retired_swampfox32

Thanks to the tactics bible, most of the things that confused me no longer do But I still can't get my head around what instructions I should give my strikers. Or, to put it another way, what each instruction means to a striker.

The most problematic one is Forward Runs. Being a striker, one would hope that he'd be looking to score, and that involves being near the opponents goal. So does Forward Runs mean he actually hangs back more, until a midfielder plays a ball forward for him to run on to? (like Vassell and Owen do a lot). So Forward Runs would be more of a "try and beat the offside trap" type of instruction?
Or is it merely the same as for everyone else, running forward when we get possession. So if I set it to Rarely, they'd be more of a Dennis Bergkamp style player, coming deep to get the ball and creating chances rather than scoring them all the time.

Also, how often is "Often"? If I tell a player to do Long Shots "Often", is he going to turn into the striker version of Frank Lampard and shoot on sight regardless of his options, or distance from goal? Or will he pass if it's clearly a better option? (I play with ZERO creative freedom, so his Decisions won't matter much, will they? I hope not, in this case it's a massive 4!).

I have a striker with very good long shots (15.., in the Conference South?!), so I'd like him to try his luck when he has the chance, but not at the expense of passing to his partner for a tap-in.

Same for "Through Balls". If I set that to often, will he ever shoot again? Or will he ALWAYS play a though ball if there's one on, regardless of whether or not he's got a better chance himself?

What's the general feeling in the forum about strikers and TBs/LSs?

Onto a slightly seperate point, what's the best way to use a striker who is, for all intents and purposes, a bit poor. I'm stuck with him for now (I'm Bath City. I have no money, no wages to offer anyone anyway, and no loan slots left for 2 more months).

Do I use him as a fast striker even though he's not fast? Or a hold-up striker even though he's 5'7 and 10 stone? Or is there a general "you're a striker, just...strike!" option for these circumstances? I'm thinking just give him a Free Role and max Creative Freedom and see what happens