Shadow striker

[phawkeye]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this or not so I apologise if not. Basically I would love to get some info/insight about the shadow striker role as for some reason I'm not too sure of, I like the idea of it and often use it in my tactics without actually knowing too much about it. I would like some input into how to use it and if I'm using it in a good formation/system with the other roles I have set.

I currently play a 4-2-3-1 formation with an attacking mentality and fluid team shape. The player roles are:

SK/S

FB/S

CD/D

CD/C

WB/A

BBM/S

CM/D

W/A

SS/A

AF/S

AF/A

I would prefer to have my striker as a complete forward but don't currently have the players available to do this.

[OrientTillIDie]

Shadow strikers work better when the main striker is on a support duty. The idea is that they drop in deep or drag defenders away from the middle of the defence to leave space for the shadow striker. I often use a Defensive Forward on Support because they chase lost causes and pressurise the defence, then if they win it back the shadow striker steps up to score the goal. Similarly with a target man or a deep lying forward on support. They will drop in leaving the shadow striker space. Think when Michu was at Swansea and Bony used to drop in to be the link player and then Michu would fly into the box. Kevin Nolan in his slightly younger days is another example. Lampard would be another.