The Importance of Full-Backs

I had the pleasure of watching the dampest of squibs at the Stadium of Light last week, as Pulis' anti-football earned them a 0-0 draw. As soon as the teams were announced it looked as if it would be a dull game, for a few reasons, but one stood out to me.

None of the full-backs were playing in the right place.

Anthony Reveillere was playing on the left, which forced him to come inside onto his favoured right foot, clogging up the midfield. Santiago Vergini's lack of attacking attributes were exposed at right-back. Chris Brunt played at left-back for West Brom, which was the most attacking choice, but Craig Dawson played right back for the Baggies.

The lack of chances and subsequently goals had a lot to do with this, as both teams clogged the middle and never had enough players going forward to really do anything, proving just how important full-backs are to the modern game, offensively. Defensively, they are important, as Dawson provided valuable cover of the defence which helped West Brom's defensive solidity which maybe an out-and-out full back might not have done.

In the last 10-15 years the role has evolved from one of the least to one of the most important roles in football. Your choice of fullback has a large effect on how you play the game and often are an embodiment of the style of the team. Barcelona have attacking, technically gifted full-backs which allow them to control games and create overloads, whereas Chelsea have Ivanovic, who is physical and primarily defensive, but often scores scrappy, important goals. Chelsea's defensive full-backs means they tend to and are set-up to be solid at the back first, whereas Barca attack first and foremost.

It seems counter-intuitive to suggest that if you want to become a better attacking team you should start with your defence, but attack minded full-backs can turn an good team into a great one. Leighton Baines for years has provided goals and assists from left-back which have allowed the side to be more compact and defensive in midfield. In fact, without Baines and Coleman last year, it could be argued that Everton would be near where they are this season.

All that being said, there are cases when full-backs don't seem to matter that much. Germany's World Cup winning side played, essentially, with four central defenders. As you would expect they were generally very defensively solid, bar the odd game, but they managed to decimate Brazil in the semi-finals. By playing four central defenders, they could invite pressure and counter attack at pace - however, they rarely needed to, but this was more down to Brazil's capitulation. One of Germany's most important players, Philipp Lahm, is a right-back who did spend some time there, but mostly played in the centre of the park.

If full-backs are so important, then why are they generally so cheap? The importance of them as not only a defensive player but as an important attacking outlet has only recently been truly realised (at least in England) and teams have started to recognise the inefficiencies in the market. However, this summer saw Luke Shaw move to Manchester United for a reported £30 million, which shows that top clubs are starting to realise the importance that some have seen for a while.

Southampton's rise up the table has been noticed by many, and so have Nathaniel Clyne's performances at right-back. Clyne is a fantastic player and his defensive and importantly attacking qualities have helped Southampton to become a feared team. Having him as an option coming forward makes Southampton capable of dismantling different defensive structures. A good attacking full-back can make a team more flexible and therefore harder to counter, and that is exactly what Clyne but also importantly Ryan Bertrand has done this season.

West Ham's transformation has been largely down to the attacking talent brought in, but the acquisition of Cresswell has turned out to be one of the best buys of the season. His crossing ability and willingness to attack have helped West Ham to stretch teams and he has also directly contributed to quite a few goals this season. Those few goals can add up to a large amount of points.

Strikers and attacking midfielders will always be the most expensive players and the most revered, but it won't be long before full-backs will consistently be going for 8-figure transfer fees and they will be more recognised as one of the most important pieces of a football team, rather than as Sunderland seem to treat them - an after thought.

Written by Elliott Griffiths (@ElliottBCFC)