Pairs & Combinations Part 3: Strike Partnerships

[llama3]

This is the third of a 4-part guide into the pairings and combinations that make up your team and tactics. These guides will cover the following:

• Central Midfielders
  
• Central Defence
  
• Wide Men
  
• Strike Partnerships

So, onto the Strike Partnerships guide...

Introduction

The term "strike partnerships" does not simply include only the forward(s) in the ST strata, it also includes the Wingers and Attacking Midfielders who have a particularly close link to the Centre-Forward(s). All Strikers have a partnership of some description, even lone forwards require supply and link-ups of some description to function. Football has moved from specialist to universalist theories of roles over time, with the roles demanding more of each player, to be able to fulfill additional requirements. The attempt to find space in modern tactics has also necessitated the need for more unconventional partnerships too. In this guide I will look at various types of pairing, a concept entirely applicable to lone forwards with AM strata support, or simply a pair of forwards.

The Big-Man Little - Man Partnership

Many partnerships over the years have been build on getting the best out of the physical prowess of players. A large player can provide an effective target, holding the ball up or playing passes to a quicker team mate, or playing him in behind instead. The larger player generally plays deeper, flicking on the ball, winning aerial challenges, although it is possible for the larger player to stay higher up, flicking the ball back into space or to a teammate, coming in at pace. The smaller player can look to break in behind or into pockets of space, often created by the larger forward beating a defender to the ball. These partnerships generally rely on good wide delivery & crossing from wingers and full backs, and generally suit fairly direct tactics. The are generally Target Man & Poacher combinations. Although an Advanced Forward can provide a more rounded version of the Poacher, and the Bigger forward can still be effective in a more creative role if he possesses the skills, e.g. Deep Lying Forward or Complete Forward.

Creator - Scorer

Probably the most common type of partnership in football. This can simply be a case of 1 forward sitting slightly deeper than the other, providing his more advanced partner with passes and through-balls to score, or occupying defenders to allow his partner to gain more time and space. The creator can exist as a forward, or as a midfielder instead, positioned to assist the striker effectively. This type of system can rely on a number of attributes, not just necessarily physical, but technical ability and mental ability become more prevalent in cases of creative partnerships. It is a type of football that is fairly versatile, but has a slight tendancy to suit more creative/possession based systems as opposed to direct, attrition football - however its versatility can see it widely applied to many different systems. The most balanced roles for this type of partnership are Deep Lying Forward & Advanced Forward, however a Complete Forward can be an exceptional creator or goalscorer (or both), generally shaped by his duty. A Poacher is obviously a good goalscorer, but is less likely to feed back in his supporting partner in space. A Trequartista is a superb creator, and needs someone capable of attacking the space & chances he creates. He can function from ST or AMC positions, but an Advanced Playmaker can also be a superb deeper (& wide) creative force to supply an Advanced Forward ahead of him. The AF is a role that offers build-up play, as well as goalscoring ability; the CF(A) & DLF(A) are good examples of this too. The Inside Forward can be an excellent creator on a support duty with angled balls from out wide into a breaking forward instead, whereas on an Attack duty, he can attack space left by a more creative forward in a more advanced position ahead of him, and be a prolific goalscorer.

False Nine - False Ten

The false nine & false ten system are based on the central striker dropping deep, attempting to draw a defender with him, or simply allowing space for him or a teammate to attack and unsettle the defence. The false ten aspect is the advanced midfielder pushing from deep into the vacated space to emerge as a significant or main goalscoring threat. The main & obvious way of achieving this is to select a False Nine & Shadow Striker partnership, which will link up well in the final third, and tends to significantly suit a possession & intricate movement based system. There are other roles which can mimic this effect, sometimes by pulling wide instead, or simply drifting for space. The Trequartista in attack will naturally drift around, creating space that players can attack, and again this can cause the central defenders the conundrum to follow him, or allow him space. The Trequartista can drift wide too, whereas the False Nine tends towards moving deeper. The Deep-Lying Forward & Complete Forward (Support) will also act similarly, but are more capable of holding the ball up, and occupying more space higher up the pitch as opposed to constantly looking to move deep. They also have more defensive discipline than a Trequartista which can be an important aspect for many managers. In terms of alternative "false ten" players - the Inside Forward on the flanks can attack the space vacated by a forward dropping deep/drifting wide, and cause the dilemma for full back's to choose to follow the player, opening up space wide, or to leave him to the central defenders, where he may gain space before he is even tracked. Attacking Midfielders can push into the box to support attacking moves, but are less suited to a prolific goalscoring role than the others outlined.

Conclusion

Remember to split your duties to create good movement. Base your attacking chances around multiple routes of attack to prevent unifocal tactics being rendered useless by the opposition. Your attacking partnerships and link-ups extend to the AM strata, as well general creative & running support from deeper midfield positions too. Have a partnership to suit your team's abilities and style of play, and make sure you have plan B options too.

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/362894-Pairs-amp-Combinations-Part-1-Central-Midfielders

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/363078-Pairs-amp-Combinations-Part-2-Central-Defenders

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/367124-Pairs-amp-Combinations-Part-4-The-Wide-Men

[ShirazS]

Woohoo! Awesome afternoon reading

Thanks Llama3!

[DrizzitD]

Great threads! Thank you for taking the tile to write these

[Taunton]

Your threads about pairs and combinations has been a revelation for me. It has made me make a really good base for my team. And Hampton and Richmond is flying atm thanks to you.

Thanks a lot for the insight!

[Farina]

What's your opinion about an inside forward in the AMC slot in combination with a single striker?

[Shakes]

What's your opinion about an inside forward in the AMC slot in combination with a single striker?

Inside forwards don't exist in the AMC slot any more, the closest approximation to that role is now shadow striker. So see the false 9/10 section.

[11v11]

I just wonder, sound as all this information is, can we actually make it even more exceptional via setting up a targetman? how effect is a targetman with run to ball, high pace yet opposition is playing a deep defensive line? to feet how essential is strength and maybe balance as well and to head, well, typically an aerial forward. any ideas?

[llama3]

Woohoo! Awesome afternoon reading

Thanks Llama3!

No worries

Great threads! Thank you for taking the tile to write these

Pleasure

Your threads about pairs and combinations has been a revelation for me. It has made me make a really good base for my team. And Hampton and Richmond is flying atm thanks to you.

Thanks a lot for the insight!

Glad it is working. Like hearing that people get more success & enjoyment out of the game from me doing this.

[EvertonblokesMobile]

Your threads about pairs and combinations has been a revelation for me. It has made me make a really good base for my team. And Hampton and Richmond is flying atm thanks to you.

Thanks a lot for the insight!

Seconded! I have been looking forward to this since I noticed the other 2 when the second one was released, am looking forward to the wide players one too!

[FM_Squall]

Just a suggestion, perhaps include a link to the previous ones in each thread, or condense them into one to keep track of them a bit better.

Good stuff

[ShirazS]

Reading this thread has helped me understand the relationships between all of the players in the midfield and striking positions in terms of a balance being struck between players creating and scoring. Having one creator and 3 scorers seems unbalanced and that is how I used to set up almost all of my tactics but now I am balancing them better and it has vastly improved build up play and results

[llama3]

I never pick 2 "forwards" personally, I love lone-forward systems. The supply is important, 1 forward can score plenty of goals, especially if they come from different sources, but you cannot have 1 player doing the whole creative side himself.

[dsch]

Now if only I can figure out why this is the first part to appear, the last part in the table of contents, but called 'part 3' ...

[llama3]

Now if only I can figure out why this is the first part to appear, the last part in the table of contents, but called 'part 3' ...

Typing error, random order of contents and its the 3rd part released.

[daoan]

you haven't really covered lone forwards in this guide

[llama3]

yes i have - they have an attacking midfielder or a wide midfielder linking up with the forward. There are many options stated there.

[Weezer]

Can a DLF(a) work with an advanced forward/poacher or does the DLF have to be on support?

They would be backed up by a player in the attacking midfield position so hopefully the gap won't be too large between midfield and attack.

[llama3]

Unless you have a 3rd attacker then cannot see any reason why he should be on anything other than support tbh. Even with an AMC, would be reluctant to play 2 Attack duties ahead of a support or third attack duty. Not well balanced, all trying to be too direct.

[Weezer]

Reason I asked is I want to play Berbatov alongside a quicker, natural finisher (think Defoe or Bent). But I also want Berbatov to score his fair share of goals too. When I've used a DLF(s) in the past I've never managed to get them to score consistently, even in successful and dominant sides.

Was also thinking that having a DLF on support with someone behind him in the AM position, aren't they going to get in each others way, try to occupy the same space?

[Magpiestarnz]

Reason I asked is I want to play Berbatov alongside a quicker, natural finisher (think Defoe or Bent). But I also want Berbatov to score his fair share of goals too. When I've used a DLF(s) in the past I've never managed to get them to score consistently, even in successful and dominant sides.

Was also thinking that having a DLF on support with someone behind him in the AM position, aren't they going to get in each others way, try to occupy the same space?

I am currently madly exploring this same thing based on the italian tridente attack (2 st and 1 amc) in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

This thread http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/238552-4-3-1-2-Formation

had some interesting discussion (from 2011), very relevant to 2014 since it seems thinking in roles is key,like this fine guide does, love your work llama3

At the moment im using for PP (AF support), SP (false nine support) and Treq in AMC (either SS or Treq: work in progress)

PP: Prima Punta "the goal scorer" Defoe?

SP: Seconda Punta or Fantasista "the magician" Berbatov?

Treq: Trequartista "the passmaster"

AF drifts one way, False Nine drifts deep/ can dribble into box if on (DLF S also seems to work if false nine unavailable), SS attacks middle of box often or Treq attacks box sometimes.

[llama3]

Reason I asked is I want to play Berbatov alongside a quicker, natural finisher (think Defoe or Bent). But I also want Berbatov to score his fair share of goals too. When I've used a DLF(s) in the past I've never managed to get them to score consistently, even in successful and dominant sides.

Was also thinking that having a DLF on support with someone behind him in the AM position, aren't they going to get in each others way, try to occupy the same space?

Not always, but your DLF and AMC would be better on opposite duties to create movement.

[urizen7]

Great thread llama3. Am thinking of utilising a trident of shadow striker behind the front 2 - complete striker(a) and false 9(s). Main idea is to get the false 9 to draw defenders out while the shadow striker nips to move into channel to score/pass to the complete striker. However, i supposed that the ppm plays a big factor to make it work.

Tried it for 1 friendly game using this tactic but the false 9(Rooney) doesn't seems to have a huge effect on the play. The Shadow Striker(Kagawa) scored a hattrick. In fact my SS seems to be involved in much of the play. My complete striker(rvp) have a quiet game but he still scored a goal.

I understand that because its the first friendly game, the players ain't familiar with the formation yet. But still will the right PPM makes or breaks our player's roles?

Thanks.

[llama3]

PPM's can play a big part, they can easily transform the way a player plays a position - e.g. "arrives late in opposition area", or "gets forward whenever possible" would be excellent PPM's for a SS as you want him pushing into the area aggressively. PPM's are essential to picking a player role. If you want to play someone as a Box to Box Midfielder for example, his stats may suit it, but if he has the PPM "stays back at all times" then he is a pointless selection in the role.

[urizen7]

PPM's can play a big part, they can easily transform the way a player plays a position - e.g. "arrives late in opposition area", or "gets forward whenever possible" would be excellent PPM's for a SS as you want him pushing into the area aggressively. PPM's are essential to picking a player role. If you want to play someone as a Box to Box Midfielder for example, his stats may suit it, but if he has the PPM "stays back at all times" then he is a pointless selection in the role.

TYVM for the reply. Looks like i will have to explore further when i gets back home.

[llama3]

TYVM for the reply. Looks like i will have to explore further when i gets back home.

welcome mate

[jujigatame]

How about 3-striker setups? Just use combinations of the 2-striker pairings?

[TimEdwins7]

So the only roles that should really be considered for a formation with 1 ST and no AMC in behind would be:

Deep Lying Forward / Support

Target Man / Support

Complete Forward / Support

Defensive Forward / Support

False 9 / Support

Trequartista / Attack

Is this correct? With the thinking anything too attack minded would leave the ST stranded high up the pitch and cut off from play?

[Shakes]

There are no absolutes, it can make sense to play a striker on attack duty even without a AMC partner. One obvious example is the 4-1-2-2-1 shape, the AML/AMR are often given roles that keep them quite high and so the striker can play either an attack or support role depending on how you see the interplay between the front 3 working.

Another example is if you're playing much stronger opposition it can make sense to set up in a 4-1-4-1, play 9 players behind the ball and have a quick striker as a advanced forward or poacher hoping to run onto a long ball and snatch a lucky goal. He will be isolated, but that's the point ... you don't expect build up play, you're just hoping to defend grimly and attack with 1.

[audere est facere]

Another interesting thread

[Roach]

First of all this is a great tactical thread. I'm trying to mimic liverpools current 3-4-1-2 formation and i have suarez and sturridge up top.

Listening to rodgers talk about them he says they are both "half nines" which had me thinking. Would having the pair of them as complete forwards on the support duty carry out that "half nine" instruction?? Both like to come deep, roam wide/assist and act as a poacher if need be.

[llama3]

Would be more inclined to split roles and duties, but get the players to swap position and/or roam.

[Bovski87]

So i am setting up a game with Valencia and would like my team to revolve around Canales as i really like that guy, i was thinking of playing a 4-2-3-1 with him on the AMC position as either an Enganche or Trequartista, i am leaning towards the Trequartista for more movement even though i kinda liked the thought of the Enganche sitting in his central position spraying balls around for the front 3...

My question was though which type of striker role would go well with the Enganche and Trequartista roles?

Thought about a DLF support with the Trequartista and maybe Advandved Forward, or Poacher with the Enganche roles

[llama3]

What are you planning for your wide roles? These will be relevant to your selection too.

[Bovski87]

From reading your other threads and looking at my material i was looking an AML - IF - Support and AMR - Winger - Attack

The reason for this is i thought it would give alot of movement, so Canales would have a lot of options for his passes

[llama3]

An Advanced Forward contributes to build up play more than a Poacher, but otherwise your ideas seem pretty straightforward and logical.

[Bovski87]

Thanks for the help, will go with the Advanced forward first, and maybe try the poacher if he doesn't seem to score enough

[bababooey]

I'm thinking of using 2 Complete Forwards (one support, one attack) in an alternative 4-3-1-2 tactic for Inter.. Anyone know if using the same role is a bad idea, even while splitting the duties?

[llama3]

They allow a lot of freedom, so as long as you do not play 2 identikit players then you should be ok. Don't be afraid to change it on a game by game basis.

[bababooey]

They allow a lot of freedom, so as long as you do not play 2 identikit players then you should be ok. Don't be afraid to change it on a game by game basis.

Gotcha. And I'm certainly not afraid to tinker with roles, that's for sure. Right now I'm tearing my hair out due to inconsistency with defending. But alas, I keep on going.

[urizen7]

Hi llama3, just wondering but is there a use for defensive forwards and how would they complement the tactic? Was thinking that irl welbeck actually track back a lot. He could do the same job as Tevez who hounds and pressure for the ball in the opponent half.

[llama3]

Defensive Forwards, and Defensive Wingers for that matter are players that I tend to use to hold onto games, or only in big games. They are good for causing pressure high up the pitch, probably best with players close enough to link with and lay the ball off to.

[ZazzaZ]

First of all I've got to thank you for all your interesting threads. The one about defensive roles really changed my three men d-line. Then, just a quick question. How would you set a couple of AMC and a lone striker ? I'm actually trying to play with a lone DLF with two AP, one of which is set to support while the other one attacks. But I'm still struggling with it. What kind of instructions would you give to the three, for example ?

[llama3]

First of all I've got to thank you for all your interesting threads. The one about defensive roles really changed my three men d-line. Then, just a quick question. How would you set a couple of AMC and a lone striker ? I'm actually trying to play with a lone DLF with two AP, one of which is set to support while the other one attacks. But I'm still struggling with it. What kind of instructions would you give to the three, for example ?

If you have a DLP, then you need a touch more directness about 1 of your AMC's - maybe AM(A) and AP(S)? or if your DLF is a Support duty, then a SS(A) & AP(S)?

[ZazzaZ]

If you have a DLP, then you need a touch more directness about 1 of your AMC's - maybe AM(A) and AP(S)? or if your DLF is a Support duty, then a SS(A) & AP(S)?

My lone DLF is on attack duty so I'll be giving a try to the AM(A) + AP(S) combination you suggested. I'm playing with a rigid 3-4-2-1 but while ball possession is high scoring is quite poor and still have to understand if DLF should hold position or move into spaces or maybe both. Thanks for your advice and for the invaluable guides.

[llama3]

No worries mate

[Mr U Rosler]

Llama3,

Thanks for your hard work, its great stuff.

Struggling to get my front 2 to fire, currently a Poacher and F9.

Its a slow, possession tac, fairly narrow (3 central midfielders 2 support, 1 Att. DM Anchor, flat back 4 so NO amc, NO amr/aml, width supplied by Fullbacks)

Any thoughts??

Thanks

[ZazzaZ]

My lone DLF is on attack duty so I'll be giving a try to the AM(A) + AP(S) combination you suggested. I'm playing with a rigid 3-4-2-1 but while ball possession is high scoring is quite poor and still have to understand if DLF should hold position or move into spaces or maybe both. Thanks for your advice and for the invaluable guides.

Sorry mate my mistake, but I'm actually playing with a lone Advanced Forward on attack duty not with a DLF. Think I sort of got lost in translation. Is your advice still good, then ? I'll give it a try aniway. Cheers.

[Ifail]

Anyone tried

DF (S) with a T(A)

or anyone used a DF at all??? anyone has any views on defensive forwards

if so who do you play DF as

[llama3]

Sorry mate my mistake, but I'm actually playing with a lone Advanced Forward on attack duty not with a DLF. Think I sort of got lost in translation. Is your advice still good, then ? I'll give it a try aniway. Cheers.

Yeah should still be absolutely fine.

[llama3]

Anyone tried

DF (S) with a T(A)

or anyone used a DF at all??? anyone has any views on defensive forwards

if so who do you play DF as

Its a combination I would avoid - the DF will not the line looking to get onto chances, and the Trequartista will create, but not put any away. So there will be a bluntness in attack. DF's are best for big games, specific hatchet jobs, and seeing out results.

A hard working forward like Wayne Rooney is probably a decent bet as a DF if you need one.