retired_sawj1

That doesn’t really make any sense to me. Why would you still need to choose a playmaker and a target man if your tactic does not use either one?

If it actually does make a difference then that is a bit silly really because it isn’t very logical.

retired_isooze

the_gaffa, I guess the point is that most sides tend to have a player of these descriptions.
Every side has one creative player who tends to get into attacking positions and create opportunities for the team - a playmaker.
And every side has one targetman type player, who they tend to look to run on to the ball, win headers or hold up the ball.

I think the point is that if you tick the team instruction, your side will look, at every opportunity, to use your targetman or your playmaker as an outlet during an attack.

However, if you leave them unticked, your side will make its own decision in terms of the best way to build an attack - HOWEVER - those players selected will take on the characterists of a targetman or playmaker.

This is my understanding of the matter anyway.

Has anyone else got some futher input on this one?

retired_sawj1

Ah right I see your point. I'll give this a go in my Juve save and see how it goes. :thup:

retired_isooze

I have been experimenting with the 'use target man' option and it has failed miserably for me.
I found that my target man just won the same amount of headers as when I leave the box unticked but selected him in the player roles.

In the last game I played, away to Plymouth, I ticked the use TM box. My TM was kicked out of the game! He was fouled about 8 times during the duration of the 70 mins he was on the pitch and thus had to be taken off as his fitness had reached a level of 75%! He still won plenty of headers however.

I presume that if I had not ticked the use TM box for this game, my players would have taken a more varied approach and he might not have got fouled so much.

It seems to me that not ticking the box but selecting the player role is the most successful method for playing with a target man.

Does any have any input into this tactical matter?
I'm surprised at the lack of response, as it seems to me that the targetman option in particular can make a massive difference to making a successful counter-attacking tactic.
Taking my team away from home against a superior side, I see no better option than to play a deep defensive line complimented by a direct passing game picking out a big TM to hold up the ball and flick-on to my faster striker.

Crouchaldinho.

retired_isooze

Just to recap on the points under discussion in this thread:

I have found that a targetman works especially well when playing counter-attacking, defensive, direct football with a deeper defensive line. It isn't beautiful, but my St. Albans City team is set up to defend deep and then hoof direct balls up to my big striker with jumping of 17. I am nearly always the underdog, so I find this to be especially effective.

I think the most important stats for a target man are jumping, heading, strength, first-touch, technique, off-the-ball, bravery and anticipation.

My current target man is good at jumping and first touch, but has no pace.
I often wonder if I should set the 'target man supply' option, or leave it at mixed?
My reasoning for leaving it as mixed is that he could have balls played into feet, as his first-touch is 15+. However, it would be no good for the players to supply through balls to run on to, as he's far too slow for that! Does anyone have any views on this option?

Another point of interest for me - during my most successful spell with St. Albans City, I set my target man on the player roles list but didn't tick the 'use target man' box.
I have been experimenting with this and have generally found that ticking the 'use target man' box to be uneffective.

I would be most interested to hear any points of view on these tactical matters.

Cheers,
Crouchaldinho.

retired_isooze

aby

Here are some thoughts and observations from playing, reading the forums and the manual.

Try this thread: Target Men, Play Makers, Etc.

Ticking the box just makes the team focus more on delivery to the TM. It can make the team play one dimensionally, but that might be very effective if you are playing defensively and looking to minimize collateral damage while getting some scoring chances.

Even if it is not ticked, where you play the ball to TM does seem to have an effect. For example, I had Freddie Eastwood for a while and he is not good in the air, but exception with his feet and back to goal. Whether or not I ticked the box, the stats were clear to me that playing ball to feet improved his performance as long as he was one of the listed TMs.

Setting to Head is a good idea with great jumping/heading. Balls will still get played to the feet, but the primary attempt will be to the head (btw, mixed plays most balls to the head). If the TM is mostly getting long balls from the back played up, switch to head with those stats. I would consider leaving it on mixed if you are getting a lot of service from the wingers somewhat near the byline.

retired_isooze

Jablome,

Many thanks for your response - I think what you've said has confirmed a lot of what I have been seeing while experimenting.

I'll check out that thread too.

Cheers,
C.