Ex Royals (No not prince Andrew)

[Lower West]

I'm sure Wenger didn't sign Henry with the express plan of converting him to a striker. I'm also sure Henry was much younger and less fully formed as a player. You're just being daft now.

He was 22 had made 120something league apps and was certainly bought by his former manager to play as a striker. You need to bone up on the greatest ever premier league striker.

In any case, one exceptional exception proves nothing.

Midfielders in midfield. Attackers in attack. Defenders in defence.

I can't believe people still haven't learnt that square pegs don't fit in round holes.

Sol Campbell rose through the system at Spurs as a striker. Then played left back. Finally ended up as a world class centre back.

[The Enfield Royal71]

Looks like Ian is eating some humble pie!!!

[NewCorkSeth]

He was 22 had made 120something league apps and was certainly bought by his former manager to play as a striker. You need to bone up on the greatest ever premier league striker.

In any case, one exceptional exception proves nothing.

Midfielders in midfield. Attackers in attack. Defenders in defence.

I can't believe people still haven't learnt that square pegs don't fit in round holes.

Sol Campbell rose through the system at Spurs as a striker. Then played left back. Finally ended up as a world class centre back.

Koscielny started as a striker. It's fairly common for strikers it seems. In a less impressive player Greg Cunningham was a striker before his move to the UK.

[John Smith]

Koscielny started as a striker.

Well he's useless as a defender so I'm not sure what he's supposed to be

[NewCorkSeth]

Koscielny started as a striker.

Well he's useless as a defender so I'm not sure what he's supposed to be

Very witty.

[Snowflake Royal]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

[NewCorkSeth]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

I think your definitive, no room for manoeuvre statement drew them all in.

If you had said something like "of course it can happen, I just have a preference to play specialist players in specialist positions. Especially given our finances and previous 2 seasons" then I doubt anyone would have bothered.

You bring this on yourself by being a unrelenting wall.

[The Enfield Royal71]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

Why are they shit examples?

What about Gareth Bale? That's a pretty good example. Going from shite LB to one of the best players in the world on the wing.

Antonio Valencia did the reverse. Was Man United captain. Just saying.

Mascerano as a CDM to CB. I think hes done okay for himself.

Ronaldo himself going from winger to striker. The best ever footballer in the world cannot be a shit example.

You get my point. Maybe don't try to make such an aggresive and arrogant statement and then when called out on it don't say you were wrong but all those (Henry LOL) were shit...

[Snowflake Royal]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

Why are they shit examples?

What about Gareth Bale? That's a pretty good example. Going from shite LB to one of the best players in the world on the wing.

Antonio Valencia did the reverse. Was Man United captain. Just saying.

Mascerano as a CDM to CB. I think hes done okay for himself.

Ronaldo himself going from winger to striker. The best ever footballer in the world cannot be a shit example.

You get my point. Maybe don't try to make such an aggresive and arrogant statement and then when called out on it don't say you were wrong but all those (Henry LOL) were shit...

These would be very good points if I'd said players never change position.

But I didn't.

[The Enfield Royal71]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

Why are they shit examples?

What about Gareth Bale? That's a pretty good example. Going from shite LB to one of the best players in the world on the wing.

Antonio Valencia did the reverse. Was Man United captain. Just saying.

Mascerano as a CDM to CB. I think hes done okay for himself.

Ronaldo himself going from winger to striker. The best ever footballer in the world cannot be a shit example.

You get my point. Maybe don't try to make such an aggresive and arrogant statement and then when called out on it don't say you were wrong but all those (Henry LOL) were shit...

These would be very good points if I'd said players never change position.

But I didn't.

You made that exact point.

[Stranded]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

Do Graeme Murty, signed as winger and converted to RB and Obita changing from winger to LB count as shit examples?

I'm not necessarily a fan of buying a CB and converting him but if a manager and coaches identify that a player has the skill set to succeed in a different postion that the one they are known for then fine. Some players settle into a position early in their career and stick with it when perhaps a slight tweak to that (and CB to DM is arguably not a massive difference) could propel them to higher levels.

[From Despair To Where?]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

Why are they shit examples?

What about Gareth Bale? That's a pretty good example. Going from shite LB to one of the best players in the world on the wing.

Antonio Valencia did the reverse. Was Man United captain. Just saying.

Mascerano as a CDM to CB. I think hes done okay for himself.

Ronaldo himself going from winger to striker. The best ever footballer in the world cannot be a shit example.

You get my point. Maybe don't try to make such an aggresive and arrogant statement and then when called out on it don't say you were wrong but all those (Henry LOL) were shit...

Calm down, it's Ian, it goes with the territory.

You could agree with him 100% and he'd still argue he was more right than you.

[NewCorkSeth]

Are people still replying to this with shit examples and edge cases?

Why are they shit examples?

What about Gareth Bale? That's a pretty good example. Going from shite LB to one of the best players in the world on the wing.

Antonio Valencia did the reverse. Was Man United captain. Just saying.

Mascerano as a CDM to CB. I think hes done okay for himself.

Ronaldo himself going from winger to striker. The best ever footballer in the world cannot be a shit example.

You get my point. Maybe don't try to make such an aggresive and arrogant statement and then when called out on it don't say you were wrong but all those (Henry LOL) were shit...

You left out Lahm and Schweinsteiger who after Henry were probably the most successful examples. Lahm went from LB at a world cup keeping Messi quiet to Peps best CM at Bayern.

Edit: speaking of Bayern players didnt Alaba switch from CM to LB? That was pretty successful too.

Edit number 2: Wasnt Bale a winger first then 'Arry moved him to LB?

[The Enfield Royal71]

All this does is go to show how little Ian knows about football. Quite hilarious considering how he is the most vocal and condescending about it.

[NewCorkSeth]

I dont think hes completely incorrect. This whole thing started because I suggested Hector has all the attributes to play DM. Like Declan "traitor" Rice. Hes a CB who's expansive range of passing and positioning would translate well to a midfield role.

For the most part I hate seeing players "fill in" but buying a player to convert them is different. And changing a players position is more common than he thought obviously.

[Wycombe Royal]

All this does is go to show how little Ian knows about football. Quite hilarious considering how he is the most vocal and condescending about it.

Completely agree, I don't post on here much any more but I have made a couple recently and he has responded in an arrogant manner claiming to know everything and telling me I'm wrong. I'm giving an opinion, you may not agree, but don't tell me it is wrong.

I think 10 years ago I used to reply to people the same way he does, but I've finally grown up now that I am in my 40's

[biff]

Ilori slated for a move to Fortuna Dusseldorf, with us in line for a 40% cut of the fee. Though judging by his performance vs liverpool + the Sporting fans reaction to the news, it wont be much....

[Hendo]

Ilori slated for a move to Fortuna Dusseldorf, with us in line for a 40% cut of the fee. Though judging by his performance vs liverpool + the Sporting fans reaction to the news, it wont be much....

Even if its a mil, 400k is still not a bad figure, especially when you add in that we received around £2m for him.

[Snowflake Royal]

Would have loved him back, but we've got Morrison now. So no longer an issue.

Unless I'm misremembering he is a decent DM? Could still fill that role if it weren't for the cost issues I mentioned.

Say no to players 'who can play' x. Specialists please. Midfielders in midfield, defenders in defence.

This is what I originally said that sparked off this flid fest.

Sol Campbell, Dion Dublin, Graeme Murty, Jordan Obita etc etc are shit examples. Because they originally played one position and then converted to another position.

By all means, if one thinks a player is better in a different position, convert them and use them there. They are then a specialist in that position.

By all means have the odd back up utility player as third or 4th choice. Although they are increasingly redundant with spiralling squad size and sub numbers.

What is not ok, with me, is taking a specialist in one position, who you are not converting to be a specialist in another position, and using them to cover the deficiencies in your squad's lack of specialists in that other area.

It's something we have done time and again and it rarely works.

So for example, Big Hec. Sign him to play centreback. Or sign him to convert him to DM and intend to exclusively play him there. Don't sign him to be 1st or second choice
in midfield because he is a defender who can play there a bit.

[The Enfield Royal71]

The only flid here is you m9. Just admit you were wrong and we will be done with it.

Just like the time you thought Daniel Carrico was in our best ever 11, you are way off the mark here.

You also have massively contradicted yourself saying they are all shit examples because they changed position and then saying buy a player who plays 1 position and converting them to another is fine......

"Sol Campbell, Dion Dublin, Graeme Murty, Jordan Obita etc etc are shit examples. Because they originally played one position and then converted to another position.

By all means, if one thinks a player is better in a different position, convert them and use them there. They are then a specialist in that position"