Can a fullback play equally good at right or left?

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No, they might be reasonably decent on the opposite side but there will be a decent sized gap in almost all cases. Lahm is still considerably better on the right and he changes sides as well as anyone.
 
It's also a question of the partnership with the midfielder or winger in front of the fullback. When Steed Played LM, and Barsley behind him at LB we had poor shape as both players were naturally inclined to cut inside. Rico as a natural left footer was a much better compliment - Steed cutting inside drew players, and created space for Kieran to go outside.
 
I'm left footed but found playing right back easier than left. Although I was quite comfortable with my right foot whenever needed.
As above I can't understand someone who trains just about everyday and can't use their weaker foot, it gives you so much more to your game.
 
joemcdokes said:
I'm left footed but found playing right back easier than left. Although I was quite comfortable with my right foot whenever needed.
As above I can't understand someone who trains just about everyday and can't use their weaker foot, it gives you so much more to your game.
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Sounds like we need to get you signed up?

On a slightly more serious note, I'm guessing that at the top level, i.e. Premier League, positions are specialised to such a degree that being a native left back, doesn't necessarily mean you can turn out at right back without any detriment to your performance. I'm pretty sure that in the past previous players might have operated in both positions, however, I'm not sure it's a viable option today.
 
codfather said:
A little debate going on here to whether a good fullback can play equally well on either side. For me a good full back can adapt and play right or left hand side of the pitch. OK they may favour their stronger foot but they can adapt and use their positional skills to perform to a good standard. For e.g. A few recent names who have done it are:


Irwin
Monreal
P.Nev
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A really good player can play most positions reasonably well. However, RB and LB are very different. All the angles change and handling the opposing winger is very different. Even the best are usually much weaker on one side.
 
codfather said:
A little debate going on here to whether a good fullback can play equally well on either side. For me a good full back can adapt and play right or left hand side of the pitch. OK they may favour their stronger foot but they can adapt and use their positional skills to perform to a good standard. For e.g. A few recent names who have done it are:

Irwin
Monreal
P.Nev
Click to expand...
Still think a professional footballer should be comfortable playing with both feet. So yes.
 
MilanoMackem said:
No, they might be reasonably decent on the opposite side but there will be a decent sized gap in almost all cases. Lahm is still considerably better on the right and he changes sides as well as anyone.
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It could be that everyone is slightly better at one side and some are so good that their slightly worse is still much better than most brilliant.

Except how would you explain Phil neville who genuinely was the same class on both sides
 
What hasn't been mentioned is that it depends on what you are up against.

A right footed right winger is likely to want to go outside to reach the byline and so a right footed left back has to make the tackle with his weaker left foot.

Nowadays though wingers seem to play on the wrong side as much as they play on their natural side and most spend more time cutting inside rather than going outside. In this case a right footed left back can be a good thing.

The other thing to consider is when your fullback attacks, it might be quite useful to have right footed left back if you have a left footed winger or vica versa
 
He could do the job defensively but you would lose any attaching ability down the left.

I remember times when Bardsley was playing LB, we had no left winger and we basically attacked with only one wing and the opposition was able to double up on the right and close us down.
 
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