Converting players…

[threesixty]

I’ve always been impressed by a managers ability to convert players from 1 position to another and solve problems. Joe Linton from striker to midfield general etc..

Who would be a candidate for that in our team?

My shout would be AWB to Central Midfielder. Given that we have KWP who can play RB. 
I just think he has the skill, can time tackles very well (better than anyone on the team) and has pace.
Everything we lack in the midfield.

Who else?
 

[Rossal]

AWB in centre midfield.......basically Soucek with more slide tackles.  His biggest limitations are his technical ability on the ball........which is like most of our other midfielders at the moment. 

Turning Hermadsen into the next Eyal Berkovic is our best bet at the moment 

 

Interesting you think AWB is limited technically? I think he’s one of our best on the ball technically, light years ahead of Soucek and JWP etc.. And he’s not slow at all. Strange what some people see…

The main part of him leaving United was him struggling in the final third with his quality of crosses. He also got moved back from RW to RB i guess for his limitations going forward. He doesnt strike me as a good ball striker or a great touch etc. 

I see the thinking I just don't see any attributes to make AWB a central midfield player. If we were going to convert him anywhere it would be as a CB for me. 

[El Scorchio]

I think it's more based on the player's attributes than the manager's quality. It could be argued that a good manager wouldn't have to do that because he'd have what he needs in the right positions already (but of course that relies on good recruitment too which we do not have) It's not on Potter, Lop or Nuno that Paqueta or Bowen can't really play up front for example- they just can't do it. They aren't suited to it. It's a rare player who could probably play almost anywhere on the park and still even be effective- let alone good. Gerrard is a good example, he was just that good that he could have played outfield anywhere and been good. Most players are nowhere near that complete.

Joelinton is interesting. he was being called a flop at first, but I think his success at a different position is more an exception to the rule and a happy accident than something that's easy to do- otherwise it would happen all the time. Mostly when we've tried it, it might work for a game or two but the player sooner or later is exposed as not a natural in that position and you're back to square one. It might be worth trying AWB there, just because we at least won't be massively downgraded at RB if we did. But then is he going to be a better midfielder than the players we have? Sure he will be quicker but it counts for nothing if he can't read the game well or spot passes as a midfielder rather than a right back. Todibo might be a candidate too, but while he has some qualities, i think he'd be far too unfit to do it.

To think of another example where it's worked well though, Phil Neville- also interestingly from full back to CM, but as I said, it's not a straightforward thing and there's a reason it's so rare. Of course Bonzo played Right back, Midfield and Centre Back for us as well.

[threesixty]

AWB in centre midfield.......basically Soucek with more slide tackles.  His biggest limitations are his technical ability on the ball........which is like most of our other midfielders at the moment. 

Turning Hermadsen into the next Eyal Berkovic is our best bet at the moment 

 

 

Interesting you think AWB is limited technically? I think he’s one of our best on the ball technically, light years ahead of Soucek and JWP etc.. And he’s not slow at all. Strange what some people see…

[Rossal]

AWB in centre midfield.......basically Soucek with more slide tackles.  His biggest limitations are his technical ability on the ball........which is like most of our other midfielders at the moment. 

Turning Hermadsen into the next Eyal Berkovic is our best bet at the moment 

[Council Scum]

Ron Greenwood moved Geoff Hurst from midfield to striker, the rest is history.

Dion Dublin from Striker, to Defender to Homes under the hammer is probably the most successful one. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Ron Greenwood moved Geoff Hurst from midfield to striker, the rest is history.

Currently I would move Soucek from midfield to CB at least the bloke can head a ball.