retired_courtz

Cleon but the target man, can't be a power striker?

retired_elpata

A targetman is supposed to be powerful

retired_NLeniewska

E.G. Drogba is Chelsea's Target Man; Do you thinks The Drog is weak?

retired_ironmaden

Interesting idea to recreate WM I have to say.

I don't know if someone is willing to try, but I'll describe the Hungarian Modified WM, which was used by "The Mighty Magyars" in the 1950s.

GK: Gyula Grosics was kind of a sweeper-keeper, often came to head/kick balls away from the opposition strikers.

Defenders: nothing very special here, they were solid, physically good (though not really quick), and not too adventurous.

DM1: playmaker DM (József Bozsik, probably the best midfielder of the early 50s)
DM2: a very defensive DM. The team's manager, Gusztáv Sebes tried with two playmaker DMs as well, but it didn't work out. This DM is the unsung hero: gets in the holes left by his attacking DM partner, also drops back to help out the defence.

Wingers: both were on quasi free roles, especially the left winger Czibor, who was free to roam around, sometimes falling back way deep.

AM RC, AM LC: a target man type one, good at heading and lethal in front of the goal (Kocsis), and a small, creative, explosive one with huge shooting power (Puskás), the latter also on a free role.

ST: The centre forward's role was quite different from the original WM, as stated in the opening post. The forward was coming deep to get and distribute balls. Interestingly, Hidegkuti, who played in this role in the NT, was an AM RC in his club. But his club played the normal WM with a tank-type ST up front. Depending on opposition, a target man with no fall back also played sometimes.

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The problem with the implementation of this WM to today's tactics is probably the midfield. It can pretty much empty out when the playmaker DM runs up. I think it also requires some very skilled players (especially at DM1, ST and AM LC), with really good passing (the whole style of play was based on creativity and smooth passing with a technical advantage over the other team).

retired_pennyyoung

Cleon i've tried my hand at making a similar tactic to the W-m. as i really like to have 3 at the back, i tried to use the same defensive structure. i have had a lot of success with real madrid thus far.

the only problem is that while the defence is really tight and DMC's do plug critical holes, the DMC's find do not leave their DMC position while on the attack. i currently have xabi alonso playing one of the DMC's, and i really want him to orchestrate.

setting higher CF, mentality, forward runs etc have helped. i have them with barrows, as this is the only way i've found that stops the DC from being expoloited.

how do you like the DMC's to contribute while on the attack? they are really key in defence.