Terminology? What's a Number 10? Number 9?

[wjarrettc]

Hi. Could someone please explain the origin of the term "Number 10" in reference to a play-making midfielder.

I'm assuming this comes from some kind of traditional numbering of the players by position. Does this extend beyond Number 10? What a Number 9? etc.

Thanks in advance.

[skipshady]

Originally posted by wjarrettc
I'm assuming this comes from some kind of traditional numbering of the players by position. Does this extend beyond Number 10? What a Number 9? etc.That's correct. Nowadays, uniform numbers are generally meaningless (except for international friendlies and qualifiers - most Euro and South American nations assign 1-11 to starters) but 9 and 10 hold special meaning because they were, and still are star numbers.

In the old days, teams ran 2-3-5, so it looked like this:
------1
----2---3
--4--5--6
7-8-9-10-11

If you take England as an example, right and left fullbacks usually wear 2 and 3 respectively (think Gary Neville and Ashley Cole), and the same for right and left wingers with 7 and 11. 4, 5 and 6 usually go to center backs and defensive midfielders and 8 goes to midfielders or forwards.
The two forwards generally wear 9, the center forward's number, and 10.

In other countries, Italy for example, it's a little different, as the 10 goes to the playmaker or the 'fantajista'. The #10 could be a withdrawn forward that compliments the pure striker or an attacking midfielder that plays behind the two forwards

When American commentators refer to a "#10", they mean the playmaker. But whatever the role, wearing #10 comes with prestige that other numbers don't have - whether it's a forward or midfielder, it usually goes to the most skilled attacking player.
Only #9 comes close in terms of significance, as it almost always goes to the striker.

[Wolves_67]

Even back in the 60's you could almost always tell what position a player played by his number..
You saw a number 11 and you knew he was a winger in most cases..
A little of it has stuck around to now, as a number 2 or 4 is more likely at the back..
A number 14 was always a sub..etc..

[Mr. Bandwagon]

Thanks for the info. (Believe it or not, I was just coming to this board to post the very same question! It must come up occassionally, eh?)

[Lawmill]

1
2-4-5-3
6
7-(11/8)
10
9-(11/??)

There is a great deal of flexibility. Zidane is a playmaker yet wears 5 for Madrid, because Figo already had 10 and Sanchis, the old 5, retired after the previous season.

Raul, Shevchenko, and Beckham all wear 7 despite playing three different positions.

[Mobile]

England don't seem to attach as much importance to it as other sides, for example Michael Owen wears number 10 for England but Alan Shearer used to wear 9 and Paul Gascoigne wore 8.

[Toffees_rule]

Originally posted by Mobile
England don't seem to attach as much importance to it as other sides, for example Michael Owen wears number 10 for England but Alan Shearer used to wear 9 and Paul Gascoigne wore 8.

Eng-who?

[Mobile]

Originally posted by Toffees_rule
Eng-who?

Christ, not a very good advert for the UEA if you haven't heard of England, are you? Has the local Norwich bumpkin mentality addled your brian?

Maybe you'll pay a bit more attention if Wayne Rooney gets a call-up. Or maybe TEAM USA will win 2006 and then we'll all have to acknowledge their dominance :rolleyes:

[skipshady]

Originally posted by Mobile
England don't seem to attach as much importance to it as other sides, for example Michael Owen wears number 10 for England but Alan Shearer used to wear 9 and Paul Gascoigne wore 8. Actually, in the past couple of years, England has always used the following pattern in friendlies and qualifiers, haven't they?
------1----
2--5--6--3
7--4--8--11
---9--10---

[Sailor Moon]

Finally someone asked about what´s the meaning and importance of players numbers.
Of course it has to do with positions but obviosly there´s something special with number 10.
Number 10 is the number of the stars or the prestigious players. They are almost all midfielder.
But is a tradition in football number 10 is the star.

[skipshady]

Originally posted by Sailor Moon
\Number 10 is the number of the stars or the prestigious players. They are almost all midfielder.Well, except for Owen, van Nistelrooy, Del Piero, Rivaldo (for Brazil), Tristan (for Spain), Totti, Bergkamp, Sheringham, Bellamy... :p

[Toffees_rule]

Originally posted by Mobile
Christ, not a very good advert for the UEA if you haven't heard of England, are you? Has the local Norwich bumpkin mentality addled your brian?


I was more commenting on the embarrassment that is England's second game against Macedonia for Euro 2004...2-2...it's Macedonia!

And for the record, I am not an inbred East Anglian local...I only stay for Uni and wear protective gear at most meetings with local folk

[Mobile]

Originally posted by Toffees_rule
I was more commenting on the embarrassment that is England's second game against Macedonia for Euro 2004...2-2...it's Macedonia!

And for the record, I am not an inbred East Anglian local...I only stay for Uni and wear protective gear at most meetings with local folk

Every team has a bad result now and again, it doesn't mean we won't qualify for Euro2004 although it means we may have to beat the Turks twice, not an easy proposition.

Good to hear that you are taking precautions when coming into contact with the carrot-crunchers. If you notice signs of webbing developing between your toes I'd advise seeking medical assistance.

[Toffees_rule]

Originally posted by Mobile
Every team has a bad result now and again, it doesn't mean we won't qualify for Euro2004 although it means we may have to beat the Turks twice, not an easy proposition.


That's why I was curious at how poorly that game went, of course it's easy enough to blame Seaman and Campbell for the goals...and even a harsh red on Smith....

tsk, tsk...we'll see. England will qualify but wow, I was a bit shocked at that poor start...especially the game in the balkans, even if it was a victory...wasn't pretty indeed!

[Mobile]

Originally posted by Toffees_rule
That's why I was curious at how poorly that game went, of course it's easy enough to blame Seaman and Campbell for the goals...and even a harsh red on Smith....

tsk, tsk...we'll see. England will qualify but wow, I was a bit shocked at that poor start...especially the game in the balkans, even if it was a victory...wasn't pretty indeed!

We usually start poorly in qualifying (and in tournaments as well!) which is not meant to be an excuse, more a sort of weary 'seen-it-all-before' observation.

The game in Slovakia (don't think that is in the Balkans unless they've moved it) was certainly not pretty but as one who was there I'd have to say I think the England team showed a lot of character and grit to come back from 1-0 down against a decent side, in filthy conditions, with a hostile, partisan and racist crowd. To fight back and get the win there was vital, it is just a shame we underestimated Macedonia who really did mug us.

But you never know, the Turks still have to visit Slovakia and may well slip up there. At worst we'll get second place and a play-off.

[Toffees_rule]

Originally posted by skipshady
Well, except for Owen, van Nistelrooy, Del Piero, Rivaldo (for Brazil), Tristan (for Spain), Totti, Bergkamp, Sheringham, Bellamy... :p

who's our # 10...is it Reyna? I know Donovan wears #21 but prefers # 10...

[Toffees_rule]

Originally posted by Mobile

But you never know, the Turks still have to visit Slovakia and may well slip up there. At worst we'll get second place and a play-off.

You know the Balkans always move, that's why they're always fighting about who has rights where. :D

Let's see how the Turks handle Macedonia, as you know they're practically considered Greek by the Turks anyway...

[Naco]

Originally posted by Toffees_rule
who's our # 10...is it Reyna? I know Donovan wears #21 but prefers # 10...

I don't recalll in the WC... but in the freindly against Canada, Dononvan was sporting the #10.

Sean

[Frans]

Well, except for Owen, van Nistelrooy, Del Piero, Rivaldo (for Brazil), Tristan (for Spain), Totti, Bergkamp, Sheringham, Bellamy...

#10 is usually reserved for the playmaker, central midfielder, none of the guys above are central mids.

[Toffees_rule]

Originally posted by Frans
#10 is usually reserved for the playmaker, central midfielder, none of the guys above are central mids.

aside from Totti, who plays in the hole (not like that you sick people ;) ) All of the listed players are attackers, strikers or Forwards....

That was the irony of the post in the first place..