Having played a central defender during my entire less than illustrious career have been maligned for a few howlers that resulted in goals conceded, occasionally even the points lost. My defending partners copped equal amount of flak while the poor Goalies fared even worse. Tho at least at times they would however, have an odd moment of glory when making a spectacular save or two, especially at the Penalty shootout.
Attacking personnel on the other hand, had it on the platter. They would bask in praises and accolades for scoring an odd goal especially the winner. These men were hailed as heroes and saviours regardless of the number of sitters they missed.
Team’s forwards are much less likely to get carded (except for diving ), defence players however, are forced to make the last ditch tackles in order to avert a disaster often with unpleasant consequences.
Every lost game was defenders’ incompetence, lack of concentration, slothfulness or sheer stupidity but nobody mentioned the unproductive, slow and inept attackers for not winning.