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Leighton Baines the left midfielder!
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Just a new tactical idea after seeing the success of Gareth Bale at Spurs in the last 2 months of last season. If we manage to bring him in as a new left back (with a bit more height and experience) then why not give Baines a run on left mid?
He is a workhorse with defensive qualities — playing left mid would mean Leighton would get even more assists than he already does — probably more goals and he has an excellent burst of pace over 50 yards. This could also give Pienaar a chance on our 'problem area' of right mid. If not saying I'm a tactical genius, just an idea — definitely worth a try in my opinion.
John Crook, Posted 17/06/2010 at 21:57:36
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I think Bale is an exception to the rule. Rarely do good attacking fullbacks make anything other than mediocre wingers.
Fingers crossed that the gaffer is going to bring in a specialist wideman this summer.
And whilst Baines is a very good left back, he would make at best a journeyman midfielder. Left back suits him fine!
It's not a good one either.
Gareth Bale was never a full back. He may have played there, but he was dreadful.
???
Moyes has a tendency towards playing people in all sorts of unsuitable positions... so you never know.
With a licence to roam, their vision, range of passing etc will make them practically impossible to pick up by opposing defenders.The space they create will then be exploited by the Yak, Saha etc
Please don't be quick to mock - It will work !
Why not buy NOBODY and play Baines left back and Pienaar left midfield? Just a thought
...because we have no cover / competition there. By the same token I'd buy a specialist left-winger for the same reasons.
I know the World Cup is a let down and all, but don't let the annoying vuvuselas go to your head!
We've got the perfect situation for Baines to thrive, with a creative player ahead of him looking to move inside & create space — why change that?
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Editorial Team
1 Posted 18/06/2010 at 02:54:22
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Why would we bring anyone in at left back to displace Baines? Doesn't make any sense at all. The entire suggestion of playing Baines in midfield is all way too Football/Championship Manager for my liking (what the hell is it called these days anyway? — no; don't tell me: I seriously don't wanna know).
But we are pretty thin for mail so I guess I'll let it go...