Lob & Nod and other specialists

by Dave Clark on Nov 3, 2008 8:01 PM PST

Not just due to the alliteration, and not just because Stoke has 4 wins at home, nor due to the mention of Freddie's Unbeatables, but because of the nature of the blog entry on Rory Delap's ability to throw it long and deep. Seven goals so far for Stoke from this lob and nod technique.

It spurred thoughts in my head concerning various specialists.

There's the pin-point 40 yard passer (I'll just call him David)
There's the back to the net, post up target forward that feeds via short pass flashing mids and wings
There's the penalty kick specialist, who sometimes kind of sucks in run of play
The target forward who scores with his head (Brian)
The marking back, solely playing to neutralize either kind of target forward

How many specialists are needed on a club? Can a club built around a specialist or two really succeed (US MNT, LA Galaxy, Stoke)? What USL Sounders players fit any of these possibly necessary roles?

Lastly, do you have a favorite specialist?

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Rory Delap—throw in specialist
“For some reason defences in the Premier League have struggled more than those in the Championship and Rory now has seven assists to his name. The last-gasp winner against Aston Villa, both goals against Everton, the consolation at Portsmouth, the winner against Sunderland and both goals in this weekends magnificaent victory over Arsenal have all come from Delap’s lethal hands.” (http://www.stokecity-mad.co.uk)

by Zack on Nov 6, 2008 1:48 PM PST reply actions