Defenders as Strikers

[Fairport]

I remember Steve Ingle was at one time converted to a striker from right back.

 

[They Call It Madness!!!]

Vs Barnet I think

Yes was Barnet.

It's been uploaded to YouTube. Terrible quality.

First goal is a rebound from Choppers free kick that come off the post, the other two are finishes from corners.

 

[gatecrasher]

Tes Bramble played like a centre back up front

 

[Mick]

I remember Steve Ingle was at one time converted to a striker from right back.

No you don't ! He was a striker whose last couple of games were at full-back.

 

[Mick]

I seem to remember Tony Bentley played a few games up front for us.

Like when he joined us as a right-winger.

 

[blues exile]

Like when he joined us as a right-winger.

Started as right winger then right half and finally right back.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

And he cemented his position in the side after that.

I must go and have a look for that street later on today...

Come back when you have concrete evidence. Have a trowel through the archives

 

[Fiftyone]

Like when he joined us as a right-winger.

No, I seem to remember he played a few games at centre forward instead of right back where he normally played at that time.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

I swear some of you only watch the ball when watching football

GSM wouldn't score 17 goals playing up front.

The team is set up to create these chances for him, the other 10 players are doing their job.

I've seen so many stupid comments like "**** sake Kev, play him up top" or "Goes to show how **** out strikers are"

It might be a rogue theory, but I believe that the traditional striker role is gone. Goals now come from all over the pitch and having a striker that can lead the line and bring others in to play is way more beneficial than a striker who's only job is to score.

This is why I've never understood half of the criticism towards Bonne and Hopper you're clearly not watching what they do off the ball to allow players like GSM to be so effective.

Obviously is GSM is the best around at RWB, but we are more than just Gus ...

Sorry for the rant, it just bugs me a little bit

 

[They Call It Madness!!!]

I swear some of you only watch the ball when watching football

GSM wouldn't score 17 goals playing up front.

The team is set up to create these chances for him, the other 10 players are doing their job.

I've seen so many stupid comments like "**** sake Kev, play him up top" or "Goes to show how **** out strikers are"

It might be a rogue theory, but I believe that the traditional striker role is gone. Goals now come from all over the pitch and having a striker that can lead the line and bring others in to play is way more beneficial than a striker who's only job is to score.

This is why I've never understood half of the criticism towards Bonne and Hopper you're clearly not watching what they do off the ball to allow players like GSM to be so effective.

Obviously is GSM is the best around at RWB, but we are more than just Gus ...

Sorry for the rant, it just bugs me a little bit

I think you're on the wrong thread.

The question was can you remember any defenders having to do a job up front.

 

[Mick]

No, I seem to remember he played a few games at centre forward instead of right back where he normally played at that time.

I really don't think so. He had a short spell back at right wing at the start of 69/70? but I doubt he ever wore a shirt number higher than 7. (Actually that's not true, he wore 12 once.)

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

Tony Hadley

True !

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

I don't remember that!

Bilel was the obvious one that sprang to mind for me, though I think there were a few loanees over recent times that were also pressed into forward line duties due to a lack of fit strikers.

It was during the second half of the 76/77 season - you were watching back then (tho probably too smitten watching the Parker's to take notice!). We had a bit pf a striker shortage at the time whereas there was enough cover at the back with Alan Moody, Dave Young and Neil Townsend being the regular centre backs so Smiffy gave Tony either the no. 8 or 10 shirt for a dozen games to partner Derrick Parker. He got three goals in that spell and I recall him being quite good, adding a bit of height up front. It was tried again the following season for a bit with Tony wearing the number 11 - I never thought Smiffy really knew what to do with Tony and from the banter at our Smithy's Tribute night a couple of years back (time flies) that was certainly Tony's view too.

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

No, I seem to remember he played a few games at centre forward instead of right back where he normally played at that time.

@Fiftyone @Mick

Tony Bentley joined us in May 1961 starting the 61/62 season wearing the No.7, then for all but one match in the '62 part of that season he played with the No. 4 on his back.

1962/63 he was ever present playing as a No. 4 apart from on three occasions when he wore the No. 2.

1963/64 again he wore No. 4 missing just one match.

1964/65 he played the vast majority of matches all at No. 4.

1965/66 again ever present he played the vast majority of matches wearing the No. 2, a few No. 4's and one No. 3.

1966/67 ever present in the league he wore No. 2 a part from the last five games when he wore No. 4.

1967/68 he played 33 times in the league all with a No. 2 on his back.

1968/69 he wore No. 2 for the vast majority with 9 matches as a No. 4.

1969/70 he only plays in the first 7 league games, five wearing the No. 7 and two the No. 2.

1970/71 in the opening match of the season he wore the No. 10 and wore it 3 further times that season (two in cup matches). He made a total of 28 league appearance during this season wearing No.'s 2, 4, 6 and No. 12 (he wore the No. 12 shirt a total of just two times during his Southend days).

Tony Bentley moved on to Folkstone Town in July 1971.

I really must get out more...