Is Lowton too attack minded?

[kop_blade9]

A few times last night he was way out of position when Walsall broke and Monty had to come racing back to try and cover for him.
Mendez-lang aught to be alternating with him to go forward but they both go and leave huge gaps at the back.
Maybe we need another fullback and try him on the wing?

 

[SwissBlade]

A few times last night he was way out of position when Walsall broke and Monty had to come racing back to try and cover for him.
Mendez-lang aught to be alternating with him to go forward but they both go and leave huge gaps at the back.
Maybe we need another fullback and try him on the wing?

I think Lowton is fairly decent defensively, but he does love to get forward.

It sounds like MDL had a poor game last night anyway, so he perhaps needs time to bed in.

The fullback/ winger combo is a very interesting point, some claim that a winger should just attack. I believe, as you alluded to, that the two should work as a unit, filling in for the other - this is what the english first called total football before Ajax and the dutch took it on and improved it. It's the way I played in holland.

The problem as you said is that it relies on someone filling in.

I'd say that it's not Lowton that needs to improve defensively, it's MDL that needs to add this to his game and worknon a partnership with Lowton. If Wilson can get the fullbacks and wingers linking up then we'll be a very exciting team and hard to handle

 

[Kentblade]

I think Lowton is fairly decent defensively, but he does love to get forward.

It sounds like MDL had a poor game last night anyway, so he perhaps needs time to bed in.

The fullback/ winger combo is a very interesting point, some claim that a winger should just attack. I believe, as you alluded to, that the two should work as a unit, filling in for the other - this is what the english first called total football before Ajax and the dutch took it on and improved it. It's the way I played in holland.

The problem as you said is that it relies on someone filling in.

I'd say that it's not Lowton that needs to improve defensively, it's MDL that needs to add this to his game and worknon a partnership with Lowton. If Wilson can get the fullbacks and wingers linking up then we'll be a very exciting team and hard to handle

Some of our best times have been when we have full backs and wingers linking up.
Possibly the finest example of this was when Len Badger was full back and Alan Woodward on the wing.
I can see them now,what a pair they were together.
UTB

 

[RealMcCoy]

A few times last night he was way out of position when Walsall broke and Monty had to come racing back to try and cover for him.
Mendez-lang aught to be alternating with him to go forward but they both go and leave huge gaps at the back.
Maybe we need another fullback and try him on the wing?

Answer: No

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Full backs bombing forward is key to Wilson's system and as long as we're covering well enough, long may it continue

You'll struggle to find a successful team in recent years who don't have good attacking full backs.

 

[super_pig]

attacking fullbacks are key to the modern game.. seeing as they spend most of their time redundant then they make auxilliary midfielders.. they do however need cover when they get caught upfield.. our distinct 'lack' of attacking fullbacks has been a key problem over the last couple of years.. as i've said verbatim (mainly to hoofy blackwell).. 'in the modern game you can't simply stick centre backs on their day off at fullback anymore'.. they haven't got the engine to get up and down..
whilst i'm not convinced it his natural position (personally i'd play him in montys position as he is capable of breaking into the box as well as breaking up play) i think tuesday was a one off performance.. an inconsistency to be expected of such a young player

 

[kop_blade9]

Full backs bombing forward is key to Wilson's system and as long as we're covering well enough, long may it continue

It's the lack of covering I am worried about.
Too much space for a pacy attack to exploit.
I can see us getting caught out.

I don't mind him going forward as he seems to have an eye for a goal but I think at times he needs to be a little more defensive minded or a system needs to be worked out that somebody is going to cover for him when he goes rampaging.
Monty's charging back to help out did not look a planned thing.

 

[super_pig]

>It's the lack of covering I am worried about
that is for the manager to sort out.. i thought that most of walsalls main thrust of attack seemed to be straight down the middle

 

[stannyblade]

I have been to all league games this season and I dont think Lowton has played well in any of them

 

[Bergen Blade]

It's the lack of covering I am worried about.
Too much space for a pacy attack to exploit.
I can see us getting caught out.

I don't mind him going forward as he seems to have an eye for a goal but I think at times he needs to be a little more defensive minded or a system needs to be worked out that somebody is going to cover for him when he goes rampaging.
Monty's charging back to help out did not look a planned thing.

For Walsall's goal Maguire was too slow to move sideways to cover in behind Lowton. Their player ran at him with pace, very hard to be an uncovered defender in such a situation. Some deal with it better than others, and it doesn't seem to be Lowton's strength. But Wilson must stress that Maguire MUST move over more quickly.

 

[Brisca Blade]

I have been to all league games this season and I dont think Lowton has played well in any of them

Think thats a bit harsh. Thought he did well on Saturday and set up a goal and although he played badly Tuesday night never let his head drop and scored the first goal. Have to say i think he will turn out to be a central midfielder in time can see him and Mcallister being the central midfield partnership

 

[Paddys Cough]

I remember when I first started getting into football properly, watching Chris Short/Mark Beard as full back bombing on with Mitch Ward - 9 times out of 10 it resulted in a promising attack..............Great days!

 

[blade too long]

Naughton and Walker occasionally left holes at the back at first, but Id rather we let in the odd goal and outscore the opposition than not be aggressive

Peterborough being a prime example
win games 5-3
much better than dull old 1=0

 

[Bergen Blade]

Answer: No

Right wing doesn't seem like his ideal position either. At the moment I think he offers so much offensively from right back that he should probably be allowed to continue there. I am concerned when wingers are running at him though, and I'm not sure he'll make a top class right back. He looked so comfortable at centre half against Leeds last season, but he is a bit small for a centre back. With his attributes central midfield may eventually be his best position.

 

[Micalijo]

I say central midfield best position. Regarding his goal on Tuesday, when was the last time anyone saw a right back score from a cross from the right wing?

 

[JohnDenver]

I say central midfield best position. Regarding his goal on Tuesday, when was the last time anyone saw a right back score from a cross from the right wing?

That's not impossible by any means - he has many of the attributes.

I like him at right back in this league as we should be able to absorb his defensive weakness. But in truth, I think he simply gives his man too much space. He drops back instead of engaging. An easily sorted flaw, surely?

 

[Foxy]

I think Matt himself wants to establish a settled position so he's not just Mr Versatile.

I'd hazard a guess that this position will remain right back as whilst he has played elsewhere, it seems to be the position he's most fancied in.

 

[Bergen Blade]

But in truth, I think he simply gives his man too much space. He drops back instead of engaging. An easily sorted flaw, surely?

Some full backs struggle with this and we've also seen Lowton dive in too rashly at times. Maybe it'll come with experience and coaching. He needs to reduce the number of times the winger can run at him through positioning and better closing down, and we need to have the 2nd defender covering in behind him.

 

[MunXy]

to my mind, id like to see simmo bombing forward too, as stated by blade too long, id much rather see a 5-3 than a dull 1-0, did anyone not enjoy Necastle under keegan with an all out attacking mentality?
yes he won nowt but a little tweaking and i think he would have, and lets be honest even with 4 defenders simmo couldnt save many goals so why not just send em forward in waves and play we can out score you

MunXy

 

[super_pig]

>Their player ran at him with pace, very hard to be an uncovered defender in such a situation
hhmm.. makes me wonder where the much sought after 'holding midfielder' was at the time?? basically you have no chance as a defender if someone is running straight at you with no cover.. you have to time it perfectly.. come to think of it.. one of my pet hates is when most of the kop start bawling 'gerrinto 'im' and stuff when the defence is backing off.. don't they realise a.. they shouldn't be in that postion in the first place b. you have to wait for a miscontrol and time your challenge to perfection.. c. if you dive in they'll pass it round you. dumb b**tards.

 

[Bergen Blade]

>Their player ran at him with pace, very hard to be an uncovered defender in such a situation
hhmm.. makes me wonder where the much sought after 'holding midfielder' was at the time?? basically you have no chance as a defender if someone is running straight at you with no cover.. you have to time it perfectly.. come to think of it.. one of my pet hates is when most of the kop start bawling 'gerrinto 'im' and stuff when the defence is backing off.. don't they realise a.. they shouldn't be in that postion in the first place b. you have to wait for a miscontrol and time your challenge to perfection.. c. if you dive in they'll pass it round you. dumb b**tards.

Monty was the only midfielder working back to help out the defence, but couldn't block the ball out wide to Hurst. The support had to come from Maguire in that situation. You are right, when a defender has noone behind him covering, his main priority is to win time and not allow the opposition to get past him, usually he has to back off.

It is different when the 2nd defender is in place behind though. Then the 1st defender is supposed to try to win the ball. Even if he is dribbled the opponent will often lose a bit of balance/pace and the 2nd defender can sweep up (unless the opponent is Messi).


Also explained here:

You will hear the terms First Defender, Second Defender and Third Defender used in this manual and in any any coaching course that you take. The First Defender is the person nearest the attacking ball carrier. The initial job of the first defender is not to steal the ball, but to delay the opponent until his teammates arrive to help.

The Second Defender is the second person to arrive at the scene. The job of the second defender is to provide cover for the first defender. That is to cover up any mistake that the first defender might make.

When the second defender arrives on the scene, the job of the first defender changes from delay to pressure.

The job of the Third Defender is to provide balance.

 

[SwissBlade]

>Their player ran at him with pace, very hard to be an uncovered defender in such a situation
hhmm.. makes me wonder where the much sought after 'holding midfielder' was at the time?? basically you have no chance as a defender if someone is running straight at you with no cover.. you have to time it perfectly.. come to think of it.. one of my pet hates is when most of the kop start bawling 'gerrinto 'im' and stuff when the defence is backing off.. don't they realise a.. they shouldn't be in that postion in the first place b. you have to wait for a miscontrol and time your challenge to perfection.. c. if you dive in they'll pass it round you. dumb b**tards.

True of the first defender, but as a unit we should be closing the oppo instead of backing off and giving space.

One major difference in the PL is that the defending team stands off and works as a unit. To do this the players have to be extremely disciplined. Personally I've always pushed the kids I've coached to get close to their man very early to make it more difficult to allow their man to receive the ball.

This is done for two reasons:

1) never have the time to work on the disciplined zonal/ unit approach.
2) this option works well with high fitness levels on my sides

 

[Micalijo]

True of the first defender, but as a unit we should be closing the oppo instead of backing off and giving space.

One major difference in the PL is that the defending team stands off and works as a unit. To do this the players have to be extremely disciplined. Personally I've always pushed the kids I've coached to get close to their man very early to make it more difficult to allow their man to receive the ball.

This is done for two reasons:

1) never have the time to work on the disciplined zonal/ unit approach.
2) this option works well with high fitness levels on my sides

Might have known your sides have high fitness levels after all your pre-season tours to the Sahara desert and midday 10 mile training runs in Qatar.

Agree with you though, who has the time to work on defending as a unit. Hopefully better players will understand what to do and when to tackle and when to drop off.

 

[Bladesman]

Couldn't give a monkeys if he is too attack minded aslong as someone covers his position when he does get forward.

He is chipping in with goals at the moment so Mendezlaing needs to learn how to cover.

 

[stannyblade]

>Their player ran at him with pace, very hard to be an uncovered defender in such a situation
hhmm.. makes me wonder where the much sought after 'holding midfielder' was at the time?? basically you have no chance as a defender if someone is running straight at you with no cover.. you have to time it perfectly.. come to think of it.. one of my pet hates is when most of the kop start bawling 'gerrinto 'im' and stuff when the defence is backing off.. don't they realise a.. they shouldn't be in that postion in the first place b. you have to wait for a miscontrol and time your challenge to perfection.. c. if you dive in they'll pass it round you. dumb b**tards.

Simmo drops the ball -- Montys fault
Cresswell misses open net --- Montys fault
Quinn mishits a freekick ---- Montys fault

Tottenham riots --- Montys fault
The Recession must be his fault as well

Good god man not everything is his fault.
If Lowton is bombing forward then it should be Mendez Laing that drops back. Thats what overlapping is about. Like Mitch Ward and Chris Short used to do

 

[Bladesman]

Simmo drops the ball -- Montys fault
Cresswell misses open net --- Montys fault
Quinn mishits a freekick ---- Montys fault

Tottenham riots --- Montys fault
The Recession must be his fault as well

Good god man not everything is his fault.
If Lowton is bombing forward then it should be Mendez Laing that drops back. Thats what overlapping is about. Like Mitch Ward and Chris Short used to do

Yeah but to be fair they are all Monty's fault.

 

[SwissBlade]

Might have known your sides have high fitness levels after all your pre-season tours to the Sahara desert and midday 10 mile training runs in Qatar.

Agree with you though, who has the time to work on defending as a unit. Hopefully better players will understand what to do and when to tackle and when to drop off.

Ha ha I never took teams out there, but I put myself through walks through Doha in the heat on my days off and I did a couple of desert runs through the dunes in ras al khaimah.

But yes fitness is one of the simplest ways to get an edge on teams so all teams should exploit it