The art of being a centre forward

[ncRover]

Has a lot more to it in terms of total contribution to a successful side than just how many goals they score.

It is possible for a team to be more successful with a striker who scores only 10 goals than a team with a striker who scores 25+. In fact, it happens regularly because Bradford finish outside the top 3 every year despite having Andy Cook. Part of Adelakun’s success was that he had someone doing his dirty work. He flopped at Gillingham at this level previously.

What do team mates appreciate from a centre forward who gets the best out of everyone?

It can be their nuisance factor in not giving opposition defenders a moment’s rest or using their running power to run the channels to stretch the opposition defence to make openings for others.

It can be their physical strength, first touch and passing ability that makes up their hold up play. This allows an effective out ball to get the whole team up the pitch when under pressure and ultimately build more attacks. Having a picture of how an attack is building with your back to goal while trying to take a good first touch with your feet, chest or head and also having a big defender or two slamming in to the back of you is very difficult. You can’t really hold the ball up while facing the goal.

It can also be their aerial ability to either cause carnage in the opposition box - or as Joe Ironside has been over the 18 months, a very useful extra defender in your own box when defending opposition set pieces.

I’ve written this post to remind people before any new signings in that position potentially come in now or in the summer that you can’t judge a player off their Wikipedia page.

The most complete centre forward I’ve seen at this level is Jatta for Notts County and he would cost a bloody fortune.

[tyke1962]

I'm a fan of goals coming from all over the pitch and not relying on one striker to get you 25 goals .

Strikers do have dry spells during the season , they get injured or suspended and they may well be recalled by their parent club if they are on loan as Stockport have just found out with Louie Barry .

If goals are coming regularly from different players it gives the opposition way more to think about .