get bodies forward

[Kontol]

What is the meaning of the phrase "get bodies forward" in this sentence?

A huge let off for the Clarets on the half hour mark, as Wolves hit Burnley on the counter attack from a corner, with Adama Traore left one on one with Taylor, however, his fierce right footed shot cannoned off Pope’s cross bar.

Moments later, Wolves again got bodies forward after a Burnley attack, but a world class challenge from Taylor denied Jimenez a sure goal scoring opportunity.

PL REPORT: WOLVES 0-0 BURNLEY | BurnleyFC

Goalless draw at Molineux sees the Clarets extend their unbeaten league run to five matches

www.burnleyfootballclub.com

 

[Rover_KE]

move players upfield

 

[Kontol]

Does "body" mean player in British English?

 

[jutfrank]

Does "body" mean player in British English?

This is not British English. Yes, 'bodies' means 'players' in this context.

 

[Kontol]

I see. Maybe "bodies" is more formal than "players" in journalistic writing or football jargon, right?

 

[jutfrank]

No, it isn't more formal. It's a different form of expression based on a different mental picture. This expression is again very basically grounded in the metaphor of football = battle. There's an almost identical analogy in the game of chess (chess = battle), where we talk about the pieces as 'material'. In the strategy of battle, what matters greatly is the number of bodies and their positions.