Roddy B wrote:
Who was the last 'good' English player that was versatile? Probably Owen Hargreaves, but he isn't English, he's German trained. The reason I ask this is because our biggest weakness has always been our inability to adapt. The Spanish are a good example of how versatility can benefit a side, another good example are the Germans. Do people remember Schweinsteiger being a winger? Now he's one of the most complete midfielders in the world. Lahm has played either flank comfortably. Ozil can play left, right or down the middle, as can Muller. You'll see players like Marin and Reus this summer, whilst everybody knows international footballers greatest winger - Podolski - who's always been a striker, hasn't he?
In England, we seem to accept the bile that idiots like Jamie Redknapp come up with. All Redknapp ever said about Gerrard was 'first name on my team sheet, in the middle, bossing the midfield'. Even when Benitez played him centrally and gained his greatest form, Redknapp would still have had him in midfield.
If the English players could adapt more, both positionally and in their playing style, we'd probably look remotely decent. Our obsession with playing players in their 'natural position' had led to us 'over accommodating' players. We had Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney playing centrally, when one would have been sufficient.
For me, a player like Sturridge would suit England perfectly if they're to play a counter-attacking style, which I feel they should do. England over recent years have always assumed the role of 'favourite', but, as was seen against Spain, when England aren't favourites and don't try to be, they can actually grind out a decent result. Yes, it was a friendly, but they shown a lot more in that one game than they shown during the World Cup. That should have set the template there and then, they should try and do to Germany what Germany done to them: defend tightly, counter-attack quickly, win the key positional battles and cramp their creative players for space. If England turn up playing 4-4-2, Lampard and Barry in midfield with Rooney and whoever up front, they'll be embarrassed.
Agree with you in general, I think people become obsessed with playing people in positions, when the best sides are the best sides because they are able to interchange, Dani Alves plays about 5 positions a match for Barca and does it with immense quality. Messi is hard to pick up, he collects the ball from so many odd areas of the pitch.
I think the excitement ref Jones is down to his ability to adapt, he looks a player that is equally adept at right back, centre back, anchor in midfield etc, in that respect he reminds me of Hargreaves. I do think we are starting to produce a few more like this, Ashley Young, Sturridge for example can be used in various functions, Rooney too.
From an attacking point of view, once we get a front three that all interchange, are equally comfortable poppong up in each area and that, we'll have a chance.
