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Scouse Hibee
20-08-2013, 09:41 AM
I’LL never understand why some observers get so worked up about footballers being “played out of position”.
The topical one which is causing no end of consternation among supporters at the moment is Lewis Stevenson being deployed at right-back by Hibs manager Pat Fenlon whenever Fraser Mullen seems to be finding the going tough.
Right-back is certainly not Stevenson’s strongest position; he is either a left-back or a central midfielder primarily. However, he is one of those players, a bit like former team-mate Ian Murray and ex-Hearts man Eggert Jonsson, who are comfortable in more than one position.
While Tim Clancy, the first-choice right-back, is injured, Mullen is still finding his feet as a first-team regular and Alan Maybury, signed primarily as a coach this season, is some way short of speed and match fitness. With that in mind, surely Stevenson is as good a bet as any to fill in at right-back.
The only other options would be Paul Hanlon or Ryan McGivern, as they both know how to play full-back. Yet they would be hindered by the same handicap as Stevenson in that they are both left-footed, which limits their effectiveness if and when they get forward and want to whip in a cross. Defensively, however, Stevenson knows the position of full-back well, is quick enough to deal with troublesome wingers and can put in a tackle. It’s no different to Steven Whittaker, a right-footed full-back, playing left-back for Scotland in their last two games.
Hibs are in no position to carry five specialised right-backs on their books. Managers need to plug gaps and often have to improvise by trying players in positions that might not instantly spring to mind. Players then have to respond by being adaptable, as Wayne Rooney does when dropping back into midfield. Is it really too much to ask a professional footballer, who ought to have all the fundamentals of the game in place, to operate in a slightly different area of the field when required? Of course not.
There’s also a feeling among Fenlon’s critics that Liam Craig should be playing central midfield because he did well there for St Johnstone last season. He also did well playing wide left for Saints in previous seasons, while he’s been known to fill in at left-back in the past. He is an adaptable footballer and, with Hibs missing wide players Alex Harris and Paul Cairney through injury, Craig is as good an option as any to fill the void on the flank. Would these Hibs fans rather see Kevin Thomson or McGivern deployed in left midfield?
Critics used to moan at the former Hearts manager, John McGlynn, for playing Callum Paterson in attack. He’s never a striker, they cried, despite the fact Paterson, another admirably versatile player, had played in attack, among other positions, for the youth team. With John Sutton struggling for form, Paterson’s speed, strength and mobility made him one of the next-best options to be tried up front. He was very much a rough diamond last season and, by his own admission, was still learning the position, but he scored a few good goals and got himself in some good scoring positions. Early indications this term are that Paterson just might have a long-term future as a striker after all.
McGlynn had to deal with similar cat-calls when he experimented with Ryan McGowan as an attacking central midfielder in an effort to fill a glaring void in his squad. Given McGowan was primarily a central midfielder as a youngster and arguably the most energetic and athletic player in the team, was it really such a ridiculous idea to try the Aussie there? Despite the perception that it didn’t work, we’ll never truly know because the manager came under heavy pressure to shelve it after just three competitive games.
One of McGlynn’s predecessors, Csaba Laszlo, was initially subjected to scorn when he moved Christos Karipidis from centre-back to central midfield. “Why are you playing a defender in midfield?” they moaned. By the time the Greek left Scotland, he had become one of the most accomplished anchormen in the country. Gary Locke, the Hearts manager, is currently using Dylan McGowan, a specialised centre-back, at right-back, which isn’t even his second-favourite position. It doesn’t seem to be 
doing Hearts too much harm at present, though.
Paul Paton, the Dundee United holding midfielder, used to operate at right-back for Queen’s Park and Partick Thistle. Likewise, Darren Barr, who was also tried out at right-back in the past, is back playing central defence at Kilmarnock after a successful couple of years as a midfielder at Hearts. Jon Daly, the Rangers striker, was regularly used as a centre-half in his Tannadice days. Go through every team in world football and you’ll find players accustomed to operating in more than one position.
It’s high time we stopped pigeon-holing footballers in one particular berth and trashed the wearisome phrase, “played out of position”.

Unseen work
20-08-2013, 09:50 AM
I agree with the majority of that tbh, every team at some stage in the season have to shuffle there team around a bit due to injuries etc and for us Stevenson is a good player to fill the void as he showed on Saturday. People saying play Forster there are bein hypocritical as he is naturally a centre back and hasn't played a first team game there. Stevenson knows the full back position well after playing in the spl for about 6 years now.

Out of curiosity what is Callum pattersons natural position?

truehibernian
20-08-2013, 09:54 AM
Fair points SH, but the term 'played out of position' is not obsolete and is very much a phrase that's relevant.

You have to remember, these lads have played juvenile, youth and senior football and been coached according to what's seen collectively as their best position - positions that coaching is geared towards perfecting and honing properly.

Suddenly asking a left sided midfielder to play right back is sheer madness - as Mixu said recently, defending is an art - there are so many aspects to it and its no surprise we are losing games, conceding readily, because of defensive changes and playing players not used to the role. Same applies to midfield. Robertson and Craig looked more dynamic and threatening centrally - it's where Robbo scored from. Yet he's been asked to fill right midfield which means having to help and cover a full back area too (when oppositions attack down the flank).

It's too easy to say players should be able to quickly adapt. It's coaching methods that need changed if we're to see truly versatile players. It's why I got so frustrated with Yogi putting DW at right back. The lad went downhill fast after a promising start - because he hasn't perfected the art of defending as a full back - quite simply cos he isn't one ! Neither is Lewis a right back - he's a defensive holding midfielder at best, tenacious sub to have in the squad.

Scouse Hibee
20-08-2013, 09:57 AM
]Fair points SH[/B], but the term 'played out of position' is not obsolete and is very much a phrase that's relevant.

You have to remember, these lads have played juvenile, youth and senior football and been coached according to what's seen collectively as their best position - positions that coaching is geared towards perfecting and honing properly.

Suddenly asking a left sided midfielder to play right back is sheer madness - as Mixu said recently, defending is an art - there are so many aspects to it and its no surprise we are losing games, conceding readily, because of defensive changes and playing players not used to the role. Same applies to midfield. Robertson and Craig looked more dynamic and threatening centrally - it's where Robbo scored from. Yet he's been asked to fill right midfield which means having to help and cover a full back area too (when oppositions attack down the flank).

It's too easy to say players should be able to quickly adapt. It's coaching methods that need changed if we're to see truly versatile players. It's why I got so frustrated with Yogi putting DW at right back. The lad went downhill fast after a promising start - because he hasn't perfected the art of defending as a full back - quite simply cos he isn't one ! Neither is Lewis a right back - he's a defensive holding midfielder at best, tenacious sub to have in the squad.

Not my points mate just an interesting article I found in the EEN

TowerHibs
20-08-2013, 10:01 AM
I agree Scouse but what i would say to all that is if a team know collectively what the aims are of each other and where each other should be on the park, then there is no problem with that.

John Collins used to have David Murphy centre mid, Bouzy at sweeper, Fletcher on the wing and in midfield but i bet you the team were coached far better than the Hibs team currently are. I see a team right now that when on the ball have one option.....long ball. Every man should have 3 options while on the ball, if that was the case they could put me in at right back and i would do not too bad

pacorosssco
20-08-2013, 10:03 AM
The term is total football. All players being able to cover in team mates position at interchanges in play.

truehibernian
20-08-2013, 10:07 AM
I agree Scouse but what i would say to all that is if a team know collectively what the aims are of each other and where each other should be on the park, then there is no problem with that.

John Collins used to have David Murphy centre mid, Bouzy at sweeper, Fletcher on the wing and in midfield but i bet you the team were coached far better than the Hibs team currently are. I see a team right now that when on the ball have one option.....long ball. Every man should have 3 options while on the ball, if that was the case they could put me in at right back and i would do not too bad

I used to watch JC's sessions mate and you are correct - they were also high tempo and not short of aggression. That said you've highlighted 3 of the most technically gifted players of recent years. Players like Mullen, Clancy and Lewis couldn't lace those 3's boots - not to say Lewis isn't a nice player to watch at times, he's often a very tidy efficient player on the ball when confident - the one string to his bow, he never hides or shirks in a game. I like that about him.

Scouse Hibee
20-08-2013, 10:30 AM
I used to watch JC's sessions mate and you are correct - they were also high tempo and not short of aggression. That said you've highlighted 3 of the most technically gifted players of recent years. Players like Mullen, Clancy and Lewis couldn't lace those 3's boots - not to say Lewis isn't a nice player to watch at times, he's often a very tidy efficient player on the ball when confident - the one string to his bow, he never hides or shirks in a game. I like that about him.

Unfortunately Lewis has probably been a victim of his own success in some ways as the utility player in the squad.

The Sea-gull
20-08-2013, 11:10 AM
The term players being played out of position is perhaps a bit out of date but you can over do it with utility players. For me, Stevenson is not a right back, he is a left or central defensive midfielder or a left back. There are three positions he can perform reasonably well but that it is it. extending it to a fourth (right back) is just pushing it.

I fell for utility players as they can become victims of their own versatility. Look at Ian Murray. By the time he left Hibs I had no idea if he was a left back, a centre half or a defensive midfielder as he had become just ok at all of them but not particularly good at any. Injury ruined his career when he was young though as after being shunted about either flank as a wing back and midfield for his first three years he had just established himself as a good box to box midfielder before he got a bad injury and never played that role again.

I think there are some players who are versatile and don't have a specific position where as others are very definite out and out one position players. There are room for both in a squad but you can't have a squad full of "jack of all trades master of none types", you still need the majority of players to be specialists in a certain position. Perhaps in a squad you maybe need three goalies, three full backs, three centre halves, two wide mids/wingers, two attacking mids, two defensive mids, three centre fowards with about another five players who can play a couple of positions each to plug the gaps.

Where we defintely lack balance as a squad just now is in midfield. I would say Scott Robertson is one attacking midfielder but couldn't really tell you who the other is. Taiwo maybe but he has been used more defensively though don't know if that is more to do with Fenlon's style than his own. On the evidence thus farI would desribe Thomson, Taiwo and OTJ as defensive midfielders; one too many for me and that's why I think the signing of OTJ was a waste. We also clearly lack out and out width as Harris is one and maybe Stanton the other but not sure he is ready. Feel Cairney and Craig are the two who are the most versatile in an attacking sense as they can play central or wide.

If money is to be spent in the next two weeks then I would hope it is on a wide player and an attacking/creative midfielder. Even if it means having to try and move Taiwo or OTJ go to fund it. I know it sounds crazy as I like Taiwo and OTJ has only just signed but don't really believe we need them both. Unless we give Taiwo a try as an attacking midfielder and save ourselves a bit of cash.

silverhibee
20-08-2013, 12:52 PM
I’LL never understand why some observers get so worked up about footballers being “played out of position”.
The topical one which is causing no end of consternation among supporters at the moment is Lewis Stevenson being deployed at right-back by Hibs manager Pat Fenlon whenever Fraser Mullen seems to be finding the going tough.
Right-back is certainly not Stevenson’s strongest position; he is either a left-back or a central midfielder primarily. However, he is one of those players, a bit like former team-mate Ian Murray and ex-Hearts man Eggert Jonsson, who are comfortable in more than one position.
While Tim Clancy, the first-choice right-back, is injured, Mullen is still finding his feet as a first-team regular and Alan Maybury, signed primarily as a coach this season, is some way short of speed and match fitness. With that in mind, surely Stevenson is as good a bet as any to fill in at right-back.
The only other options would be Paul Hanlon or Ryan McGivern, as they both know how to play full-back. Yet they would be hindered by the same handicap as Stevenson in that they are both left-footed, which limits their effectiveness if and when they get forward and want to whip in a cross. Defensively, however, Stevenson knows the position of full-back well, is quick enough to deal with troublesome wingers and can put in a tackle. It’s no different to Steven Whittaker, a right-footed full-back, playing left-back for Scotland in their last two games.
Hibs are in no position to carry five specialised right-backs on their books. Managers need to plug gaps and often have to improvise by trying players in positions that might not instantly spring to mind. Players then have to respond by being adaptable, as Wayne Rooney does when dropping back into midfield. Is it really too much to ask a professional footballer, who ought to have all the fundamentals of the game in place, to operate in a slightly different area of the field when required? Of course not.
There’s also a feeling among Fenlon’s critics that Liam Craig should be playing central midfield because he did well there for St Johnstone last season. He also did well playing wide left for Saints in previous seasons, while he’s been known to fill in at left-back in the past. He is an adaptable footballer and, with Hibs missing wide players Alex Harris and Paul Cairney through injury, Craig is as good an option as any to fill the void on the flank. Would these Hibs fans rather see Kevin Thomson or McGivern deployed in left midfield?
Critics used to moan at the former Hearts manager, John McGlynn, for playing Callum Paterson in attack. He’s never a striker, they cried, despite the fact Paterson, another admirably versatile player, had played in attack, among other positions, for the youth team. With John Sutton struggling for form, Paterson’s speed, strength and mobility made him one of the next-best options to be tried up front. He was very much a rough diamond last season and, by his own admission, was still learning the position, but he scored a few good goals and got himself in some good scoring positions. Early indications this term are that Paterson just might have a long-term future as a striker after all.
McGlynn had to deal with similar cat-calls when he experimented with Ryan McGowan as an attacking central midfielder in an effort to fill a glaring void in his squad. Given McGowan was primarily a central midfielder as a youngster and arguably the most energetic and athletic player in the team, was it really such a ridiculous idea to try the Aussie there? Despite the perception that it didn’t work, we’ll never truly know because the manager came under heavy pressure to shelve it after just three competitive games.
One of McGlynn’s predecessors, Csaba Laszlo, was initially subjected to scorn when he moved Christos Karipidis from centre-back to central midfield. “Why are you playing a defender in midfield?” they moaned. By the time the Greek left Scotland, he had become one of the most accomplished anchormen in the country. Gary Locke, the Hearts manager, is currently using Dylan McGowan, a specialised centre-back, at right-back, which isn’t even his second-favourite position. It doesn’t seem to be 
doing Hearts too much harm at present, though.
Paul Paton, the Dundee United holding midfielder, used to operate at right-back for Queen’s Park and Partick Thistle. Likewise, Darren Barr, who was also tried out at right-back in the past, is back playing central defence at Kilmarnock after a successful couple of years as a midfielder at Hearts. Jon Daly, the Rangers striker, was regularly used as a centre-half in his Tannadice days. Go through every team in world football and you’ll find players accustomed to operating in more than one position.
It’s high time we stopped pigeon-holing footballers in one particular berth and trashed the wearisome phrase, “played out of position”.

The modern day footballers should be comfortable using both feet, it would certainly help players when they are played out of position.

Sometimes i do believe managers will play players in other positions to get more out of them, Riordan was one that this happened too, he was brought up to score goals it was pretty clear that he was good at this at a young age, i remember reading that in one season as a youth player he scored over 100 goals for his boys club at the time, when he joined Hibs he was encouraged to just do what he was good at and that was put the ball in the back of the net, him and big Gaz were just awesome as a front two, both were playing for the under 21s at about 18 and were ripping defences to pieces in 21s games.

Think Mowbray was the first manager to try Riordan out on the left because he thought scoring goals wasn't enough and by playing him out there he would do more for the team, think this was after the game down in Ayr where Mowbray had a rant that that he wanted Deek to do more in the game than just score goals after he got a double in the game, imo i think Mowbray was deflecting attention away from the poor performance of signings like Sproule Morrow and Shiels that night as i was at the game and thought Deek had done okay in the game, found this link about that game, http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+ABOOT+IN+THE+RIOR%3B+Ayr+United+1+Hibe rnian+2+Hibs+boss+gives...-a0136490464, in a way Mowbray was right as when he played Deek out wide Deek started to add assists to his game, but the position he was being asked to play was an attacking forward player on the left and he seemed comfortable playing that position.

When he moved to celtc, Strachan after saying Deek could play in any forward position decided to play him (when he did play him) as a left midfielder, now he was being asked to play in a position that was alien to him, tracking back, defending set pieces, it was all new to him and he felt for the first time that he was uncomfortable playing as a LM, so rather than being able to get forward and score goals he was now playing safe football, sit back and track the runner, easy passing, making sure he was there to help the left back rather than getting forward to help out strikers, i still think he took things on board under Strachan but he wasn't going to come a LM over night, it was a position he wasn't used to playing and celtc fans were starting to get on his back for not getting forward all the time, folk said he was being lazy, i think he was playing safe as he didn't want to make mistakes that may cost a goal, you then start to lose a bit confidence and the mistakes happen as you are being played out of your normal position that you have grown up playing.

And yet when he came back to Hibs for his second spell he played a full season under Yogi as a LM and was outstanding that season that earned him a call up to the national team, that is why i said he was taking things on board under Strachan, so going from a striker who scored goals for fun to a attacking forward wide player to a left midfielder.

Yes players should be able to play in different positions but if they are not comfortable with it they start to become a safe player, ie rather than going forward they will play the ball back the way, keep possession, so that they are not making mistakes because when that happens the confidence starts to go, and what you get is what we are seeing at Hibs, the balance isn't right through the team and it will be worse the more players you play out of position.

Phew. :aok: :greengrin

Fergus52
20-08-2013, 01:03 PM
Fair points SH, but the term 'played out of position' is not obsolete and is very much a phrase that's relevant.

You have to remember, these lads have played juvenile, youth and senior football and been coached according to what's seen collectively as their best position - positions that coaching is geared towards perfecting and honing properly.

Suddenly asking a left sided midfielder to play right back is sheer madness - as Mixu said recently, defending is an art - there are so many aspects to it and its no surprise we are losing games, conceding readily, because of defensive changes and playing players not used to the role. Same applies to midfield. Robertson and Craig looked more dynamic and threatening centrally - it's where Robbo scored from. Yet he's been asked to fill right midfield which means having to help and cover a full back area too (when oppositions attack down the flank).

It's too easy to say players should be able to quickly adapt. It's coaching methods that need changed if we're to see truly versatile players. It's why I got so frustrated with Yogi putting DW at right back. The lad went downhill fast after a promising start - because he hasn't perfected the art of defending as a full back - quite simply cos he isn't one ! Neither is Lewis a right back - he's a defensive holding midfielder at best, tenacious sub to have in the squad.

When did Stevenson last play there?

All of last season he was used as a left-back and was more than adequate back-up to McGivern.

Playing a left footed full-back to play right back when we are short of cover is perfectly fine.

LeithBoozy
20-08-2013, 01:32 PM
It is a good point about modern team players should be able to play several positions, but the fact remains a lot of them cant when taken out of their comfort zone. I am one of the old school who believes that a replacement is promoted from the reserves. No loan players, or shuffling the pack, one of our own in his natural position.

HFC 0-7
20-08-2013, 01:37 PM
Can every player cover every position? Yes, but can they do it well. Players out of position is ok as long as you are not weakening the position they are moving to or the one they have come from.

SeanWilson
20-08-2013, 01:57 PM
You have to remember, these lads have played juvenile, youth and senior football and been coached according to what's seen collectively as their best position - positions that coaching is geared towards perfecting and honing properly.

Of topic, however everything that is wrong with Scottish football IMO.

Your a hard tall lad - your a centre half. Your left footed and you can run fast - left wing. In most other countries in Europe (Holland for example)... early teens before people start 'coaching' you in to your natural role after years of just playing 7 a side natural football.

truehibernian
20-08-2013, 02:09 PM
When did Stevenson last play there?

All of last season he was used as a left-back and was more than adequate back-up to McGivern.

Playing a left footed full-back to play right back when we are short of cover is perfectly fine.

Where has Lewis played throughout his whole career, including youth football ? Was it full back ?

The problem is that Lewis has been asked to play right back, left back, midfield, left midfield, jeez even up top in a 2-1 win v Motherwell when Trakys played and went off injured IIRC. He even had a chance to score when he came on.

If you think having Lewis play as a right back is 'perfectly fine' fair enough - I think he's a far far better player in his natural, whole career position - a midfielder.

pacorosssco
20-08-2013, 02:14 PM
Of topic, however everything that is wrong with Scottish football IMO.

Your a hard tall lad - your a centre half. Your left footed and you can run fast - left wing. In most other countries in Europe (Holland for example)... early teens before people start 'coaching' you in to your natural role after years of just playing 7 a side natural football.

Its not just that here in Holland. The facilites are first class and there is a thriving amateur set up too. Most local set ups and they are everywhere have two pitches. One all weather one for the summer and a training pitch. Profits from bar in club pays for part time coaching at all age groups.

truehibernian
20-08-2013, 02:16 PM
Of topic, however everything that is wrong with Scottish football IMO.

Your a hard tall lad - your a centre half. Your left footed and you can run fast - left wing. In most other countries in Europe (Holland for example)... early teens before people start 'coaching' you in to your natural role after years of just playing 7 a side natural football.

Absolutely bang on - I've posted in the past that when my juvenile side played abroad we were shown coaching at Koblenz and in Holland. We beat similar age groups at football through braun and power as we were bigger. Technically they were more gifted but methodical. That was aged 13 and 14. What was more marked was the attitude of the coaches on the sidelines - winning wasn't the be all and end all. They encouraged football even back then. Our coaches wanted blood, snotters and goals. Totally different approaches. But as bodies grow and develop, their technical skills/natural skills probably never left them and their bodies grew around that. In Scotland we never did the technical stuff - it was sprints,runs, press ups, medicine ball and the nearest to technical training was taking penalties and dribbling around cones which were in a straight line.

Thankfully the academies are superb but we are years behind still.

Chump
20-08-2013, 02:26 PM
Ajax springs to mind.....they used to shuffle their players around the team as they were developing youngsters....not because they didn't know their best positions but because they were developing their wider knowledge of the game, other positions and also to help them be comfortable with both feet.

It is criminal that footballers cannot do basics with each foot like having a first touch and pick a pass - we're not asking them to score a zidane volley with your weaker foot after all just control and pass.

And being on the opposite side of the pitch doesn't affect the way your brain works by the way so stop playing like it.....

SeanWilson
20-08-2013, 02:44 PM
Its not just that here in Holland. The facilites are first class and there is a thriving amateur set up too. Most local set ups and they are everywhere have two pitches. One all weather one for the summer and a training pitch. Profits from bar in club pays for part time coaching at all age groups.

:agree:

SeanWilson
20-08-2013, 02:50 PM
Absolutely bang on - I've posted in the past that when my juvenile side played abroad we were shown coaching at Koblenz and in Holland. We beat similar age groups at football through braun and power as we were bigger. Technically they were more gifted but methodical. That was aged 13 and 14. What was more marked was the attitude of the coaches on the sidelines - winning wasn't the be all and end all. They encouraged football even back then. Our coaches wanted blood, snotters and goals. Totally different approaches. But as bodies grow and develop, their technical skills/natural skills probably never left them and their bodies grew around that. In Scotland we never did the technical stuff - it was sprints,runs, press ups, medicine ball and the nearest to technical training was taking penalties and dribbling around cones which were in a straight line.

Thankfully the academies are superb but we are years behind still.

i am aware more from the playing than coaching side (having been told i was a 'left winger' at the age of 6 WTF!?), however you are bang on the money... the hardcase coach on the sideline giving you the do anything to win approach, then going across to play tournaments in the Netherlands and just watching lads playing total football... different class.

ancient hibee
20-08-2013, 05:43 PM
It's interesting that Lewis is improving on the right.He certainly put a stop to probably the most dangerous left winger in Scotland running riot on Saturday.


I think that what happened to Riordan showed what is wrong with Scottish football.Managers don't understand goal scorers because there are so few players that are outstanding at it.I've seen all our top players since the tail end of the famous five and I would say that Riordan was the most complete goal scorer(apart from in the air)that we've ever had.He could score from anywhere with either foot-rocketing free kicks or 20 yard side foots.He should never have been played more than 30 yards from the opponents goal and should have always been on the last defender.The failure to use him properly has been a disaster for us and for Scottish football.

Swedish hibee
20-08-2013, 09:06 PM
I think that what happened to Riordan showed what is wrong with Scottish football.Managers don't understand goal scorers because there are so few players that are outstanding at it.I've seen all our top players since the tail end of the famous five and I would say that Riordan was the most complete goal scorer(apart from in the air)that we've ever had.He could score from anywhere with either foot-rocketing free kicks or 20 yard side foots.He should never have been played more than 30 yards from the opponents goal and should have always been on the last defender.The failure to use him properly has been a disaster for us and for Scottish football.[/QUOTE]

:agree:

monktonharp
20-08-2013, 10:54 PM
Can every player cover every position? Yes, but can they do it well. Players out of position is ok as long as you are not weakening the position they are moving to or the one they have come from.I would never play Lewis in goals. not got the height, FACT.

Fergus52
21-08-2013, 01:17 AM
Where has Lewis played throughout his whole career, including youth football ? Was it full back ?

The problem is that Lewis has been asked to play right back, left back, midfield, left midfield, jeez even up top in a 2-1 win v Motherwell when Trakys played and went off injured IIRC. He even had a chance to score when he came on.

If you think having Lewis play as a right back is 'perfectly fine' fair enough - I think he's a far far better player in his natural, whole career position - a midfielder.

Since breaking into our first team he's played fullback almost as much as he's played midfield.

also seasons where he has been primarily used as a midfielder he usually played in the centre, not out wide.

IMO he is better used as a fullback when he offers very little offensively in midfield and we have other players who can do a defensive job there better than him.

HFC 0-7
21-08-2013, 09:49 AM
I would never play Lewis in goals. not got the height, FACT.

Lewis basher! :na na:

BonnieFitbaTeam
21-08-2013, 12:29 PM
Absolutely bang on - I've posted in the past that when my juvenile side played abroad we were shown coaching at Koblenz and in Holland. We beat similar age groups at football through braun and power as we were bigger. Technically they were more gifted but methodical. That was aged 13 and 14. What was more marked was the attitude of the coaches on the sidelines - winning wasn't the be all and end all. They encouraged football even back then. Our coaches wanted blood, snotters and goals. Totally different approaches. But as bodies grow and develop, their technical skills/natural skills probably never left them and their bodies grew around that. In Scotland we never did the technical stuff - it was sprints,runs, press ups, medicine ball and the nearest to technical training was taking penalties and dribbling around cones which were in a straight line.

Thankfully the academies are superb but we are years behind still.


My brother-in-law coaches juveniles down in Ayrshire. He's had the same boys through a number of age groups and they're currently 16s. He's always had them play football the proper way but is regularly told by other coaches, including professional youth coaches I might add, "Your team are an absolute joy to watch.......but you'll win ****-all playing like that !"

Also, he has a mate who went off to the States to do a full time coaching course. Came back home raring to go and got a job with an SPL club. They had a group of eight year old boys and the first thing the club did was put them through sports science and bio-med tests. Those that were predicted to be 'too wee' were binned on the spot. They weren't told that was the reason but it was. His mate told the club to shove the job up their arse !

We really are a long, long way behind.