Football Language: Makeshift
The adjective makeshift is used to show that something is temporary, improvised, an emergency measure. A makeshift defence, for example, is a defence that is made up of players who are not regular starters or defenders. The word is often used when a team has suffered injuries or suspensions and has to choose players from the reserves or has to change players’ positions. There may be a midfielder asked to play at centre-back, or a centre back pushed out top one of the side back positions. You can also say makeshift attack.
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- Example: (Liverpool’s) attacking play was at points sensationally rapid, slicing through a makeshift Arsenal back line — with new signing Rob Holding and Calum Chambers in central defence.
- Example: Jose Mourinho praised the efforts of his makeshift defence following a 3-1 Premier League victory for Manchester United over Swansea City on Sunday.
- Example: (Liverpool’s) attacking play was at points sensationally rapid, slicing through a makeshift Arsenal back line — with new signing Rob Holding and Calum Chambers in central defence.
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