Stuart Downing - mystery of the left footer

Stewart Downing does it. Adam Johnson and Damien Duff like it. Even Ashley Young, Steven Pienaar and Luka Modric are at it. And that's just to name a few.
Right-footed wingers playing on the left and left-footed wingers starring on the right seem to be the new fashion in the Barclays Premier League.

It always seemed odd to me watching Duff playing for the TOON he was itching to get the ball on his strongest foot and got caught out loads of times............

And isn't Zog left footed?

Why do managers play these guys away from their natural strengths?

 

It's always surprised me as well, and was one of the main criticisms I had of Fat Sam, 'cos it narrows your attacking options so much. I was always taught (and teach all the kids I train) that you should attack with width and stretch the defence but if your wingers are always looking to cut inside then in theory it makes it infinitely easier to defend against.....

So to answer your question, I don't know

 

How can you forget Jonas? And why do people always assume that a left footed player HAS to play and the left hand side?

Take Aston Villa for example (since you've named two of their wide men). What would be the point in having two wingers bombing down the wings to whip crosses into Darren Bent? He prefers it into his feet. Therefore the wingers are better off cutting inside to play through balls, or even having a crack at goal themselves. Also the role of the full back has changed dramatically in the last ten years with more and more emphasis being laid on their ability to overlap the winger and provide crosses. Why have two players in the same area doing the same job?

 

The question is whether you want your winger to primarilly stay out wide and supply crosses (in which case he should play on the same wing as his dominat foot) or cut inside and make a direct threat at goal (in which case he should play on the opposite wing)

 

always confused me too. if u got someone who's right footed playing on the left wing, if u were a half decent defender you would no 90% of the time hes going to go inside to try and cross.

at the same time, the amount these players get these days they should be able to cross a ball with their c**k!

 

Remember Ginola and Gillespie.............supplying Shearer and Sir Les..................happy days!

 

I wish you would stop capitalising TOON. its annoying as ****.

 

But, but... my user name has always been like that...

 

Arjen Robben is the original as far as I remember. Cuts inside and gets goals, simple as. Barca do it as well, but with through balls.

Small striker = wingers on wrong side
Big striker = wingers crossing on right side

And in Robben's case, he is there primarily to score.

 

Good point but surely easier to pass to anyone with your strongest foot..............and shoot with strongest foot if in the right position!!

 

No because if your in your right position its harder to shoot because of the narrow angle... as mentioned alot it depends on your striking options, if you want to cut in and shoot play the left foot right side (or vice versa)

 

this. I'm a big fan of inverted wingers, and it works excellently in a 451/433

 

This, I'm one of them inverted winger types and it suits me fine

 

p.s. just because Jonas is right footed DOESNT MEAN HES A RIGHT WINGER