Donovan Better On The Left

[Guiseley Blade]

Seen this mentioned on a few threads and agree, Donovan looks so much better playing on the left hand side on his natural foot. He's closed out a few games over on that side now but never started.

Main reason is that (like Brooks last year) on the right, he checks back all the time and runs into traffic. It stops all good momentum and is completely reliant on a Seriki overlap to save the move, which we now can't do.

Can you see this happening more? If so, who do we have to plug a gap at RW?

 

[Groucho Blade]

I wonder if the Duffy role will soon be known as The Donovan role

 

[ATL Recs]

Seen this mentioned on a few threads and agree, Donovan looks so much better playing on the left hand side on his natural foot. He's closed out a few games over on that side now but never started.

Main reason is that (like Brooks last year) on the right, he checks back all the time and runs into traffic. It stops all good momentum and is completely reliant on a Seriki overlap to save the move, which we now can't do.

Can you see this happening more? If so, who do we have to plug a gap at RW?

He does not check back all the time he does more running at people is more direct and draws defenders in creating space for our walking footballers to exploit
It’s not going to work every time allow him don’t stifle his hunger
tbut he was very effective on the right and when he moved to the left was much more isolated and deep until he made a great run and Phillips picked him out

 

[ancientblade]

Seen this mentioned on a few threads and agree, Donovan looks so much better playing on the left hand side on his natural foot. He's closed out a few games over on that side now but never started.

Main reason is that (like Brooks last year) on the right, he checks back all the time and runs into traffic. It stops all good momentum and is completely reliant on a Seriki overlap to save the move, which we now can't do.

Can you see this happening more? If so, who do we have to plug a gap at RW?

i was one of them who suggested donovan on the left once chong is fit again and it worked perfectly for the winner tuesday night if bbd had picked the ball up there he would have checked back inside on to his right foot and that does give the opposition that bit more chance to get a block in

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Hold the back page!
“Left footed wide man plays better on left”…Stone the bloody crows!!!

 

[AWetFlannel]

Seen this mentioned on a few threads and agree, Donovan looks so much better playing on the left hand side on his natural foot. He's closed out a few games over on that side now but never started.

Main reason is that (like Brooks last year) on the right, he checks back all the time and runs into traffic. It stops all good momentum and is completely reliant on a Seriki overlap to save the move, which we now can't do.

Can you see this happening more? If so, who do we have to plug a gap at RW?

I disagree. He's not played on the left nearly enough to conclude he looks better there, and there's a reason the vast majority of clubs (including his parent club Brentford) play wingers on their "wrong" side.

 

[Working Class Hero]

He scored from the left, but looked far better and was far more involved on the right the other night.

 

[Blademan89]

I disagree. He's not played on the left nearly enough to conclude he looks better there, and there's a reason the vast majority of clubs (including his parent club Brentford) play wingers on their "wrong" side.

Yep.

Play winger on theor natural side when they are very 1 footed players is easy to defend against - only can go 1 way.

Play on opposite side the defender has to keep guessing os he going to come inside and shoot or pass or on outside to beat me to byline.

Its not hard to understand why wingers playing on opposite flanks. I'm not sure why we need a new post everytime this happens or when they go back onto their natural side (due to us having no one else there to play), all I can assume is prople have never played football who are thinking these up.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

He’s effective on both wings and an outlet we can switch up whenever it suits. I like the idea of having Donovan and BBD on the pitch at the same time and would prefer to have the latter on the left as we’ve seen before, BBD isn’t particularly good on the right.

 

[Zeblades34]

Does my tits in how wingers can't use both feet anymore

 

[CPB]

It's why we needed another option for the wing.
As it stands now once Chong is back we have a bit more to choose from. Burrows could possibly play LM too.

Shackleton didn't look terrible at RM. So could be an option at times too. We need to use the squad where we can.

Doherty can play RWB too so could be deployed RM too.

Can't work out what's going on with him. Can only assume our coaches don't think he's up to speed? Would have expected him to be involved Vs Cardiff etc.

 

[Keen Blade]

Yep.

Play winger on theor natural side when they are very 1 footed players is easy to defend against - only can go 1 way.

Play on opposite side the defender has to keep guessing os he going to come inside and shoot or pass or on outside to beat me to byline.

Its not hard to understand why wingers playing on opposite flanks. I'm not sure why we need a new post everytime this happens or when they go back onto their natural side (due to us having no one else there to play), all I can assume is prople have never played football who are thinking these up.

If the players we can afford are very one-footed , then an inverted winger is dead easy to defend coz he's never going on the outside - he's always gonna move inside into traffic or check-back to pass.
The only inverted wingers which give the defender a problem are those who are fairly strong on their weaker foot and we can't afford them - they play in the PL , as do most genuinely two-footed players.
What we should do is allow our wingers to swap over , at will , during the game , which at least tests the defender in different ways , and in the heat of battle he may even forget which way the one who's coming at him is gonna go.

 

[sportsmanblade]

Ive said it many times already, i think hes a 10. He needs to be given a free role to find pockets, let the wing back push up in attack, and Kalvin drop in the pivot for the pings
4132 but i trust Wilder he will figure it out UTB

if not its going to be pretty predictable to defend against us

 

[Blademan89]

If the players we can afford are very one-footed , then an inverted winger is dead easy to defend coz he's never going on the outside - he's always gonna move inside into traffic or check-back to pass.
The only inverted wingers which give the defender a problem are those who are fairly strong on their weaker foot and we can't afford them - they play in the PL , as do most genuinely two-footed players.
What we should do is allow our wingers to swap over , at will , during the game , which at least tests the defender in different ways , and in the heat of battle he may even forget which way the one who's coming at him is gonna go.

Even heavily 1 footed players playing invterted can go on the outside using theor strong foot, so still harder to defend against. If they have the speed to grt past the defending on the outside.

Either way im big believer in professional footballers being able to use both feet and It infuriates me seeing those playing at the highest level that cant use both, its stuff you expect in sunday league levels.

My dad coached me to use both feet at a very young age and it paid dividends for me personally (well would say annoying for me more in my youth, as there wasnt msny left footed ppayers in the teams I played for growing up, so i often got stuck on the left hand side as i could use it like my right).

Whats a bit extra work in training or after training for these players to focus on being two footed.

 

[Silent Blade]

It is obvious that the fans who are against inverted wingers have never played football for their school teams or for a local team. I am right footed and usually played in right midfield which was my preferred position, quite a few times I would be asked to play on my left and it could be easier to cut inside or deliver early crosses. As I wasnt really quick footed I was more comfortable playing on the right.

Over the few years playing local football I have seen players with quick feet are more effective playing as inverted wingers. I have seen the same with watching professional football in the last 56 years that high class players play more effectively as inverted wingers. Examples are Peter Taylor (Palace and Spurs), Chris Waddle, John Barnes, John Robertson and the list goes on

All the whinging about inverted wingers is very boring!

 

[ancientblade]

Yep.

Play winger on theor natural side when they are very 1 footed players is easy to defend against - only can go 1 way.

Play on opposite side the defender has to keep guessing os he going to come inside and shoot or pass or on outside to beat me to byline.

Its not hard to understand why wingers playing on opposite flanks. I'm not sure why we need a new post everytime this happens or when they go back onto their natural side (due to us having no one else there to play), all I can assume is prople have never played football who are thinking these up.

i played football from school and up to mid 70s in local football so i assure you i wasnt just thinking it up when i suggested donovan down left its just another option and cant just be dismissed

 

[AWetFlannel]

If the players we can afford are very one-footed , then an inverted winger is dead easy to defend coz he's never going on the outside - he's always gonna move inside into traffic or check-back to pass.
The only inverted wingers which give the defender a problem are those who are fairly strong on their weaker foot and we can't afford them - they play in the PL , as do most genuinely two-footed players.
What we should do is allow our wingers to swap over , at will , during the game , which at least tests the defender in different ways , and in the heat of battle he may even forget which way the one who's coming at him is gonna go.

Swapping wings at will can create problems, such as being out of position during the swap and not being as familiar with the winger and full back you're up against. It's more difficult to build a relationship with your full back if you swap, and wingers might have specific roles out of possession to deal with a threat on their side.

Plenty of inverted wingers are completely one-footed, going back to someone like Robben. Donovan has already shown he can go both ways, as did Brooks.

Given our lack of wide options, we might have to play Donovan on the left, but it won't be because he's better there.

 

[AWetFlannel]

i played football from school and up to mid 70s in local football so i assure you i wasnt just thinking it up when i suggested donovan down left its just another option and cant just be dismissed

Football has changed a lot since the 70s. Rather than crossing the ball at the first opportunity, the vast majority of teams want to control the ball in the final third, probing while waiting for a good opportunity to cross or play into the forwards. Because wingers now need to play the ball back and inside more often, it makes sense to have them inverted.

 

[ancientblade]

Football has changed a lot since the 70s. Rather than crossing the ball at the first opportunity, the vast majority of teams want to control the ball in the final third, probing while waiting for a good opportunity to cross or play into the forwards. Because wingers now need to play the ball back and inside more often, it makes sense to have them inverted.

well personally im more in favour of putting early crosses in to the box when the opposition defence isnt set dont like the way we play in triangles on our right slowing play down and allowing the oppositions defence time to get set thats why seriki is a big miss for us he goes on the outside at speed and puts dangerous crosses in to the box but all about opinions everybody has different takes with tactics utb

 

[Kenilworth]

It is obvious that the fans who are against inverted wingers have never played football for their school teams or for a local team. I am right footed and usually played in right midfield which was my preferred position, quite a few times I would be asked to play on my left and it could be easier to cut inside or deliver early crosses. As I wasnt really quick footed I was more comfortable playing on the right.

Over the few years playing local football I have seen players with quick feet are more effective playing as inverted wingers. I have seen the same with watching professional football in the last 56 years that high class players play more effectively as inverted wingers. Examples are Peter Taylor (Palace and Spurs), Chris Waddle, John Barnes, John Robertson and the list goes on

All the whinging about inverted wingers is very boring!

My view is that I am fine with a player playing as an inverted winger but also mixing it up and reverting to an orthodox winger for their stronger foot.

At cubs and school and beyond, I played left side a lot even though I am predominantly right footed. I taught myself to be able to use either foot at an early stage. That meant I could choose to go either way. Got to the point where I could take corners, accurately, with my left peg, too.

Shame I wasn’t good enough to make the grade as a pro

 

[Dnblade]

Even heavily 1 footed players playing invterted can go on the outside using theor strong foot, so still harder to defend against. If they have the speed to grt past the defending on the outside.

Either way im big believer in professional footballers being able to use both feet and It infuriates me seeing those playing at the highest level that cant use both, its stuff you expect in sunday league levels.

My dad coached me to use both feet at a very young age and it paid dividends for me personally (well would say annoying for me more in my youth, as there wasnt msny left footed ppayers in the teams I played for growing up, so i often got stuck on the left hand side as i could use it like my right).

Whats a bit extra work in training or after training for these players to focus on being two footed.

I was the same,i practiced right foot v left foot against the wall when i was a young lad until i was as comfortable on my left as on my right.
Watching Donavon on the right,i've seen him cut in on his left and then go past on the right,on the outside...then other times he'll cut in and he can put Hamza or Femi in on the overlap or get a shot off if possible...looks a good exciting player,but seems to have good work rate off the ball aswell.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

He scored from the left, but looked far better and was far more involved on the right the other night.

He was good all over the pitch. Very tricky and tenacious with a low centre of gravity…Nearest thing I’ve seen to Illiman in a Blades shirt. I’m sure there’s more to come.

 

[Guiseley Blade]

When I asked the initial question, I wasn't actually referring to all inverted wingers. For example BBD is great on the left and I hate him on the right. Someone mentions higher up pace of the player is a big factor in this.

I think the point a lot have correctly raised is some players don't seem to be two footed anymore which is odd. Peak Wilder was about complete balance and same side player over/under lapping and crossing into Sharp etc. Feel we've lost this option recently.

Football works in cycles and tactical trends make their way back. The Athletic discussed 'same side' wingers as their most predicted tactical trend of this season. So isn't complete dinosaur stuff.

Or I'm going crazy praying a Burrows or Seriki can do a job for us up to Xmas, otherwise we're toast. (Prefer them to shackleton anyway).

Even though he has an odd tendency to balloon cross from the right, think Donovan could play anywhere and be our best attacker though, great start & good to watch.

 

[Keen Blade]

My view is that I am fine with a player playing as an inverted winger but also mixing it up and reverting to an orthodox winger for their stronger foot.

At cubs and school and beyond, I played left side a lot even though I am predominantly right footed. I taught myself to be able to use either foot at an early stage. That meant I could choose to go either way. Got to the point where I could take corners, accurately, with my left peg, too.

Shame I wasn’t good enough to make the grade as a pro

All pro footballers should attempt to strengthen their weaknesses and the prime candidate for such improvement should be your weaker foot.
I find it very frustrating when you see a pro footballer in our team who can't reliably make even a basic clearance with his weaker foot.

 

[Keen Blade]

He was good all over the pitch. Very tricky and tenacious with a low centre of gravity…Nearest thing I’ve seen to Illiman in a Blades shirt. I’m sure there’s more to come.

You reckon him better than RakSaki already ? Genuine question

 

[Kenilworth]

You reckon him better than RakSaki already ? Genuine question

I believe he probably is.
I really like his attitude. The lad will go far.

 

[wak1889]

Yep.

Play winger on theor natural side when they are very 1 footed players is easy to defend against - only can go 1 way.

Play on opposite side the defender has to keep guessing os he going to come inside and shoot or pass or on outside to beat me to byline.

Its not hard to understand why wingers playing on opposite flanks. I'm not sure why we need a new post everytime this happens or when they go back onto their natural side (due to us having no one else there to play), all I can assume is prople have never played football who are thinking these up.

Just so I can understand this , explain the difference why a left footed winger going on the outside on his natural foot or cutting inside to his weaker foot is more likely to keep a defender guessing than a left footed winger on the right going on the outside on his weaker foot as opposed to cutting inside on his stronger foot ?

 

[Blademan89]

Just so I can understand this , explain the difference why a left footed winger going on the outside on his natural foot or cutting inside to his weaker foot is more likely to keep a defender guessing than a left footed winger on the right going on the outside on his weaker foot as opposed to cutting inside on his stronger foot ?

Dont have to go on outside with your weaker foot, surely you would dribble woth your stronger foot?

When hes on the natural side there pretty much 1 way he can go thats down line in ourside cross it in usually.. coming inside hes having to shoot with ourside of stronger foot or pass it off.....

On the other side he can come in shoot with natural foot better or pass it or go on the outside beat the defender for pace or trickery and drive into the box......