ON THE ROLE OF THE CENTRE-HALF IN ENGLISH TEAMS
Lucien Gamblin | 09/06/1932

During matches played in Paris in May by the major British professional teams Manchester City, Motherwell, and Newcastle United, the way the centre-halves operate was not lost on the public eye (and consequently on the debate).

Since Arsenal first came to Colombes two years ago, it was generally believed in France, and even on the continent, that this team alone had adopted the very pronounced W-formation for its forward line, with the centre-half positioned far back, almost on the back line. And, quite naturally, it was concluded that this particular method was motivated by the exceptional skill of the prestigious Alex James, who is unrivaled in the role of distributor of play.

"Since James is enough to supply the line," we said, "it is only natural that Roberts, while understudying the skillful and shrewd Alex, should provide valuable support to his defenders."

This was a mistake. The three teams that played in Colombes and Saint-Ouen against Racing Club de France and Red Star Olympique amply demonstrated this. But it is no less obvious that there are resolute opponents on the continent of the British method, which was invented not by Arsenal, but by the Scots.

Mr. Hunter, manager of Motherwell, whose personality is an authority on technique matters across the Channel, recently told us: "Chapman only imitated us. Six years ago in Scotland, we required our teams to use the W formation up front, with the centre-half deep; it worked very well for us, and I don't think we'll change that method. Do as we do! With the current rules of the game, this is the right method."

We remained perplexed and not entirely convinced. And yet, this very season, we have seen Roberts of Arsenal, Gee of Everton, Craig of Motherwell, Cowan and Baran of Manchester City and Davidson of Newcastle United, who played excellent games and rendered great service to their teams, operating deep. Having pointed out that the above-mentioned players possess, in addition to high technical merit, the undeniable athletic qualities necessary for passing to their wingers at a distance of 50 meters and remarkable activity, we believe above all that the deep positioning of the centre-half is mainly a question of inside forwards.

With classy, even high-class, inside forwards, it is certain that the centre--half can very well avoid remaining glued to his attacking line, provided, however, that these inside forwards are highly mobile and possess a lot of breath. Otherwise, the gap that exists in the center of the team will allow opponents to prepare dangerous attacks with complete peace of mind.

As proof of this statement, we can cite two striking examples:

1st: In the FA Cup final, as long as David Jack and Bastin were busy playing the role usually played by Alex James, Arsenal dominated Newcastle. Then, when the inside forwards, no doubt tired, dropped their foot and Roberts did not come close, Davidson, Newcastle's centre-half, instead of marking Lambert (Arsenal's centre-forward) by positioning himself in front of him, went past the Arsenal attacking pivot and found the open field to prepare his team's attack. He himself launched Boyd and Lang with great regularity and he seriously supported Allen's actions.

From that moment on, Newcastle dominated for a long time and the victory went to them.

2nd: Leslie, the new Red Star Olympique centre--half, trained by the Scotsman MacFarlane, did not fail, during his first match in Paris, to position himself deep. However, without sufficient support from his inside forwards playing deep and actively, he seemed to be playing as a third defender. So much so that the crowd was shouting at him to move forward.

In our opinion, while the method discussed in this article has many advantages, to apply it, a team must have a vigorous, accurate, and mobile centre-half, and, above all, two classy inside forwards in impeccable condition. However, even if we look hard enough, we cannot find a centre-half among the French footballers who would be suited to the game played by the British "aces". And we declare ourselves incapable of identifying two French inside forwards who would play the role played by Alex James at Arsenal, Stevenson at Motherwell or Richardson at Newcastle.