Wonders of Wing-Back

THE formation deployed by Argyle manager Ryan Lowe will always place great emphasis on the role of wing-back and Joe Edwards displayed the opportunities available from that position with his two goals in the midweek draw at Crawley.

Callum McFadzean, operating from the other flank, has also contributed goals this season and assists from both wing-backs is a key element to the Lowe philosophy, as we prepare to welcome Cheltenham Town to Home Park in Sky Bet League Two this afternoon.

There is no better example of the wide-player threat than the marauding full-back talents of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at Premier League leaders Liverpool, and Argyle are blessed to have a number of wing-back options with experience of playing the role.

“Look at TAA and Robertson, they have a bit of a competition with each other,” said Ryan. “Fadz [McFadzean] and Joe [Edwards] will do that, they’re getting goals but I want assists more from them. In terms of the overall package, if you can contribute with goals and assists, then I’ll be very happy.

“They probably have to be taught it [the role], Joe Riley played it for Mickey Mellon a few years ago at Shrewsbury, and contributed a lot of assists, Joe Edwards played there for Walsall last season, Fadz played there for myself last season at Bury, [George] Cooper can be there or Byron [Moore] can play there.

“The problem is that going forwards is great but defending and going the other way is the hard part. If you’ve got willing people who are happy to do that, you’ve seen Fadz, the energy levels, the two of them the other night were terrific.”