The Middle Line.
There is no shadow of doubt but that the half-back line is the backbone
of a football team, and probably the centre half catches the eye more
than any other member of the eleven. He ought really to be a general, as
he is in command of both the attack and the defence. For, many reasons
he should be the captain of the side, for he can always encourage either
the defence or the attack. He is like a wicketkeeper in cricket, who
sees more of the game than any other player, and if he be not the
captain, his advice should always be taken into serious consideration. I
have seen so many expert half-backs that I must refrain from dwelling
upon the abilities of individual players. However, taking such great
examples as C. Campbell, of Queen's Park, Glasgow; Johnnie Holt, of
Everton fame; J. Cowan, of Aston Villa, now manager of Queen's Park
Rangers, and many others, their methods practically agree. A half-back
should be able to distribute the ball when it comes his way to the best
advantage, and a long swinging pass from centre or outside right or
left, according to his judgment, has always proved most effective. No
one understood this game more than Cowan, and I am certain others who
know the player and game will testify to this. I prefer a fast man for
this position, if only for the reason that from the kick-off he gets
going invariably before anyone else in the field. His head work ought to
be excellent, and a great deal depends upon him whether the run of play
be in the opponents' hands or otherwise. As a matter of fact, the
distribution of play to the best results is practically left to him. It
is a debatable point regarding the halves whether they should direct
their main efforts against the opposing inside or outside forward. To my
mind, there ought to be an understanding between the back and the half,
but in theory the half-back should tackle the inside forward and leave
the outside man to the back. The best of critics disagree on this point,
and I only give my own personal view from the long experience I have had
in playing the game. Still touching on the wing half, a half-back should
certainly cultivate speed as well as ability, for he must never know
when he is beaten. If a forward outmanoeuvres him, he should instantly
fall back on his own goal, so that when his back tackles the opposition
the half-back should be available to retrieve the position; that is to
say, if the outside left, for instance, beats the right half-back, the
latter should immediately get between the forward and the goal post,
especially when his opponent is known to be a dangerous attacker. It is
understood that a half-back has much more to do in proportion than any
other player in the field, and should always be in the pink of
condition. He has infinitely more running and twisting about to do, and
should be most elastic. Many wing half-backs are rather prone to wander
all over the field, which is a mistake (except in isolated cases).
Probably E. Needham, of Sheffield United, was the most adaptable player
in this respect, although H. Wilson, the Scottish International, ran him
close. The mention of the latter's name brings back to my mind the
period before the law as to throwing in the ball from touch was altered.
Wilson was the expert, and stood alone. When playing for Sunderland it
was nothing unusual for him to throw the ball from the half-way line
right into the goal-mouth. Much may have been lost owing to the
alteration in the law, for the player now must stand with both feet on
the line instead of being able to have a good run ere he parts with the
ball. The half-back should be a good shot, and should cultivate taking
the ball on the run when shooting at goal. More goals would be scored if
the half-backs did not hesitate but shot straight at the goal. "The man
who hesitates is lost," says a well-known proverb, and its truth is
shown in half-back shooting as in any other way. Why more goals do not
come from the half-back line is a mystery to me, but upon reflection I
think it is because they do not act on the spur of the moment. Still,
this is a failing in the forward line as well as in the half-back
division, and it is hardly fair to criticise them severely. In summary,
my ideal half-back would be quite as proficient in defence as in attack,
and to secure this result he will be wise to constantly develop the
latter department, for it is especially true of football that attack is
the best defence. This may seem a tall order, but a half-back should be
both a forward and a half-back combined. Half-backs should certainly
receive a great deal of assistance, especially from the forwards, and if
this is not forthcoming it puts an extra amount of work upon their
shoulders. This I shall deal with in another chapter from a forward's
point of view. I cannot conclude this chapter without alluding to the
late J. Crabtree, who played for many years with Aston Villa, and upheld
his club so well in half-back and full-back play. I have played against
him on many occasions, and he certainly was the finest man I ever came
across in defence and attack. He seemed to be able to read the forwards'
thoughts, and knowing what was going to be done with the ball,
intercepted in a way that has rarely, if ever, been equalled. This, in
one way, is a gift which is not mastered by cultivation, but still
practice is a great thing, and it is only by this means that any man can
hope to come to the front.