A possible new Stanley way ?

[The Alchemist]

I found this a very interesting article on the BBC Sport website.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61648608

[Kiwi John]

That was VERY interesting. Thank you for posting the link Alchy.

[Exile on Spencer St]

I, too, found it interesting but this was in the days when, more or less, nearly every time set up 2-3-5!
Five attackers, and wingers who didn’t have to spend their time backing up the full backs and could hang around the half way line, no doubt with a lit fag hanging from their lower lip, waiting to chase the ball booted up the wing.
How times have changed.
I may be misremembering this but I recall reading that one of the reasons why Stanley Matthews was so ‘revolutionary’ to English football (other than promoting fitness training and ‘slippers’ instead of hob-nail boots) was that, when he received the ball, he then ran at the full back at speed! The cad! The prior convention seemed to have been that the winger politely waited for the opposing full-back to get close before trying to get passed him.
Seems a tad unbelievable, but is it any more so than having five dedicated attackers?

[andyd]

Nothing beats a player beating his marker getting to the byeline and pulling a cross at pace into the penalty area so hard to defend and most goals are scored from within the penalty area so more times your in it more chances to score.

[keep the faith]

Steve Heighway was a perfect example of this style of play!

[choirboy]

Originally Posted by andyd

Nothing beats a player beating his marker getting to the byeline and pulling a cross at pace into the penalty area so hard to defend and most goals are scored from within the penalty area so more times your in it more chances to score.

Fully agree with you Andyd!
I am always urging Sean Mac to get into this position.
I call it “The Golden Spot”……..A winger getting to the bye line with the ball, between six and twelve yards from the near post. Then cutting the ball back towards the penalty spot, takes the opponents goalie and centre backs out of play. Team mates running on to the ball just ten or twelve yards out and goals come direct from shots or deflections! We used to do it a lot years ago when we played with wingers who could beat full backs!