Need to digress. I agree with Verx. Xabi's defensive ability is severly underrated, just as Didi Hamann's was when he was at Liverpool. Stereotypes expect to see defensive players sliding into crunching tackles or running the width of the field to provide cover. In his first season, Alonso at one point, led the league in tackles and had the highest interception rate. Plus he's from Basque and by virtue of that, isn't a pansy. Just thought of clearing up this misconception.

As for the question, I can see why both are the same. A person playing as a defensive mid sits just in front of the defence. Holding the ball is but a function. Lone forwards often hold the ball up but we don't call them 'holding forwards'.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Dec 13 2010, 11:43 AM