Addendum to Emerton as fullback

PM recently explored the notion that Brett Emerton, might be more productively deployed by Sydney at fullback than at wide midfield or on the wing. This is because fullback has become the most important position on the pitch, because in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, a fullback is without a direct opponent; they have time and space to advance. Advanced of the fullback, Emerton is closely marked by the opposition leftback, and obliged to provide close support for the lone striker, which prevents him from launching his superb crossing range.

It's a become a cliche to say that fullbacks are more wingers than defenders in modern football and there is some truth to this, as fullbacks are expected to provide width as the wide forwards cut-in. So why is there a public reluctance to give fullbacks their due credit?

Jonathan Wilson suggestes that it is due to the characterisation given to the term itself; 'fullback' has an overtly defensive connontation, and suggests the player must have a primarily defensive disposition. But Brazil, a country famous for its production line of attacking wing-backs (in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2) in Roberto Carlos, Maicon and Dani Alves does not use the word 'fullback' to describe the position - the English translation is 'lateral' which conveys width or wide play over depth or defensive responsibility.