Five-a-side Football

With the ever lowering standard of English facilities to host Sunday League football, the five-a-side adaptation is becoming ever more popular. Professional eleven-a-side football is, however, in no evident danger, although I thought I would see how the Tottenham squad fare in a five-man team. And I mean five-a-side on a lined pitch, with no walls to bounce the ball off, where flair is the order of the day.

Gomes

Although he has a tall frame, making it hard for him to get down quickly, Brazilian Gomes is an agile goalkeeper, with fantastic reactions. Although prone to errors, he will never look to hide; he will always be there to reassure his team-mates and clear the danger. But arguably most importantly, he is very good at rolling the ball out rather than kicking it every time, starting counter-attacks with pace. He is finally coming into form and showing what a good player he is, and has to be in the team.

Gomes in a five-a-side goal

Ledley King

A world-class defender, I feel King’s skills would transfer with little or no grief. He has the intellegence to cut-out a pass, and his strength in tackle is second to none. However, unlike his central counterparts – Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate – Ledders is also comfortable on the ball. He won’t smash the ball into South Africa 2010, giving the ball away needlessly; he will play a simple pass to a team-mate. Therefore, Ledley King is the first outfield player to make the team, and also captain. However, the pace of the game might prove too much for his knee.

King dominant on any sized pitch

Vedran Corluka

Corluka is the perfect defender for five-a-side. For reasons I have already mentioned, there are many defenders who would not be suited to the compact pitch. However, “Charlie” is not one of them. Corluka can read the game well, and is very comfortable on the ball, whilst not afraid to receive the pass and take the ball forward himself or lay it off to a team-mate. He can also play in the midfield if you prefer a more attacking formation. He isn’t the fastest, but is mobile and has a large engine. So Vedran Corluka makes the team as a utility player.

Charlie is what some would call a “footballing defender”

Luka Modric

Modric will provide the creativity in midfield. He has the skill to take the ball past players, but also the vision to pick out a player with a pass weighted to perfection. He is reasonably fast, and will track the man he is marking all over the pitch and run himself to the ground; he won’t let a player run free. Despite his small frame, he will also hold his own on the physical side of the game as well. Every team needs one playmaker to make things happen; in other words, every team needs one Luka Modric. Plus, Corluka being his best friend, communication won’t be an issue.

Modric is the team’s Mr Maker

Robbie Keane

Five-a-side football is perhaps the one and only form of the game where big target man, the classic “number 9” doesn’t rule supreme. Keane’s nippy movement can give him the all important extra yard to get a shot away. I actually beleive Robbie would be more suited to the small pitch than the big pitch. The game is more high tempo, and first touch is crucial. You don’t have a lot of time to think, and these are circumstances under which the Irishman thrives. His finishing is best under pressure, and he operates best when instinct takes control. We see this when he scores a top class volley, and then misses a one-on-one when he has all day to line up his angle. So Robbie Keane makes up the team, ad will be the one and only striker. Although, he speaks the worst English out of anybody to  make this team.

Keane thrives under pressure

It is an interesting debate, as some very talented players can slip through the net in eleven-a-side football, because of a lack of height or strength, but could the compact game give them a second chance? Maybe five-a-side is the future of our game.