Getting the most out of my lone striker

[WITW]

Howdy folks!

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions to help get my lone striker contributing more.

I'm playing as Gainborough Trinity in the Conference North and doing OK, solidly in the top half, above our expected position. I'm using a system that I have had success with before but it is, admittedly, designed for higher standard teams.

4-3-3(4-1-2-2-1)

GK

RB - (Wing Back -A)

CD-D

CD-D

LB - (Wing Back -A)

DM - (Anchor Man - D)

CM - (Box to Box - S)

CM - (Advanced Playmaker - A)

AMR - (Inside Forward - S)

AML - (Inside Forward - S)

ST - (Complete Forward - S)

Short passing, attacking mentality, press more, higher tempo.

The basic idea of the system is that the inside forwards drag the opposition wide players inside, leaving space for our Wing Backs on the overlap. If the full backs don't track our inside forwards, then the advanced playmaker helps us to overload the middle of the park and keep possesion. It works pretty well, though I'm sure I can tailor it better to lower league football.

However, my main issue is that no one at this standard is really capable of playing the Complete Forward role. The two strikers I've played both have 2 goals in 4 games, which isn't terrible, but I feel like I can get more out of them.

Ideally, I need the striker to drop deep and link up with the AP/IFs, whilst still being able to get into the box to be on the end of crosses from our wing backs. I know I'm limited by general ability at this level, but does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried Deep Lying Forward with an attack mentality, but they feel a bit too isolated. Whilst DLF support doesn't get them forward enough at the right times.

I'm sure there's a combination of instructions which could get them to play like a Complete Forward (but without actually being one, if that makes sense!), but I can't find it.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[vasilli07]

What's your striker attributes?

[WITW]

I'm not in front of the game at the moment to screenshot them, but they are kind of "all rounders". Not lightning quick, reasonable stength and average finishing. Average in most departments to be honest, not particularly bad/good in any individual area, which is why I was hoping Complete Forward might work (and it has, to an extent). They are most suited to the Defensive Forward role, but I'm not sure that would fit this setup.

[summatsupeer]

It might take more than just changing the ST role/duty to make things click. It might not fully click unless you bring in a player with the attribute balance to do what you want.

I would expect a DLF-S to work well, could you explain why he "doesn't get forward enough at the right times" ? What is your Team Shape? A more structured shape might help keep him up with play rather than dropping him even deeper to link up?

I think your pattern of play don't suit the mentality + tempo. Attacking + Higher Tempo will look to move the ball forward very quickly, but your main runners (LB & RB) are coming from deep which will either make them behind the play or allow the opponents to recover. If you want to keep this mentality + tempo I would look to increase the amount of runners near the ST, maybe changing just one of the IF to Attack duty with a WB-S behind him would help the ST and give attacking options sooner. If you want to keep your pattern of play I would consider reducing the mentality and/or tempo to give your forward players more time/patience with the ball to allow your WB's to get forward.

[WITW]

That's a good point and you may be on to something there with the tempo. Perhaps dropping the tempo will give a DLF more time to join in attacks and get on the end of those crosses.

It should, in theory, also help my build up play in general. I do like the attacking mentality and I like the way the players link up with a flexible shape, but I will definitely look at the tempo. Many thanks for your input!