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The Playmaker

Let me straightaway nail my colours to the mask, I am what best could be described as old-fashioned romantic when it comes to watching the modern Premiership. I hanker for the days when the game was played at a slower less frenetic pace, when players had more time on the ball and the midfield schemer (as they were referred to in those days) had time on the ball so they could demonstrate their full range of passing to their appreciative fans.

The game could be absorbed in those days more through the naked eye because the pace was so different. In some ways we need the modern forensic

technology to really appreciate some of the moves and passes that go on. Now where is this all leading you may ask? Well, we all know the Premiership thrives on the cut and thrust, high tempo and pacey exploits that all the players personify and, as a result, my question arises do we really appreciate the modernplaymaker? We all know strikers earn their money in relative terms because they provide the end product, the icing on the cake, the coup de grace, the virtuoso performance, but for this scribe, the playmaker is the player I invariable go to see. Where would all the great strikers be without the playmaker?

When I was younger, I used to savour seeing Johnny Haynes orchestrate the Fulham football team with his imperious passing skills, the like of which I have never seen surpassed. He not only had telepathic powers in terms of being able to see what movement was occurring on his blind side, but also invariably managed to hit the necessary reverse pass to find the player. Johnny Haynes was the life blood of the team, the midfield general. His sublime range of passes with the vision and skill to thread a ball through the eye of a needle to create the striker/forward/ or full back, yes the full backs got forward even in those days, when a goal scoring opportunity was legion.

The question arises does the game still possess the players with the capabilities of playing the true playmaker role or does the need to close down with the combative qualities that goes with it take precedence over the skilfulplaymaker? Well, in my opinion, the game has still got these gifted masters, but they need to demonstrate they can also do the hard graft as well, whereas I’d have to admit the old playmakers didn’t really have to win the ball they were just given it to distribute. Of course, when I was growing up, we had Glen Hoddle who was a wonderful passer. Like Johnny Haynes, he could pass with either foot, with the inside or outside as well and had the x-ray vision to open up defences with a blink of an eye. He wasn’t a great tackler or great one for tracking back. The modern midfielder can’t be afforded such luxuries – the game has moved on. So who are the great modern passers? My own particular favourite is Xavier Alonso. He has the passing ability of some of those old masters. He has the range and variety in his passing to still open up the modern defences. I hope Liverpool resist the temptation to play Mascherano , the more combative option, because the game is well served by the imperious passing ability of Alonso. Deco, Lampard and Fabregas are very fine passers of a football, they too have the vision to pick the right option. Huddlestone, the out of favour Tottenham midfielder, is also a gifted passer. It is just a shame his fitness and other all-round aspects of his game are found wanting at the moment – let’s hope his time will come. Carrick and Scholes are Man Utd’s passing exponents. The great attributes these passers have in their locker and what separates them from the run of the mill midfield players is their ability to play the right weighted pass, which is a extremely difficult skill in itself. This is all about instinct and natural ability – a priceless commodity in a playmaker.

I cannot finish without mentioning Mr Beckham; I know it is very difficult for supporters to be objective about David Beckham footballing skills. It seems you either hate him or love him but surely they can be no argument about his ability not only to strike a football, but to pass it. And perhaps it’s a good controversial note to finish on. So the next time you watch a football match whether it be in a park game or Premiership match, pick out the playmaker – a very underestimated integral part of any team.

Comments

Good read mate.

The game as changed a lot, but there still are players around, but many are not in the top flights which would suggest they are not that good, but I think there is some great football played outside of the Premier.

Swansea and Burnley play excellent passing stuff. Bodde for Swansea and Alexander for the Clarets sit in the holding position and create most of the attacks as well as scoring a lot of goals themselves. Alexander at Burnley is 37 and played 60 plus games last season and only missed 20 minutes in total which would suggest he is capable of playing a few games this season in the Premier and maybe you will get to see him in action more often.

Just to add. Any chance I could use some of your articles on our site? I will link back for you. They will go in a section called 'Have Your Say' which is a dedicated area for fans to have a rant or give their opinions or even ask questions like this one as long as it is football related.

Please let me know, thanks.

(Posted on 2009-07-23 20:49:00 by andy)