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O'Neill Out Of Position Is Good For Players

Martin O'Neill has re-stated that it does players no harm to be played out of position, in fact he believes it makes them better players.

MON has become notorious for moving players around, like Luke Young (a right-back) at left-back. Carlos Cuellar (a central defender) at right-back. Nigel Hokey Cokey has played at right-back, central midfield attacking and played on the right of midfield as well as playing the holding role. Gareth Barry (a central midfielder) has played on the left and as left-back and then there is Nicky Shorey who has been utilised as left-back in the changing room. Need I go on?

The Villa boss told the official site that a lot of players have had to play out of position this season saying that is just the way things have had to be, explaining:

'All the players are prepared to play out of position. It shouldn't be an unusual thing because I believe the more positions you can play in, the better equipped you are as a footballer. Throughout the game, you're obviously going to get players playing out of position and it is a big help to the team. I think it improves the lads as players too - unquestionably.'

Adding, with a flurry it must be said.... 'You have to adapt to your new position so when you go back to your normal place, you should find it more rewarding.'

Luke Young said the other day, (Left is All-Right for Luke) that he doesn't mind where he plays, as long as he plays. Although he has also admitted to being surprised at being played at left-back instead of his more comfortable right-back position.




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Writer: J P Fear Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Wednesday January 14 2009

Time: 3:03PM

Your Comments

Wenger has this philosophy too. Great manager and guy is MON, I couldn't think of a better man to lose out on the Camps League to, but hopefully we won't of course!
ArsenalRob
Just regained consciousness, got up and sat back on my chair, and I didn't imagine it. A gooner has indeed posted something respectable and complimentary....!
Mancuni-villa
To be fair the guys on Vital Arsenal are by and large very good and honest in their opinions.
The Fear
Quote: "and then there is Nicky Shorey who has been utilised as left-back in the changing room." HAHAHA! nice one.
industrial_musical
To be fair the guys on Vital Arsenal are by and large very good and honest in their opinions. An honest bunch of one eyes double dyed cockney knobs, but we love them anyway :-p
col8
Forget Heskey, let's have Friedel as a big target man up front!
SuperTommyJohnson
I can appreciate and understand where MON is coming from, and there's no doubting that we have had to use players out of position in recent times, and none of them have let us down. However its not ideal, and does in my opinion effect the balance of the team.
glensider
It does also I think indicate that the strength in depth of our squad is nowhere near where it realistically needs to be. We all know that of course, and no one knows it better than MON.
glensider
 

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