Read why Stephen Puddicombe thinks the inverted winger is the future and why traditional wide men are on the way out.
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Arjen Robben is similarly mono-footed for the all-singing, dancing, pressing tika-taka machine that is Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich. In fairness to Andros, Erik and even Nacer, they aren't really one-footed. They have a dominant foot, but aren't actually useless with the other.I am a very vocal supporter of seeing wide men take on a full-back. I think it is great to see a winger beat a man and makes that full-back then worry every time he comes up against the player in the match. However I also see the advantage of having a player who cuts inside and can chip in with goals himself.
I think my main problem with Spurs at the moment, is that none of the wingers whether inverted or not, ever change their game up a little. You can't tell me that a professional football player can only kick a ball with one foot. If that is the case, maybe he should be in the SPL or the Championship, rather than at a club with top four ambitions.
What I would like to see is a player sometimes cutting inside and other times taking on their man and whipping in a cross. When I watch Andros Townsend or Erik Lamela on the right of the pitch, I know that they will be cutting inside to have a shot or look for a neat little pass. As a supporter I like seeing a winger score a screamer from outside the box, but I also enjoy seeing a full-back being torn a new one/being sent off as he lunges in for a tackle from behind having been humiliated time and time again by a winger who gets past him with ease.
This variety is what is currently lacking from the Spurs side.
The inverted winger has been derided at Tottenham due to the personnel. If it works for Chelsea that is due to Costa or Drogba being such a menace, and having a team play to their strengths but Chadli, Lamela, Townsend and to an extent Lennon consistently fail to produce by cutting inside (Chadli's goals haven't come as a result of being an inverted winger).
If we had the right players, fine but all we do is congest the final third and leave our full backs exposed, which I can't see is beneficial in the slightest.
We have seen him to do that though. But beating one guy is not the same as beating 2-3 and that's what is being asked of anyone at RW at the moment. Until Walker's there to provide the overlap and open player we need, it doesn't matter if it's Lamela, Townsend or Lennon, that guy is going to have a minimum of two players (the FB and LW) to beat at all times.The inverted wingers we have are more like inverted central mids. They dont stay out wide enough before joining in the build up play or cutting in and firing off a shot on their preferred foot. This creates that lack of width and a big cluster fuck of players in and around our box and bores the fuck out of every soul in around the Lane. They are also so inept of having a plan B and going around the outside that they get double teamed because sides know where they are going every time.
For all the clips and rave reviews we hear about Lamela (not a bashing post) I genuinely can't see him beating a full back on the outside with pace or trickery
I think he brings it on himself a little coming inside asking for the ball to often rather than keeping the width. To be fair might be a direct instruction from Poch & co. Was right in front of him vs Palace against their LB who is a RB out of position and he didn't to go around the outside once. In many of these cases he was 1vs1 with the guy. Not sure what the missing ingridient is with him just yet (hoping it's not talent).We have seen him to do that though. But beating one guy is not the same as beating 2-3 and that's what is being asked of anyone at RW at the moment. Until Walker's there to provide the overlap and open player we need, it doesn't matter if it's Lamela, Townsend or Lennon, that guy is going to have a minimum of two players (the FB and LW) to beat at all times.
Wasn't Andros injured? I think that was why he was away for a month.I think he brings it on himself a little coming inside asking for the ball to often rather than keeping the width. To be fair might be a direct instruction from Poch & co. Was right in front of him vs Palace against their LB who is a RB out of position and he didn't to go around the outside once. In many of these cases he was 1vs1 with the guy. Not sure what the missing ingridient is with him just yet (hoping it's not talent).
Another thing that continues to confuse me is all our managers reluctance to play Townsend on the left. Not only can he beat them on the outside, most of his good goals are after cutting onto his non-preferred and the less said about him cutting on to that left the better! :townhmm:
I know all those mentioned do cut in and cut in well but they also keep that go outside the full back there as an option. Seen Hazard go to the byline on his left many times. This then creates the uncertainty in the full backs mind about what he is doing next. With Erik it's 2 or 3 step overs onto his left coming inside or pass back to the CBLamela just doesnt't have it in him. I mean, that movement, beating his opponent on the outside to reach the touchline and cross? I bet it is not even an option in his mind. He's there for cutting in, like the Robbens, Hazards, Reuses, Pedros, Schurrles, Hulks, Lucases, Iturbes, Shaqiris, Draxlers, Mertenses, El Shaarawys and pretty much all other young wingers of this world.
That's a job for FBs nowadays.