da cassino online：
da dobrowin： Football, like any aspect of life, is one that is constantly evolving, altering and adapting to gain an advantage and remain competitive in a crowded zone. The change of approach taken by many teams shows this, as they search for success at the expense of their rivals. One way in which top-sides are setting themselves apart is through the changing role of the striker, with the powerful target-man slowly being phased out, as systems morph, rendering their particular skills less effective. This has been shown by the struggles of a few men this term, namely Andy Carroll and Edin Dzeko who, for a various reasons, have struggled throughout the season.
Traditionalists may be sad to hear this, but the days of the ‘little and large’ combination in the attacking third look to be numbered, as top level sides journey further and further from the 4-4-2 formation. This set-up has enjoyed success down the years, with the arrangement of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, and more recently the Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe combination in their time at Portsmouth, achieving great deals of success, as their teams could pressurise weaker backlines through a direct style of football. However, managers have recently began to switch from 4-4-2, in favour of systems with a single striker, either supported by wingers, or simply left to pressurise the defence alone, which does not suit the ‘big man up top’.
A typical target man is somebody over the height of 6ft, who is extremely effective in aerial duels, and strong enough to fend off competitors. Such men are chosen in forward positions to battle physically with opposing defenders for long balls, allowing a side to make a quick transition between defence and attack. Typically, formations have always had two men up front, which allows the less mobile target man to have an immediate option in support, preventing him from having to take on his marker, or attempt potentially difficult passes.
Currently formations with two men in central forward positions are becoming increasingly rare, as the benefits of the five man midfield, or the continental 4-3-3 set-up, become increasingly obvious. For such a approach to work the forward player has to be more of an all-rounder, somebody who can work the channels, bring supporting players into play and battle with his marker. Target men, such as Andy Carroll, are not as adept in this role, with a lack of mobility often leading to cumbersome displays, and a relatively speedy loss of possession for the team.
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The displays of sides such as Barcelona have shown that a powerful man in attack is not always needed, with the European champions often operating with an front trio of Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and, when fit, David Villa, none of whom can be described physical. Due their ability to conquer almost all before them, teams from across the top level leagues have taken inspiration, looking to keep the ball on the deck and maintain possession, with a view to eventually breaking down their opponents. Not all sides have the ability to employ the system to the extreme of which the Catalan club do, but they are swaying closer to it in terms of the way players line up on the field of play, and a reduction of the long ball.
Three examples of the target-man role in the Premier League are, as mentioned before, Carroll, Edin Dzeko and Peter Crouch, with only the latter being impressive of late. Dzeko, of Manchester City, has struggled this term, with his style of play not suiting the fluid approach employed by Roberto Mancini, as a result the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and, recently, Carlos Tevez have been chosen ahead of the Bosnian, due their all round ability and mobility on the field of play. Carroll has struggled at Liverpool, due in part to confidence issues, but mainly through the system being used to get the best out of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan operates with greater affectivity with the ball on ground, where he can execute neat pieces of skill and drift past defenders. When Carroll is used the club stick to this approach, with the aim of getting the best out of their star man, leaving the powerful number nine looking out of his depth. Peter Crouch provides one of the only effective examples of the long ball striker, with Stoke’s system playing to his strengths. Set-pieces, long throws, and high balls into the box are the hallmark of the Potters, and a player of Crouch’s stature benefits from such service, as displayed by his return of nine league goals for his mid-table employers.
Another drawback of a target man is the easy get out ball. In modern football, the holding of possession is becoming increasingly important, and with an obvious target up front, defenders and midfielders can often be tempted to take the ‘easy way out’. Nine times out of ten, the play will break down, as the striker has a tough job to both win the ball and offload it to a team-mate. Upon a failure to do so, the opposition are handed possession, and the previously attacking side are placed on the back foot.
Although changing systems are slowly phasing out the target-man, his role is not entirely obsolete, with the benefits of direct football when chasing a game late on being self-explanatory. Men such as Dzeko and Carroll can be of much use to their managers in such situations, allowing the team to heap the pressure on a rival team, who are inclined to sit back, and protect a lead during the closing stages of a match.
Like the dinosaurs once upon a time, target men are slowly edging toward a state of extinction, with the adapting environment of modern football no longer allowing them, to prosper. It’s time for the old-fashioned forward to adapt, before it’s too late.
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