Comments on: 120 Fahrenheit: The Thing About Numbers http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/ The Independent FC Dallas News Source Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:09:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Victor Sorribes http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-32575 Victor Sorribes Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:09:31 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-32575 Cool article! Some comments: When numbers started being used, the dominant tactic of the day was the 2-3-5. (yes, that's 2 def, 3 mids and 5 att). 1=keeper 2/3= R/L FULL back 4= R Half Back (4 is NOT lefty, never was) 5= Center Half 6= L Half Back (hence Brazilian wing-back) 7= Right Wing 8= Inside Right 9= Center Forward 10= Inside Left 11= Left Wing When tactics evolved, you can see how the numbers transitioned: 2 and 3 became the side backs (because the 5 was pulled back) but we still call that position Full Back (although they defend less than the central defender - or half-back). 5, then 4 or 6 were pulled down to central defense (first one, in a 3-2-5 tactic, then two in a 4-2-4), so 5 was always a central defender, and 4 or 6 is the other defender (in Britain 5,6, in Europe 4,5). However, in Argentina, 4 and 6 are the DC, and 5 is a "true" half back (what we today call holding midfielder), and in Brazil the 6 moved wide left for a wingback role. 7 and 11 were so iconic and recognizable as wingers, that they stayed as R/L Mid. 8 remained in the middle, but is pretty unspecific, as tactics evolved more and more. 9 remained the goal scorer, and 10 is still the man! Cheers! Cool article!

Some comments: When numbers started being used, the dominant tactic of the day was the 2-3-5. (yes, that’s 2 def, 3 mids and 5 att).
1=keeper
2/3= R/L FULL back
4= R Half Back (4 is NOT lefty, never was)
5= Center Half
6= L Half Back (hence Brazilian wing-back)
7= Right Wing
8= Inside Right
9= Center Forward
10= Inside Left
11= Left Wing

When tactics evolved, you can see how the numbers transitioned:
2 and 3 became the side backs (because the 5 was pulled back) but we still call that position Full Back (although they defend less than the central defender – or half-back).
5, then 4 or 6 were pulled down to central defense (first one, in a 3-2-5 tactic, then two in a 4-2-4), so 5 was always a central defender, and 4 or 6 is the other defender (in Britain 5,6, in Europe 4,5). However, in Argentina, 4 and 6 are the DC, and 5 is a “true” half back (what we today call holding midfielder), and in Brazil the 6 moved wide left for a wingback role.
7 and 11 were so iconic and recognizable as wingers, that they stayed as R/L Mid.
8 remained in the middle, but is pretty unspecific, as tactics evolved more and more.
9 remained the goal scorer, and 10 is still the man!

Cheers!

]]> By: Suprah http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-31986 Suprah Sat, 26 Jun 2010 05:30:28 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-31986 Excellent article :) That said, I just wanted to mention a certain something about Manchester United's no.7s. The longest held no.7 in United's history was in fact Bryan Robson throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. And he was a tough-as-nails midfielder. Imagine combining Steven Gerrard and Gennaro Gattuso....times TEN! That was Bryan Robson :) Excellent article :)

That said, I just wanted to mention a certain something about Manchester United’s no.7s. The longest held no.7 in United’s history was in fact Bryan Robson throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

And he was a tough-as-nails midfielder. Imagine combining Steven Gerrard and Gennaro Gattuso….times TEN! That was Bryan Robson :)

]]> By: twotone http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15563 twotone Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:58:06 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15563 Andrea Pirlo wears #21 for AC Milan for some reason. CIenfuegos & Valderrama wore #10 much better than any of those guys on the MLS list... i wonder why Cesc Fabregas wears #4. Andrea Pirlo wears #21 for AC Milan for some reason.

CIenfuegos & Valderrama wore #10 much better than any of those guys on the MLS list…

i wonder why Cesc Fabregas wears #4.

]]> By: 3rd Degree » Archive » Number Changes http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15546 3rd Degree » Archive » Number Changes Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:20:19 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15546 [...] If you feel about number like I do, then you’ll be happy to hear the number changes for this season.  I’m most excited about Dario Sala going to #1.  That’s a well deserved number for him.  Drew Moor to #3 I get out of the position he plays, but I was down with him as #14 because of the Dallas history of the number. [...] [...] If you feel about number like I do, then you’ll be happy to hear the number changes for this season.  I’m most excited about Dario Sala going to #1.  That’s a well deserved number for him.  Drew Moor to #3 I get out of the position he plays, but I was down with him as #14 because of the Dallas history of the number. [...]

]]> By: C. Smith http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15399 C. Smith Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:27:31 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15399 Nice article, Buzz. How about Roy Lassiter #15 Nice article, Buzz. How about Roy Lassiter #15

]]> By: J http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15274 J Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:28:16 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15274 fantastic piece. an instant bookmark. the only thing i thought i'd add is that Guevara instantly popped into my head when it came to the #20. fantastic piece. an instant bookmark. the only thing i thought i’d add is that Guevara instantly popped into my head when it came to the #20.

]]> By: Leon A http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15193 Leon A Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:51:29 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15193 How can we not include mr. Libero, ultimate sweeper, #5 at his best, Franz Beckenbauer. Nice job with the right up. How can we not include mr. Libero, ultimate sweeper, #5 at his best, Franz Beckenbauer.

Nice job with the right up.

]]> By: Markolio http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15187 Markolio Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:32:57 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15187 Great stuff, Buzz. Thanks for putting this together! Great stuff, Buzz. Thanks for putting this together!

]]> By: Markolio http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15186 Markolio Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:30:16 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15186 Don't forget one of the best MLS #10s - Marco Etcheverry Don’t forget one of the best MLS #10s – Marco Etcheverry

]]> By: kenny http://www.3rddegree.net/2009/01/03/120-fahrenheit-the-thing-about-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-15183 kenny Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:09:59 +0000 http://www.3rddegree.net/?p=3093#comment-15183 I understand the traditions but todays players could not care less about #'s, that's for fans only. I understand the traditions but todays players could not care less about #’s, that’s for fans only.

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