Tas
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TheBrownDog
- Dec 23, 2002
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How many 6"5 forwards do Freo run with?
On the occasions we have just played two talls, I think we've looked better, Thomas has far more room to work in and our midfielders get a lot more ball front and square in the forward line.
I think we need more mobility in there, and certainly need a bigger emphasis on pressure in there. Majak has a role to play there IMO, I'd like to see a Bailey type role for him, where he gets subbed in the 3rd most games, gives Goldy a chop out, barring injury of course.
I'd also like to see Garner/Wood developed into a Chris Mayne type forward, I think Mason is a good fit for that role, he has a big tank and is quick enough to lock the ball in
Freo are the ones desperately searching for key forwards though, how many would they play if they had 3-5 decent ones available to them? Lyon played plenty of tall forwards at Saints.
A problem since we switched from Petrie/Tarrant/Hansen to Petrie/Tarrant/Black is that both Black and Tarrant are leading forwards, Tarrant had a lot more opportunity to lead into space when he was the only leading forward. This is compounded by the fact Thomas is more medium sized leading forward instead of a crumbing forward.
I think we have a forward line that works, especially when the mids look to hit up a target rather than bomb away. The problem is with so many leading options is that when teams congest our forward line there isn't any space and our ability to score declines rapidly.
I think a more mobile forward line is more of an advantage against flooders, you can then push numbers back to congest the midfield and your own backline and just use run and carry to launch attacks. We do not adapt well to when clubs congest our forward line.