Ryan Bertrand's right foot

... what is it for?

I'm worried I am becoming some weird kind of obsessive, because when I go to the match I seem to spend most of my time watching for him to actually touch the ball with it. He doesn't even use it when he's dribbling. I guess he would probably fall over quite a lot if he didn't have a right foot, but the rest of his footballing ability would be unchanged.

More seriously, I actually think Ryan's one-footedness is one of the things that leads to sideways passing and slow build-up. If the opposing player can block him from going down the wing and force him to turn cross field, the only place the ball can go is backwards or sideways, because to pass diagonally forwards, he would need to use his wrong foot.

Don't get me wrong - I think he's a brilliant player. Great defensive positioning, good in the air, tremendous when overlapping into the opposition box and quick to snuff out danger. Plus a good crosser and great dead ball delivery. But surely a Premier League player should be able to make a simple 10yd pass with his wrong foot?

 

You might have the same observation of Manolo's right foot. Both have wands for their left foot though, so they make up for it and some.

 

Have to be honest... I think this is a nothing subject. There are hundreds of really one footed players and all though that can be frustrating, I think Bertie is the last player I'd be thinking if discussing frustrating, one footed players.

To think Bertie being one footed is the reason for our sideways passing, is a little nuts. Yes, I think you must have a little obsessive behaviour going on. Maybe a trip to the doctor ??

 

To add to your thoughts and comment on "surely a premier league footballer ..." (which by the way I totally understand):

MARADONA

 

You're right, of course, I need therapy. It just seems like Bertrand is at the extreme end of one-footedness and it does sometimes compromise his play. But as you say - the genius in his left foot makes up for it.

 

We don't need Bertrand's right foot - we've got Boufal's.

 

Who definitely does also possess a left foot as well!

 

Whan I saw the title of this thread, I thought "has he even got one"?

One footed players at this level are a bugbear of mine. Haven't they been coached ffs? Don't they practice with their weaker foot? Fair enough favouring one over the other, very few players are as good with both. But missing the right pass, or a scoring opportunity, because you are adjusting your weight to get the ball on the other foot? Unforgiveable imo.

Not saying Ryan is really that guilty of this to be fair.

 

Cedric doesn't have a left foot, so I think that balances the team up

 

Cedric uses his left foot quite a lot, he quite often cuts back and centres the ball with it.

 

He can't cross with either of them though

 

A lack of a right foot on Tadic or Gabbi is a much bigger issue than a lack of one on Bertrand.

 

Indeed.

I was going to type something like... but I can understand why some people might wonder at Bertie's natural left-sidedness... blah blah, but actually, I can't. We live in a right-sided world. So being naturally left-sided is a basic difference. It looks odd to some. The balance appears wrong to some. Try watching a Saints match in the mirror and see how balanced the right sided Bertie is in that. He'll look fine. And as for questioning the quality of his favoured foot, WHAT.? The guy is the best crosser of the ball in the PL. He just doesn't do it now because there's little point.

 

18months ago, Ryan went to a tarot card reader for a laugh. He was subsequently told, if he is to keep using both feet he'd spend his days in purgatory, sorry my spelling is bad, Mersyside, so since then he has been doing all he can to avoid that curse. One foot wonder, but give him a break.

 

I was wishing that Shane had a left foot when he was 2 yards in front of goal yesterday....

 

Rickie had a left foot and a right foot - I don`t think they had any fancy academies at Rochdale or Macclesfield or where ever to wipe their asses for them.

 

Matthew Le Tissier was pretty handy with both.

 

Not with any degree of accuracy when he does. I see the look of panic when he realizes he has to use it

 

Matt's left foot was better than practically everyone else's favoured foot.

 

Brilliant right-footed trap!