I, like most fans, have been disappointed by some of the football this season, so I want to look at reasons why (not simply pin it all on the manager), what our players are offering, what they could and perhaps should be offering, and areas that I think we need to improve. If people enjoy reading this post, then I might continue and address other positions, or even specific players in the side. In this first post I would like to focus on our fullbacks.
To highlight what is expected of the modern fullback we will look at two of the most consistent performers in the Premiership, Leighton Baines and Patrice Evra. Both men get forward well but responsibly, and in Baines’ case provide telling crosses, 25 assists in the last 3 seasons are stats worthy of any winger in the league.
I have included to the right a chalkboard of their passing stats in their appearances against us this season. What is immediately noticeable is the frequency of where they find themselves making their passes, both tight up against the touchline, it is understandable that Evra is seen in a much more advanced position, playing as an auxiliary winger. Both really look to stretch the width of the pitch, and provide their side with a release.
When in more advanced positions it allows, almost forces, those players in front of them to push in side and go in search of space and support teammates in more dangerous parts of the pitch.
The consistency of their passes, in terms of targets and distance, is also apparent; there doesn’t appear to be anything flashy or complicated in their passes, they keep it simple, pass inside and move up the pitch, tight to the touchline, always stretching the width of the pitch. It’s possibly no surprise to see some of their passes inside creating triangles with other passes they’ve made; you can imagine a pass returning to them from a teammate along a similar line to one of their own, as Everton/Utd edge up the pitch and build pressure.
Now it might be a little unfair to look at two of the better fullbacks in the league before looking at our fullbacks, but as I said, I don’t believe they are doing anything flashy or fancy, which is maybe why they are so consistent and considered amongst the best in the league. It’s fair to say that Warnock and Hutton aren’t my favourite players, they constantly frustrate me, with lunging tackles, getting caught at the back post, etc, but I want to look at what they do with the ball, the positions they take up, which affects what we do as a team, both with and without the ball.
To look at our fullbacks contribution I have taken their performance against Leighton Baines Everton earlier this season, in a fairly even game. Its worth bearing in mind that this is Huttons debut but think he has shown very similar tendencies since then.
Immediately there is a marked difference in the consistency of where our fullbacks find themselves making their passes. Both Warnock and Hutton find themselves much deeper than Baines and Evra, and neither are tight up against the touchline.
The deeper position means that any square passes are likely to be to our centre backs, whilst Baines and Evra rarely pass it back to their centre backs. It means it’s harder for Hutton and Evra to edge up the pitch, and hands the initiative to the opposition who can squeeze up the pitch putting us under pressure, but more specifically putting our centre backs under pressure (I will perhaps address our centre backs with the next post, yippee). It’s therefore harder for us to get on the front foot, to build pressure on the opposition, something I’ve felt we have struggled throughout this season, with the exception of a few 15minute periods, which I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking isn’t good enough.
Taking a position 10/15yards inside the touchline makes the pitch more congested and can make life more difficult for teammates on the ball, giving them less time, putting them under more pressure as they have to force a pass. When Hutton or Warnock play a pass inside, especially to our centre backs, they should be backing away quickly, stretching the pitch and creating space, and giving them the option to return the pass, too often this season I have seen them stroll away, often with their back turned to the player with the ball (this point will tie in if I address our centre backs).
The consistency of the positions that both Evra and Baines take up, tight agains the touchline, means that their teammates know where they are, they will usually be available to receive a pass, but maybe more importantly it opens space in the middle of the pitch. I don’t believe Warnock and Hutton provide that for teammates, the consistency of position and availabilty to receive a pass is often lacking, forcing teammates to look elsewhere, into more congested areas.
Our fullbacks should be stretching the width of the pitch, something their teammates can rely on, teammates should grow in confidence with the extra space, safe in the knowledge that there is always a easy pass to a fullback tight to the touchline.
I doubt whether our current fullbacks have the potential to deliver balls and rack up the assists that Baines does, or have the attacking intent that Evra shows, who makes overlapping runs giving more creative players a split second longer to make a difference. However a happy medium would undoubtedly help the side gain some momentum, help us build some pressure, help teammates feel more confident by being available, and give them more time by stretching the pitch.
I’m sure those who play 5-a-side will recognise my next point; our fullbacks should be like a wall on the touchline that teammates can rely on, that players can bounce the ball off, nothing flashy, reliable, and consistent in their positions, to give and receive passes, slowly edging up the pitch, whilst other, more influential players, search for space.
It might be nerves on the part of Warnock and Hutton making them come inside, the former has struggled for form for a while, and the latter hasn’t had regular football for some time, but I would like them both to stretch the pitch, as this should help release some pressure off their teammates, and as a consequence off themselves.
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