I think the German NT is possibly the only NT which fullbacks do not play at the same positions for their clubs Now, I pressume Loew may wanna play J.Boateng at RB and Lahm at LB. But Lahm is playing better n better on the right, and i can't really remember when was the last time he played at LB; Jerome Boateng is a CB. Period! At RB, all the backups like Arne Friedrich and Christian Traesch do not play at RB as well! Arne plays at CB most of the time while Traesch is a DM nowadays. The funny thing is, similar things apply to the LBs. As i've mentioned, Lahm has not played LB in months n i think positioning will only be developed when a player play consistently at one position. It took him a while to pick up his game at RB if i remember correctly; Marcell Jansen is never a good leftback, his defense is piss poor and its pretty obvious that his natural position is at LM; Badstuber is a CB imo, and his case will be very similar to Boateng's Ironically, the two fullbacks who are chosen by Loew to play at their natural positions (i.e.Aogo and Beck), do not have very good chances of making the final roster I think Lahm should play at the rightback Come on, its common sense. Instead of having two players playing out of position (J.Boateng at RB+Lahm at LB), half of the problems will be solved by playing Lahm on the right. Who will be our LB in the World Cup is a big question mark to me. And i think Aogo is probably slightly ahead of Badstuber since he plays there consistently throughout the season I think, if thats the case, the four players Loew will drop are: Badstuber, Beck, Trochowski and Cacau. Believe it or not
I believe lahm will play Lb unless westermann play there. Jansen and badstuber are too weak both sides id rather aogo
Defender line up: Look at the different options and you will see how comfortable you will feel which line up. I go with A. A Friedrich --------Merte---------Badstuber--------Lahm (Tasci, Westermann,Boateng) B Lahm---------Merte---------Boateng --------Badstuber (Tasci, Westermann, Friedrich) C Lahm---------Merte---------Westermann--------Badstuber (Tasci, Boateng, Friedrich) D Lahm---------Merte---------Tasci--------Jansen (Boateng, Westermann, Friedrich, badstuber) E Boateng-----Merte……..Badstuber…….LAHM F Boateng----Merte----------Westermann----Lahm G Friedrich --------Merte---------Westermann------Lahm
I've said it before, I really think Westermann would be a good option at FB, left or right, depending where Lahm is played. He is not the link up player or attacking threat Lahm is but his stamina and work rate should ensure defensive reliability.
Not trying to be a smartass or anything, but why do people insist on putting Friedriich as a right back. He has failed miserably before in that position and will continue to do so. He has not enough pace or practice in that position to perform well. Id rather have him as a CB. I would rather put Lahm to the right just because he feels more comfortable there and is finally showing at Bayern that he has taken the position. I also get the impression that on the right he is defensively far more solid than on the left. On the other hand there are also his inside cutting runs wich he cant do on the right side.
I agree Boss. Sometimes you can also see Lahm change to the left to cut in. I would prefer him on the right side too.
I see it completely the other way (in regard to the opening post). Lahm is much better at LB. He loses pretty much all of his offense on the right side. Plus, you can't use the "has not played there" argument with Lahm and then turn it around for Boateng. Boateng has played at least half his games at RB this season. He played exclusively RB or LB the two seasons before, so to say that he's playing out of position is a bit of a stretch. Then you have Aogo as a natural LB even though he is a natural defensive midfielder. Jansen, on the other hand, is indeed a natural LB. He's not nearly as good as he is as LM or even LOM, but it's definately his natural position. Jansen shouldn't be LB, and the way Aogo has played lately, neither should he. Lahm is the best choice. If you look at what is available on the right and on the left, it makes no sense to put Lahm on the right.
I don't know why people keep saying this but Lahm does not lose all his offence on the right side. Truth be told, his crossing is even more dangerous from that wing since he can cross on his favoured foot and also he is more defensively solid because he is on his right side. I think Lahm should be used as a right-back in the World Cup and use one of Aogo or Westermann as left-back.
Everyone remembers his brilliance from the gamewinner against Turkey in Euro 08. I'm guessing since this is a National team forum they are less up to date about his performance this year (particularly the second half of the season).
Totally agree. If it weren't for Lahm's crosses Bayern wouldn't be where they are now. Lahm crossing to Ballack = goals.
Squid, Lahm is one of the best crossers among all the fullbacks in the World. Daniel Alves, Maicon n Evra are some of the other few if Pander is healthy, I think our attack will be a lot more dangerous on both flanks. Westermann n Aogo will not provide us with similar result. Badstuber's set-pieces are above average, but he is too slow as a leftback
I'm more worried about how ugly that play will look compared to other options. And if Ballack's still up to it.
When you consider Lahm's position, it comes down to one thing: If you think his crosses are what you need, you put him RB, if you think you'd benefit more if you have him cut inside and shoot then put him LB. Personally I prefer him at the right side.
Is Fritz's possible return still laughable? (And this is coming from someone who has said that if Fritz travels to South Africa, she's running naked Weserstadions.)