Who should decide where players play?

[The Great Mass Debater]

Imagine you're the manager. Redmond, Martin and E Bennett all come and see you and tell you they want to play striker, centre-back and right wing, but you feel they are better on the wing and at right back respectively (for example).

What would your philosophy be?

A happy player is a better player, let them be considered for and compete for a place in their preferred position only (ie giving them what they want, regardless of your own thoughts)

Tell them that you dont agree and they will be playing where you feel they play best

A halfway house measure, agree to define them in their new position (ie 'OK, you're now a striker!') but then sell them if you dont htink theyre good enough

 

[Paul Handscombe]

I'm the Manager I live and die by these decisions, I would make the choice.

I would take their wishes in consideration but would be my call.

I think unless they ask to play in a stupid position, like Martin in goal etc, then unless you have a better player for that position I would consider it.

But if someone demanded to play somewhere, I wouldn't care who it was, they wouldn't be in the team.  Players have too much power.

 

[bloodwagon]

They get paid for doing what the manager says.

So tell them they dont like it, look for another club.

(I would try them in the position in training, just to see if it would work ok)

 

[BroadstairsR]

We would seem to have three players at the moment that this dilemna applies to, to a certain extent.

Russel Martin..... most of us want him as full-back yet the Adams-Martin thinking sees it differently. This problem is clearly brought about by the situation regarding Bassong. When that is resolved, either by the unlikely re-habilitation of SB or his sale and replacement then perhaps things will iron ou. Having said that, young Bennett is undoubtedly a very good performer at CB and Martin himself is not quite the mug there that some seem keen to make out.

I would love to see Redmond replicate the form and influence he has demonstarted at representative level, particularly out wide on the right. I had assumed him being used left-side last season was due to Snodgrass's preferences, but now Adam has recently given him a free role in any case. No wonder the kid is confused.

IMO, for this season in the Championship Nathan Redmond would come of age and be devasting if used solely as a conventional right-winger.

Elliot Bennett, the wing-forward, is a nice problem to have. Kyle Naughton anybody? However, he has only fleetingly played there so to cement this potential I would like to see him experimented there in fixtures other than league games and starting at home to Crawley Town.

The only one of these three who might be influential in the manager's decision making, given his status within the Club, is Martin. The other two would likely be willingly compliant with the manager's wishes. 

Managers manage, players play.

(All us keyboard warriors make much better managers than we would have ever made as players.)

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

We all seem to agree Redmond's decision making at present is not good enough. So giving him a free role seems crazy to me. A free-role should be reserved for someone who makes the best decisions. Redmond perhaps needs to have decision making removeed from his responsibilities at present. Give him a clear defined role so he doesnt have to make decisions. Id love him to become Junior Hoillett at his best. But for the time being I think he needs to be Aaron Lennon

 

[yellowarmy]

Managers decission plain and simple

 

[Yellow Fever]

Manager listens, makes his decision, then explains why to player. 

 

[Lake District Canary]

We all seem to agree Redmond's decision making at present is not good enough. So giving him a free role seems crazy to me. A free-role should be reserved for someone who makes the best decisions. Redmond perhaps needs to have decision making removeed from his responsibilities at present. Give him a clear defined role so he doesnt have to make decisions. Id love him to become Junior Hoillett at his best. But for the time being I think he needs to be Aaron Lennon

Think you hit the nail on the head here.  Give the player a framework and tell him to get on with it.  To much freedom can be a bad thing.  If he delivers and builds his confidence he will become more free and expressive quite naturally.   

 

[skijumptoes]

If the player puts in a valid claim I would let them know if the chance arises I would give it a go and assess from there. I would also joke about it in training to see how players react and have a sneaky look myself.

For example if Hooper was having a hard time in training I would joke that Redmond always fancies himself up front and ask them to swap for 10 mins, do it with good banter and wink to hooper and whisper for him to show redderz how to deliver the ball. Everyone feels they're part of the joke then.

Off the field I would also let them know that I value them in their current position and ask why they feel a move would be of benefit, I.e. Is it physical issue (they feel their pace has decreased for example),or if there's an abundance of players in their position and theyre concerned about game time.

For me I would like to treat my players as ever evolving and not be stuck with pre-conceived ideas, we've seen it here with Sutton who was allowed his chance and boy did he flourish, and elsewhere with players like Thierry henry. World beaters!

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

That Bale lad wasnt bad when he moved forward from LB either!

 

[Jimmy smith]

Obviously consider what they say and ask them why they think it'd be a good idea but until they show me that they have the attributes needed (or there's a time in a game to give them a non-risk go like an injury/ sending off, 4-0 up, cup game) then i'd keep playing them in the role I know them best in.

Regarding Martin at CB. I'd rather Bennett there and Martin in for Whitts at RB. I think you need plenty of brawn in your centre backs at this level and Martin is not that guy. Redmond could do with a last chance in the next home game on the wing and then a rest or a game or two from the bench if he does nothing then. Shame Pilks is leaving as i'd like to see him on the left and Benno on the right. Lafferty could be that winger/striker that we have to float between 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 though.

 

[mustard gas]

The manager, by definition, is the one to make the decision. But the way that decision is made is the important part. It's called man management.