Comments on: A tedious tactical review of 2012 (Part I) – Honing the inside forward

By: Honing the Inside Forward - ITSAGOAL

Honing the Inside Forward - ITSAGOAL — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:35:54 +0000

[...] article was originally written for Backpage Football by IAG manager jim82. Used with the authors’ [...]

By: James

James — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 23:31:42 +0000

I’m glad you were astounded by the article.

The purpose of the article was to show that inside forwards still exist in some way, as the title of the article indicates with the use of the word honing. Not to dissimilar to your use of evolution.

Messi has evolved into something of a special case, but when there are other forwards on the pitch, or if they play Fabregas as the false nine, he roams both deep and in the channels.

People like to talk about the vertical lines as well as the horizontal ones on the pitch, and if there’s a channel in either line to get into, Messi will be in it.

False nine is too limited a role when defining him, as maybe is inside forward. But i don’t think he’s ever been just a winger, or just a centre forward.

By: Giacomo Fracassi

Giacomo Fracassi — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:20:49 +0000

I always thought Robben was a winger, but not for a 4 midfield line, rather for a 3 up-front and/or a trio of supporting attacking midfielder, like he plays at Bayern. I think that’s one reason he and Ribery don’t play always together, as they are similar (although the Frenchman is even more a no-nonsense winger) and don’t provide the team a big variety of attacking play.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 06:45:04 +0000

Actually, the difference between a winger and an inside forward is not a large one at all and ultimately, it depends on the player’s characteristics and manager’s plans that determines their position. Inevitably, winger or inside forward traits will be seen throughout the match. There is no point in classifying them especially when they are playing as you said…. In a FREE role.
What astounds me is your classification of messi as an inside right. He might have started off as a winger but he is obviously a False 9 now, which is a essentially a center forward.
In the end, what is the purpose of this article, to highlight a position long gone? Maybe by changing your perspective you will realize that it has evolved, rather than disappeared.

By: Myles

Myles — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:24:14 +0000

Good piece, not tedious at all! Agree with your points on Messi and Ronaldo but I can’t help but think that Neymar plays best as a centre-forward, not an inside-forward. That being said, he appears to be very versatile and has clearly displayed his ability out wide, but for now I think he needs to stick to playing centrally.

Could almost be a false nine…