Assessing defenders is a difficult task in football.
Traditional statistics record tangible events such as tackles, interceptions and clearances, but the role has a deeper definition – and, after all, a desperate, glorious last-ditch tackle is not necessarily the indication of a defender’s qualities if the attack could have been stopped by better positioning without the ball or by communicating with fellow teammates.
Positioning and communication cannot be quantified but can still be appreciated. They are two qualities that are the hallmarks of one of this season’s best partnerships, Nigel Boogaard and Nikolai Topor-Stanley for Newcastle Jets.
The veteran centre-backs have started 18 of 19 games together this season. Centre-backs often rely upon a great partnership, as the position demands constant communication to be aware of a variety of attacking threats.
Communication includes those moments of non-verbal understandings – such as a look between two to acknowledge a change in marking responsibilities or a quick point to indicate the position of an unseen threat – that can only develop from time spent playing together.
(AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
As a key part of the competition’s second tightest defence, Boogaard and Topor-Stanley (BooStanley? Toporgaard?) continue a fine A-League tradition. Many previously successful teams have contained a formidable centre-back pairing.
Sydney FC currently has Alex Wilkinson and Jordy Buijs, while Graham Arnold won a championship with the Central Coast Mariners’ combination of Patrick Zwaanswijk and Trent Sainsbury.
Ange Postecoglou’s all-conquering Brisbane originally had a supreme pairing of Milan Susak and Matt Smith in that record-breaking season, while going all the way back to the inaugural double winners, Melbourne Victory in 2006-07, reveals ever-presents in Adrian Leijer and Rodrigo Vargas – and also Kevin Muscat, albeit as part of a back three or at right-back.
Great centre-back partnerships often emerge from great teams because they are well protected by a strong defensive organisation. In Sydney FC’s current set-up – a very similar system to what Arnold used at the Mariners – the two central midfielders constantly occupy the space in front of the back four, preventing the opposition from getting players on the ball in dangerous playmaking positions between the lines.
This is also crucial when attacking high up the pitch, because the protection from the defensive midfielders means Sydney are rarely overloaded against counterattacks if they turn the ball over and therefore the centre-backs are not exposed to one vs one situations.
(AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
Brisbane’s style of play focused on aggressive pressing high up the pitch. Although the dynamic of the team was different, the protection for the centre-backs was similar. The front three and midfield pressed collectively to restrict gaps for opponents to play through, with Erik Paartalu as defensive midfielder screening and covering in front of the back four.
The key in both teams was the compactness from back to front. There were never large gaps in front of the back four. Ultimately a defender’s job becomes more difficult the greater space and time opponents have to attack, so great defensive teams minimise that risk for their defenders.
In this regard, Boogaard and Topor-Stanley have benefitted from Ernie Merrick’s use of a 4-2-3-1 and preference for physical, mobile players such as Ben Kantarovski and Stefan Ugarkovic in central midfield. Kantarovski and Ugarkovic cover a lot of ground, screening playmakers behind them while also stepping forward to press their direct opponents in midfield.
If the midfield protects this zone, it means the central defenders don’t have to step forward out of the last line, which can create gaps in the back four exploited by forward runs.
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An interesting quirk of Boogaard and Topor-Stanley is their preference for holding a high line. In the weekend’s match against Melbourne Victory, they were happy to leave striker Besart Berisha five metres behind them in an offside position – something the Albanian often does to lure the back four into a false sense of security before darting back onside to then get in behind again.
Both Boogaard and Topor-Stanley were aware of this, however, and actually tried to step forward as a unit to make it difficult for Berisha to return to an onside position. This ties back to the aforementioned qualities of positioning and communication, and emphasises why familiarity is important.
Ultimately there is no magical formula to the success of Boogaard and Topor-Stanley or of Newcastle Jets as a whole this season. It is a combination of good recruitment, a simple yet effective style of play, and the development of familiar partnerships.
Kangajets
Guest
Great summary
Griffo
Roar Guru
For Boogaard I think the difference between the setup under Jones and Merrick is a big part of the story. Jones wanted a solid defensive foundation and liked to keep possession in defensive midfield but had a huge gap between there and the isolated holding, target striker. Rather than push forward there was a lot of sideways movement and possession with the inevitable long pass under pressure to the holding striker to play on to wide attackers, if they got there. The high turnover and the pressure on Boogaard would expose his lack of pace, and often being caught flat footed on the turnover, would resort to professional fouling. He was very isolated and the injury toll last season also meant he had different pairings and defensive line to marshal. Merrick if anything has flipped the defensive possession to an all out attack relying on weight of numbers in both players and balls into the box to pressure the opponents defence, and keep the opponent away from our defence. Ugarkovic came in the previous January I think, while Kantarovski was again grappling with injuries. Katroumbis was also brought in from Jones Adelaide days and did well. Merrick has enhanced the recruiting - particularly the attack - but also has seen a purple patch of health from Kantarovski which has allowed him to settle and play with more confidence in his body. But it cannot be understated NTS's stability and influence on the backline, whith both instructed to play high and distribute the ball further forward to the wide or central midfield quickly as on part of a 'attack as a form of defence' strategy. The other is the high press from our attackers, often deep into games, that also reduces the defensive pressure utlimately on the backline. A lot has contributed to the Jets position this season. A lot has to do with Merrick not rehashing the same plan as previous managers. It's a refreshing change at Hunter Stadium, to say the least.
Kangajets
Guest
Topper Stanley has improved boogard game , having a decent centre back pairing . Previous centre back Daniel Mullen made boogard make a lot of risky tackles , and no red cards this year either .
Buddy
Guest
I'm really pleased to see NTS playing well this season back with the Jets. I made comment about NB earlier in the season making really well timed tackles and getting things right whereas in previous seasons his timing would have been horrible and he would have been sent off a few times in equivalent games. Maybe moving clubs has the effect of freshening players up and providing new challenges and fresh opportunities. NTS certainly looked ready to leave WSW although apart from earning a few dollars it was hard to see what positives moving to UAE was going to bring. Still if it meant there was new life upon returning to Newcastle - it was a great move and good to see him having a fine season.
Kangajets
Guest
Thanks all for the explanations .
j,binnie
Guest
Kanga - It is thought that the term would have had it's origins when,as spelled out my MM below, the Arsenal manager, Chapman gained much publicity when he decided to move his centre-half back between his 2 fullbacks. He, Chapman ,had actually pioneered the move much earlier at Huddersfield but due to that team's standing in the scheme of things it was not until the team won 3 championships in a row 23/24,24/25,25/26 that people began to sit up and take note and ,when Chapman moved to Arsenal and did the same thing the move was "christened " as 'the "third back" and I suppose since then it has simply ingrained itself into becoming "centre -back" Cheers .jb.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
A Canberra boy with a big heart, I've always rated Topor-Stanley as one of the best defenders in the A-League. He only played a few meaningless games for the national team and never really made the transition from U23 captain to senior Footballroos. Not sure why, maybe he deserved more chances to prove himself. Although, we have had plenty of great defenders and goalkeepers over the past 10 years playing for the Footballroos. Developing great strikers is what we desperately need now.
richv
Guest
Yes and to further highlight this point the current bottom standing teams have struggled fielding consistent centre back pairings.
Square Nostrils
Guest
Michael Mills As a former centre half in the days of 2-3-5 you are correct, still find it hard to let go of that term. Much simpler in those days to know your job, as a Centre half stop the Big Btrd Centre forward charging towards you. Playing out from the back , more like putting a player on his back.
Josh
Guest
He was terrible towards the end for WSW, I was so glad we got rid of him.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
He had a season at SFC under Butcher
Michael Mills
Guest
It’s a historic thing from when they used to have the 2-3-5 formation. Two fullbacks, a right, left and centre half, and five forwards. As tactics evolved, the fullbacks went wider and the centre half dropped back into the role we know today. They often still call left and right midfielders ‘left half’ and ‘right half’, even though they no longer play next to the centre half. Centre forward wearing the nine jersey also comes from this same formation.
Kangajets
Guest
J b Why do the English call the centre backs , “centre halves”?? Or am I confusing the positions ?
Kangajets
Guest
Tim A really good article. The top 2 teams Sydney and Newcastle have very strong settled centre backs pairings . Protected by 2 defensively strong midfielders. That’s a good foundation for success .
Kangajets
Guest
Topper Stanley first spell at the Jets was good Where did he play before Newcastle?? Glory ?
j,binnie
Guest
Tim - An excellent "run down" on centre-back partnerships that have been successful in our comparatively short lived HAL. It is not really surprising that this is true for in coaching circles it has long been recognised that most successful teams are built around a very strong, talented, "spine".a line that stretches from the goalkeeper right down the middle of the team to the centre-backs,the playmaker and the successful striker up front. With these positions filled to his liking the "building" of a successful team becomes so much easier even for the most inexperienced of coaches. This simple statement is backed up by the many examples you have cited from over the HAL years, and even further back for there were many successful placements in those positions in the now defunct NSL, The only "problem" we have in today's top league is that many of these key positions are still being filled by "imported" players. This is where we have to improve our localised education programme. Cheers jb..
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
NTS was much maligned in the early years of the A-League, but it shows what can be achieved with a bit of determination and willingness to stick to the task.