Role understanding - Target Man

[mcpay]

Hi folks,

I read the pairs & combinations guide and as I am a big fan of target men I was wondering he is only mentioned in a supporting role.

Is the target man on attack duty to isolated? i have to admit i do no fully understand the role on attack duty, although I used the target man in a single striker tactic (4-2-3-1) on an attack duty and two if and it works very well.

Do you think it is also possible to use a target man on attack duty in a 4-4-2- (together with a T or a CF (S) for example)?

Thanks for your feedback!

[THOG]

Yes, it's possible, though as always, it depends on the player you play there and the players you have playing around him.

On an attack duty, the Target Man's job is to get in the box, occupy the central defenders and try to get on the end of crosses. Obviously, given that description, it makes sense to give the role to a physically powerful player. The Target Man is a limited specialist role meaning its intended for players who are supposed to do one thing and just do it very well. He won't offer you a lot on the ball other than laying it off to the feet of another attacker, and he won't move around a lot to find space. Again, his job is to plant himself in or just outside the area and outmuscle the opposition defenders.

[jujigatame]

I had a good amount of success with a TM/A with an AP/A behind him. The TM makes space for the AP's dribbling runs.

[mcpay]

thanks a lot, hand:-) what made me think about the role definition was when showing the most important parameters for the target man (a) role, workrate and teamwork is mentioned and as per your definition the attacking target man is only used for scoring.

i think i will try to use the af role more often, even more physical attackers and thanks for your detailed feedback.

@juji: that´s exactl what i used in my 4-2-3-1 setup, the attacking target man scored lots of goals using this combination.