Defenders playing as Forwards

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

We've seen it plenty of times in the past, defenders coming on & playing upfront when a forward went off injured in the times when only one substitute was allowed.

We've even seen defenders turned into forwards & vice versa in the past on a permanent basis.

Notts have used Cundy this season as a forward because of his height up front. Stuart Maynard thinks this tactic may be of use to Notts in certain situations.

Notts have quite a lot of tall defenders that Stuart can choose from now that players like McDonald & Ness are fit to play.

What do members think of the idea of putting a Notts defender up front if the circumstances dictate. Do you think it a good tactic that should be explored fully?

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

@Robbie

Big Center Half's coming up for Corners and Free Kicks as always been a thing in Football's Past and in some cases it's worked while in others it hasn't.  I always remember Big Jack Charlton when he played for either in Leeds or England, when either got a Corner Big Jack would walk up stand on the Goal Line, his presence was Not only a Goal Threat but also an Intimidation move by his Manager. The Big Men have also been used when a team is looking to score an important equalizer late in a Game. Matty Platt anyone?

It can be a Good Tactic providing of course there is another player covering the Big Guy's absence at the back in case of a quick counter attack by the opposition while the Tall Center Half is still Up Field. Speaking of Defenders turning into Strikers, Didn't Lee Hughes start off as a Defender? Then scored a Hattrick in one game and Never Looked Back?

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

@Wheelbarrow repair man I checked on Google & Lee Hughes was never a defender originally, but of course as an attacker he would have had defensive duties to perform. I remember him doing that for Notts on occasions.

As we all know, Dave Watson was a centre forward who became a defender full time..

I believe Stuart will continue to use one of the defenders off the bench, like Cundy, during the last 15 minutes of the game, if a forward has to come off, & there is no one else available off the bench.

I think that defenders can have a role to play as a forward if they are tall & are good with the head, especially in the last 15 minutes or so of a game, when opposition defenders are tired.

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

@Robbie

I will bow to your and Googles knowledge regarding Lee Hughes. But I can't help but think I read somewhere Lee Hughes Did start off as a Defender, maybe in his Youth Team Days? Then after his Goal scoring prowess he was switched to the Striker Role for which he is Better Known. Then again I might have got it all round my Neck, the Old Grey Matter isn't as Sharp as it Used To Be.

[DangerousSausage]

Players change positions early on in their careers, it's probably quite a common thing. Throwing on defenders up front to win headers, on the other hand, often smacks of desperation and I can't remember it ever having the desired effect. And Jimmy Glass doesn't count because he was a goalkeeper!

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

@Wheelbarrow repair man

Hughes may have played as a defender as a junior. Most youngsters play in different positions until they find the position that suits them best.

I think if a team could have a player that can play as a centre forward one week & then play centre half another, depending on the circumstances, would be utopia for a club.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Well, I believe Dion Dublin, who was a prolific striker for Coventry, also played as a centre back - I believe he ended up playing at Norwich City as a defender. The issue I have with Robbie Cundy playing as a striker, is it shows how we should have hung onto four options or at the very least have a young striker who could have gained some valuable experience.

Jürgen Klopp also made the change, I thought I recalled John Terry having done it, but it seems he was a midfielder.

I have no issue if there's effort, Cundy did try, but I mean we have two strikers since Cedwyn Scott is being played as a midfielder. Remember Harry Kewell thinking he could make players perform out of position, i.e Shaun Brisley.

[liampie]

defenders usually make terrible strikers and visa versa. does anyone remember that callum ball we had on loan? i swear it was mentioned by leigh curtis when we signed him that he had come through the derby academy as a defender.