retired_kathylc2000

In previous FMs I considered the TM to be the person who scores all of your goals, either by head, or feet, or the run onto ball type. You know the players always tend to pass to him and he scores, but now that I saw the definition in the tips category of the new game, I'm not so sure anyomore.

It says it's the player who flicks the ball to other players.

So first of all I'm wondering how does that work if he runs onto ball, does he tend to go after the ball and pass it back?

Secondly what are the crucial skills needed for a TM?

I know this has probbably been asked before, but I would appreciate any help

psychodad13th

A targetman is a player who the defenders and midfielders look for, often with a long ball. His main responsibility is to offer a simple straight forward alternative for your team to move the ball up to your opponents half. This means a targetman preferably should be big, strong and good in the air and at holding up the ball.

retired_chelsey5658

I'll just respond with how i use the instructions.

To head: For my Centre-Forwards; they are the big striker of my teams with great heading and jumping stats that is on the end of crosses. This is the type that wins the long balls in the air and flicks them on.

Need to be BIG (think Towering Striker)! I find these stats are the most important: Strength, Jumping, Heading, Bravery, Aggression and Determination. Alongside the other striker style stats (ie: finishing etc). All my TM's of this sort are always more then 185cm...190cm if i can find them.

Vieiri is probably the best TM i've seen in real life...a shadow of his former self now. Drogba of Chelsea and Carew of Villa is also good example. Jan Koller of Monca/Czech demonstrated the perfect example of this style of TM as he headed in that goal against the USA in the World Cup.

Very effective.

To feet: I'm not sure exactly how this works but i've used it when i'm playing a short-passing style. Ie: carpet football. And it works...sort of.

The TM when i have set to feet is generally a more creative-free role forward. I dont like using this style because it can seriosuly screw up if they mark him out of the game.

These guys need to hold the ball up so strength is pretty darn vital. First Touch, Passing, Technique, Anticipation, Off the ball, Teamwork, Creativity always helps too.

In real life i can think of only Wayne Rooney of Manure who is played like this.

Notice how England used him as a focal point in the World Cup and he got absolutely owned as opponents marked the crap out of him? It can happen in FM too.

Run Onto the Ball: this is the best if you play a fast counter breaking style.

Not only does your TM need to have good pace and acceleration (think explosive strikers) but your Midfielders need to have good passing to thread the perfectly weighted through balls that split defences and the striker can chase down. You'll see alot of one-on-ones if you do this right.

Pace...accleration...pace...more pace...accleration and probably pace is the most vital stats. Alongside off the ball. Off the ball is really important, they need to predict where the midfielders will distribute it. Also you need the traditional stats for a striker.

In real life i reckon the best example of this recently was Michael Owen. His blistering pace can really tear defences to shreads. Too bad his injured and joined newcastle. Henry is also a similar player.

The best TM is one that can play to all these styles.

Hoped this help!

retired_kathylc2000

EXCELLENT post KOTU, really good read, thanks for the help!

From what I understood I found that Milan could play the ROT type of TM, and my idea of their target man would be Kaka, the mids would pass the ball to him, he would use his pace on the ball and his passing to play out Ronaldo and Gilardino or just have a shot him self.

Not sure how that would work, but in a basic 4-1-2-1-2 with Kaka as the playmaker, and Seedorf Gattuso and Pirlo as the midfield passers, it could turn out good...

retired_chelsey5658

Hmmm...in that situation i would recommend using a Playmaker (and having Kaka/Pirlo be the two points of the diamond) and having Gilardino as the TM with a supply of mixed.

He is pretty versatile i think. I can't remember his stats because i'm 2014 now and his stats are craptacular now

retired_kathylc2000

I am not playing as Milan atm, but speaking of this in theory.

I played on FM 05 with them and it went like a charm withouth the playmaker and tm stuff