aberhibsfc]

Strikers to CB happens,

Christian Daly started his career as a decent striker at Dundee Utd before moving to central defence a short time later.

John Hughes also started his career as a striker before moving to CB.

There have been a number a number of big centre forwards or central defenders that switch into these positions game by game or even in game dependent on tempo / emphasis / scoreline e.g. the maroon turds with McFarlane.

[HFC 0-7]

I think Chris Sutton played CB a few times for Celtic when subs had been used or problems with injuries.

[Bayern Bru]

Mixu once played LWB for us at Rugby Park.
Kevin McKenna was often pushed up front in games despite being a CB. Same with Kevin James.

Dirk Lehmann anyone? Seem to remember him playing in defence for a few games...

And of course, David Stephens played up front for a half last season.

[Sean1875]

Im sure Rob Jones started out life as a striker aswell :agree:

[Stevie Reid]

I think Chris Sutton played CB a few times for Celtic when subs had been used or problems with injuries.

Chris Sutton was a centre half before being tried up front by his manager at Norwich - he was a revelation and then got his move to Blackburn where he had his phenomenal partnership with Shearer. Celtic utilised him at centre back when necessary, even centre midfield sometimes, and he was excellent in each role.

Gordon Rae was a centre forward and a centre half for us. Kano was a centre forward, centre midfielder and an excellent RB for us.

[aberhibsfc]

Mixu once played LWB for us at Rugby Park.
Kevin McKenna was often pushed up front in games despite being a CB. Same with Kevin James.

Dirk Lehmann anyone? Seem to remember him playing in defence for a few games...

And of course, David Stephens played up front for a half last season.

That's the bugger, I always get them mixed up, but not being a jamboidite, whae cares.

Think the thing with FB's is that although technically they should be specialist roles as with every other position on the park. Managers struggling to get fit/experienced players on the park would consider playing someone at FB who wouldn't normally play there a lot less risky than slapping them in a central defensive role. Managers would deem it a risk but one which could in effect not prove as detrimental as the person not technically suited to that position exert the skills they have at their disposal and maintain focus of their defensive gameplay.

Ideally though, you really want tested and successful players in the FB positions, at the end of the day you want them to come forward and support play and be able to read the game well enough to work their way back to plug the wings and prevent crosses. When you are up against wingers, having an inexperience full back is probably more dangerous than an inexperienced CB, as the crosses will just pour in.

As a former stirker, I used to have the shocking ideal of a defender, I just thought there job was to make a nuisance of themselves and their lack of technique was negated by their ability to be big and just get in your way. I played sweeper once when coming back from an injury, tell you what, it can be quite disconcerting in that position when you have people coming through either side of the defence, which way to go? It's the little things, as a striker, your always lookinig to make yourself available with others behind you at eg throw ins, obviously defenders would love that too, but they play the odds, they tend to creep up behind you so if you do get the ball they are between you and the goal and in a lot of cases sweep you off your feet. Played correctly, defenders play a massive part in a teams success. Just look at how our golden generation were hampered by Zibi and Brown, we spent too much time protecting our goals or trying to get goals back. They may not generate the millions that strikers attain the transfer market, but good ones shouldn't be underestimate and worth every penny. Why did I just go on so much.

[James70]

The late Bobby Smith had extended spells at full back and striker for us.

[Hibby70]

Kano was a centre forward, centre midfielder and an excellent RB for us. Dont forget goalie!

[Billy Whizz]

Mixu once played LWB for us at Rugby Park.
Kevin McKenna was often pushed up front in games despite being a CB. Same with Kevin James.

Dirk Lehmann anyone? Seem to remember him playing in defence for a few games...

And of course, David Stephens played up front for a half last season.

I can remember the game that Mixu played LWB. It was a Scottish 1/4 final against Killie at Rugby Park. Suazee went off injured and we had to shuffle around. Mcmanus scored in the 90th min to put us through to semi's against Livi

[blackpoolhibs]

I can remember the game that Mixu played LWB. It was a Scottish 1/4 final against Killie at Rugby Park. Suazee went off injured and we had to shuffle around. Mcmanus scored in the 90th min to put us through to semi's against Livi

:agree: When the goal went in that stand behind the goal went wild. That concrete stand was moving more than any wooden one i have ever been in. One of the best celebrations i have been in. :thumbsup:

[Craig_in_Prague]

:agree: When the goal went in that stand behind the goal went wild. That concrete stand was moving more than any wooden one i have ever been in. One of the best celebrations i have been in. :thumbsup:

Was there, fond memories of it too :thumbsup:

[Jonnyboy]

The late Bobby Smith had extended spells at full back and striker for us.

:agree:

Arthur Duncan - left wing to left back

Colin Stein signed for Hibs as a full back

Bobby Duncan signed for Hibs as a forward

[Zazu62]

6 month loan deal according to the sun today

[Hibbyradge]

Joe Tortolano.

Everywhere to everywhere. :wink:

[Stevie Reid]

Dont forget goalie!

Of course!


:agree: When the goal went in that stand behind the goal went wild. That concrete stand was moving more than any wooden one i have ever been in. One of the best celebrations i have been in. :thumbsup:

Was superb. I remember being happy when we won the free kick because we were pretty much guaranteed at least a draw and replay at ER due to how late in the game it was. TM's header was a peach as well.

Seems a long, long time since someone scored to take us into a semi final - we had a great run over a few years as well.

[CMac1988]

6 month loan deal according to the sun today

Just go the usual message from the evening news saying we've got him.