M'Mullan's ideas
Ivan Sharpe | 09/01/1929

The triangle game is undoubtedly the prettiest form of attack, especially when it is practiced by one of the wingers with the help of the half-back who supports him. Well, nothing is as easy as participating in this triangle game. James McMullan, the famous Manchester City international, won all the admiration of the United Kingdom after the great England-Scotland match (McMullan played for Scotland) played at Wembley. Well, the brilliant passing game of the Scots would not have been possible without the triangle tactic, with the participation of the half-backs. Ask McMullan how he does it. He will answer:


Any young boy can become familiar with triangle play, on one essential condition: that is to acquire good control over the ball.

The wing half-back must above all monitor the opponent's insider. When he attacks, he follows at a certain distance the wing of his team which is on his side. As a left half-back, I always have a place in my team at an equal distance from my inside forward and my winger. It goes without saying that I get on well with them on the tactics to follow.


I add to this that the agreement with his partners, of which McMullan speaks, is none other than this: the two forwards in front of him are ready at any time to pass back to McMullan, and leave immediately for stand out. Therefore, McMullan already knows what he has to do with the ball. Moreover, the forward, more often than not, will “request” the ball.

It was this triangle tactic that was the main charm of the England-Scotland match last season. Everyone then agreed to say that we had never seen anything so beautiful. Left-half M'Mullan behind Morton, of Glasgow Rangers, and James, of Preston North End, were working wonders with the triangle pass. Gibson, of Astor Villa, half right, did the same behind Jackson, of Huddersfield Town and Dunn, of Edinburgh Hibernians and Everton present. The English literally did not touch the ball.

But how the newspapers praised the victors! Wonderful! Miraculous! Never seen anything so beautiful!