Death of the Poaching Striker

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Definition of a Poacher:

In football, the poacher is a role in which a certain kind of number 9 (striker) is categorized.

They are distinguished from other types of strikers by their world class ability to find themselves in positions to score easily (usually tap-ins).

Poaching number 9’s have different characteristics from other kinds of strikers:
- unpredictable movement
- inability or reluctance to dribble
- aren’t involved in their team’s build-up play
- almost always found inside or close to the 18 yard box.

The poacher, otherwise called “fox in the box”, is a dying breed of strikers.

The continuous evolution of the physical and tactical aspects of football is the cause of this.

A poacher’s main X-factor, the thing that separates them from other types of number 9’s, is their movement.

Poachers will only move to find themselves in pockets of spaces in or anywhere near the opposition box to find the easiest scoring chances.

Here again in this video you can see how important movement and positioning is to a player like Paco Alcacer.

cred: @TifoFootball_

Poachers also usually take the lowest amount of touches on the field.

In 2013, Mario Gomez, then 26 year old striker for German giants, Bayern Munich, recorded 33.4 touches per goal, the fewest in Europe.

But unfortunately, due to the evolution of the game, the poaching forward will soon face the same fate as the pure central attacking midfielder or number 10.

Total extinction.

Coaches prefer forwards who’s main skill set doesn’t just involve floating around the box to score.

Forwards such as Firmino, Benzema, Aguero and Richarlison, have been able to adapt to the modern game because they have other attributes such as dribbling and creativity etc.

Today’s #9 needs to possess a multi-faceted range of skills – goal-scoring, but also a blend of athleticism, pace and defensive capabilities – so top-level clubs can no longer merely rely on a one-dimensional poacher who offers little else to the overall workings of the team.

In the early 2000’s teams loved to play with a two man strike partnership, usually the “big man - little man” combination. With the little man being the traditional poacher and the big man being a natural target man.

But this playing style faced some problems.

One of them being managers started to mark poachers out the games. If you don’t have anyone to finish your scoring chances then there aren’t any goals right? Simple.

That was seen with Charlie Austin for Southampton and Chicharito at his spell at West Ham.

Adaptation:

Two players that adapted to these anti-poacher tactics were Premier League legends, Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney, two of the greatest forwards to kick a football. But they evolved in different ways.

At Chelsea, Drogba was a natural poacher but due to a dip in his scoring and the need to meet the tactical requirements ofthe team he became an all-encompassing physical presence but with a deft touch and a keen eye for goal.

Wayne Rooney, on the other hand, had the gumption and work ethic to become a moveable cog in the overall machine. His willingness to drop deeper into a number 10 role or inside-forward allowed him to be used in a variety of tactical systems.

He brought creativity in his game and the ability to playmake and linkup play. This allowed him to seamlessly dovetail with a range of diverse talents, including Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Robin van Persie.

Other strikers that adapted:
- Robert Lewandowski
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Carlos Tevez
- Ian Wright
- Luis Suarez

Elite teams no longer rely on a forwards who almost exclusively operate inside the opposition’s 18 yard box. The one-dimensional poacher, is close to extinction. Poachers face only one choice; adapt or be left behind.

Rts really appreciated btw. I haven’t written one in a while and there weren’t that many sources for info but it’s a try sorry lmfao

@RiZzyUTD @MessiFC10i @CFCRole @AFCGally