When did it become unfashionable for full backs to stop crosses?

[lyonhibs]

I obviously didn't get the memo, because somebody has obviously told the Hibs full backs to not worry about stopping the crosses getting in, which back in the days of woodbines and black and white tellys used to literally be one of their primary functions.

[Hibbyradge]

Celtic have had 5 corners, all because of full backs stopping crosses

[The Harp Awakes]

Cadden not getting close enough to his man. Giving him 20 yards each time. Allows the winger to get a run at him. Shocking defending which is as much a coaching issue as the player himself.

Cadden did this repeatedly v Livi on Saturday as well but got away with it.

[Hiber-nation]

Caddens performance has been absolutely diabolical.

[hibsforeurope]

Fairly sure it was Paul mcginn who started the trend.
It’s killing us

[lyonhibs]

Caddens performance has been absolutely diabolical.

Has he got close to, never mind tackled their 38 all game? Terrible

[Donegal Hibby]

Cadden isn't a right back, he's also had no one helping him with Maeda who's quick and tricky

[lyonhibs]

Cadden isn't a right back, he's also had no one helping him with Maeda who's quick and tricky

He might have tried getting closer to him before he'd got the ball, turned and got a head of steam up mind.

[Mikey_1875]

Celtic done the same at Parkhead where they double up on our fullback and it just leaves us horribly exposed. The same ball cut through us constantly.

It didn’t help the fact that Cadden was awful tonight but we have to be a lot more resilient in these situations.

[Trinity Hibee]

In all aspects of the game now it looks like players are told to worry about covering space rather than getting touch right to their opponent. Whilst I can understand standing off pacey players it is now the norm to stand off everyone.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Australian and Japan internationals tearing a non international apart

Our full backs played very well for the first 20 mins and had their attackers on the back foot. Once celtic got to grips they tore us apart all over the pitch

[Pretty Boy]

There's very little individuality in football now. Most of the top teams play in the same 2 or 3 ways and teams at our level try to ape that with inferior players.

That relates to the question because top teams like their back line to be compact when defending and that requires their full backs to tuck in tight. The UEFA license seminars can be found online explaining this if you have a bit spare time and are really bored. It trusts the full back has the ability to get across quickly and cover the space when the opposition work it wide or to get back out wide as an outball when the ball is regained. Great when you have top players, probably harder to implement when you are doing it with Cadden, Cabraja, Stevenson and Mitchell. The issue arises when you the defender can't do the job properly. That ability to stand a player up 30 yards from goal and force him to go back into the middle is lost. So you end up with what we had last night, an overload of attackers down that side, desperate last ditch blocks that cause corners or free kicks to be given up or a dangerous ball making it's way into the box from the most desirable area.

It's not that there is a lack of will to stop balls getting into the box, it's playing a style we don't have the ability to implement properly. That's not just on the players, teams across the board who aren't elite will struggle to do it effectively. It requires someone to be brave enough to say 'just because Liverpool do it doesn't mean we have to'.

[wookie70]

There's very little individuality in football now. Most of the top teams play in the same 2 or 3 ways and teams at our level try to ape that with inferior players.

That relates to the question because top teams like their back line to be compact when defending and that requires their full backs to tuck in tight. The UEFA license seminars can be found online explaining this if you have a bit spare time and are really bored. It trusts the full back has the ability to get across quickly and cover the space when the opposition work it wide or to get back out wide as an outball when the ball is regained. Great when you have top players, probably harder to implement when you are doing it with Cadden, Cabraja, Stevenson and Mitchell. The issue arises when you the defender can't do the job properly. That ability to stand a player up 30 yards from goal and force him to go back into the middle is lost. So you end up with what we had last night, an overload of attackers down that side, desperate last ditch blocks that cause corners or free kicks to be given up or a dangerous ball making it's way into the box from the most desirable area.

It's not that there is a lack of will to stop balls getting into the box, it's playing a style we don't have the ability to implement properly. That's not just on the players, teams across the board who aren't elite will struggle to do it effectively. It requires someone to be brave enough to say 'just because Liverpool do it doesn't mean we have to'.

That is what was happening last night for sure. When I played the full back on the back post would tuck in but now it appears they both do regardless of where the ball is. What was most scary was Cadden was getting destroyed with balls inside as well as not being able to deal with crosses. Stevenson faired a bit better but that was more to do with Celtc playing our right as it is such an obvious weakness. We just don't put enough or any pressure on the ball so Celtc could play their passes very easily. I sometimes wonder if a team broke with fashion and went back the way to mark posts and men if they would be more successful. The other thing that would help is playing to players strengths. Magennis looks a bit lost on the right, Porteous all over the place in midfield, Cadden not comfortable so far back and Nisbet not as good when so isolated. LJ needs are think and players that are square pegs in square holes. Last night I would also add that we never worked nearly hard enough. I think that was more to do with not having a clue what shadow to chase but we really never laid a glove on them after the first 15 minutes