Strikers are a dying breed? - Shearer

[Zak33]

Very interesting. I'd not really thought about it but he's got a point


Traditional strikers out of fashion in Brazil - Shearer http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28186605

[heinsmit]

Luis Suarez disagrees.

[Zak33]

I think Shearer would like it to be wrong too tbh,,,,,

[csgohan4]

Strikers are a dying breed because Suarez keeps eating them alive

but seriously, he is right, but there are a few like Zlatan, and of course previously Ruud Van Nistleroy, Solsjaer.

I think the focus now a days is the complete Attacking midfielder, everyone marks the striker but not the Sneaky midfielder running into the box

[heinsmit]

Ade did pretty well last season, I'd call Aguero a striker, certainly Negredo who did great then admittedly dropped off

[csgohan4]

I would say RVP is one of those strikers who plays off the last man, a classic striker, has a good strike from his head too

[heinsmit]

I would say RVP is one of those strikers who plays off the last man, a classic striker, has a good strike from his head too

Not been great at the WC though has he? Except the Spain game

[Top_gun]

The game has evolved and managers are simply playing the numbers game in midfield. Usually if you win the midfield you win the game.

It also makes you wonder why Hodgson decided to use three strikers in the world cup opening games.

[Mama Sumae]

Falcao is a classic striker, technically gifted but its really around the box that he shines.

I would agree with Shearer though, first we abandoned more static strikers and now the whole idea seems to be dated and somehow counter-productive to more dynamic attacking fronts.

Its a waste to have a men basically holding and dragging players, you simply expect someone else to carry out these functions and go inside the box when needed, allowing other players like Robben, Hazzard or James Rodriguez to cut inside or run in possession into danger areas.

Obviously if you have your own version of a Klose and you are the sort of team that expect little possession from the opposition you might be willing to sacrifice some collective aptitude to play him on.

But in the optimal layout and in full on competitive level you definitely wish for something more than a striker up front.

[csgohan4]

Falcao is a classic striker, technically gifted but its really around the box that he shines.

I would agree with Shearer though, first we abandoned more static strikers and now the whole idea seems to be dated and somehow counter-productive to more dynamic attacking fronts.

Its a waste to have a men basically holding and dragging players, you simply expect someone else to carry out these functions and go inside the box when needed, allowing other players like Robben, Hazzard or James Rodriguez to cut inside or run in possession into danger areas.

Obviously if you have your own version of a Klose and you are the sort of team that expect little possession from the opposition you might be willing to sacrifice some collective aptitude to play him on.

But in the optimal layout and in full on competitive level you definitely wish for something more than a striker up front.

problem is, Spain/Barcelona tried the no striker approach in the past and played with a 4-6 approach, it doesn't work and only gives you a winning possesion percentage but little return against solid teams. No prizes for guessing why Iibramovic left, because the ball was usually being passed around the midfield and he was just a spectator. No free flowing fast football. They would rather pass it into the net than have the killer pass for the stirker or cross.

Now teams have found out how to play against that kind of setup and eventually the old system of total football 4-4-2 with dynamic play seems to back in fasion.

[Top_gun]

problem is, Spain/Barcelona tried the no striker approach in the past and played with a 4-6 approach, it doesn't work and only gives you a winning possesion percentage but little return against solid teams. No prizes for guessing why Iibramovic left, because the ball was usually being passed around the midfield and he was just a spectator. No free flowing fast football. They would rather pass it into the net than have the killer pass for the stirker or cross.

Now teams have found out how to play against that kind of setup and eventually the old system of total football 4-4-2 with dynamic play seems to back in fasion.

Actually, it's more difficult to defend with two solid lines of 4 against 4-6 than 4-4-2. This is mainly because the central defenders have no idea who to pick/track. Spain/Barcelona's problems are mainly down to lack of incisive and progressing passing rather than tactical formation. It's noticeable when you compare the performances of Iniesta and Xavi during their earlier days to today's.

[Zak33]

The game has evolved ......

It also makes you wonder why Hodgson decided to use three strikers in the world cup opening games.

you answered the question yaself... Hodgson never evolved .....

[Top_gun]

you answered the question yaself... Hodgson never evolved .....

Not quite. It comes down to whether Hodgson thought his formation was progessive or he felt there weaknesses in the opposing team defence.

Shearer talked about players like Sheringham play deep as though he was first England player to do this but so did Nick Barmby, Nigel Clough and Peter Beardsley before.