False 9

I think the term "false 9" doesn't necessarily mean 1 player plays that role. I think its a combination of attacking midfielders that at some point during the game take up the "number 9" position. So Bayern did this and anyone of of Muller, Goetze, Ribery or Robben took up the position. So as already stated it will be one of Silva, De Bruyne, Nolito, Sterling or Sane depending their position on the pitch at the time.
Silva and Milner did exactly that when Aguero and Dzeko were out injured for 3 or 4 games just before we bought Bony.
 
Just nolito or de bruyne.
Sterling isn't intelligent enough as a footballer yet - mey be able to in the future.
Don't think nasri has enough of a striker's instinct to do it
 
I get it was a term used to describe Messi amongst others but now it gets banded about to describe all sorts of average players playing anywher evaguely attacking without any defining charicteristic and therefore is a meaningless term.
 
I get it was a term used to describe Messi amongst others but now it gets banded about to describe all sorts of average players playing anywher evaguely attacking without any defining charicteristic and therefore is a meaningless term.

Would you go so far as to say that it's a false term?
 
Just nolito or de bruyne.
Sterling isn't intelligent enough as a footballer yet - mey be able to in the future.
Don't think nasri has enough of a striker's instinct to do it

Yeah I'd go along with this. Silva's played there for Spain though so he could probably do it but in the PL i think KDB/Nolito would probably play there ahead of him. Both much better finishers and much more natural goal scorers.
 
I hate the term false 9. Tis bollox. It implies a striker who doesnt score enough goals but gets a free pass to stay in the team.

A forward that plays behind a striker and is more involved in link up play may be called a No 10 and that i get as that is a genuine position but what the F is a false No9?
Rubbish.

A false 9 must be able to pass almost better than he can score.

Typical false 9 play involves the striker dropping off from the line and slipping the wingers and sometimes midfielders through on goal.
 
I hate the term false 9. Tis bollox. It implies a striker who doesnt score enough goals but gets a free pass to stay in the team.

A forward that plays behind a striker and is more involved in link up play may be called a No 10 and that i get as that is a genuine position but what the F is a false No9?

I don't really like the term but there isn't really a better one to describe it. Messi played there a lot under Pep and you couldn't accuse him of not scoring enough goals!

I think the reason it's called "false" isn't because of a lack of goals, it's more that the role requires the player to drop deeper and draw out the opposition centre halves. It's "false" because they are nominally the central attacking player, but in reality leaves the centre half with no one to mark and is confusing for them to know when to press and when to drop.

The reason it's different to the 10 is that with a 10 there is usually a 9 in front of them who they are playing off. Wherea's a "false 9" is essentially similar to a number 10 but with no number 9 in front of them.

Apparently Don Revie used to play this role for City in the 50s.

Personally I think Nasri would be brilliant in this role. He's so intelligent and has a great eye for goal. We'd need runners with pace out wide though to get behind them so we'd have to play Sterling and Sané wide if we played Nasri in the middle.
 
Main quality is to play back to goal if you are playing a withdrawn forward role (which people now increasingly use in a derogatory manner as False 9). Nasri can play ball to feet and hold ball even if pushed physically. But doubt Nasri is staying, he wants starting spot I presume, so is mostly leaving!

Most likely Nolito (who may not hv the skill but can interpret it differently with his movements which can also trouble the CBs) with Sane on the right and Raz on the left or vice-versa, depending upon game situation?
 
As an aside, were Zaba and Clichy playing false 2 and false 3 respectively against the 'ammers?

It's a good point! I read in the press they referred to them as "inverted fullbacks". I'd never heard that term before but I guess they need to start inventing new words and positions because Pep is constantly reinventing / rejuvinating the game.
 
I get it was a term used to describe Messi amongst others but now it gets banded about to describe all sorts of average players playing anywher evaguely attacking without any defining charicteristic and therefore is a meaningless term.

The defining characteristic is still there and the term has a specific meaning. Just because the Jamie Redknapp's of this world fail to grasp the English language, it doesn't detract from any meaning of the language itself.

It's not a pointless discussion, it's a valid point about our potential use of a specific role within a specific system and whether or not any of our players could carry it out effectively.

Delph.
 
The defining characteristic is still there and the term has a specific meaning. Just because the Jamie Redknapp's of this world fail to grasp the English language, it doesn't detract from any meaning of the language itself.

It's not a pointless discussion, it's a valid point about our potential use of a specific role within a specific system and whether or not any of our players could carry it out effectively.

Delph.

I think your last word emphasises my point perfectly!
 
I hate the term false 9. Tis bollox. It implies a striker who doesnt score enough goals but gets a free pass to stay in the team.

A forward that plays behind a striker and is more involved in link up play may be called a No 10 and that i get as that is a genuine position but what the F is a false No9?

You clearly don't actually have a clue what a false 9 is so I'm amazed you can feel so strongly about it.

Messi scored 73 goals in 2011/12 playing as a false 9. It's nothing to do with not scoring goals.

It's about having a player who nominally lines up as striker, but who drops deeper - forcing the centrebacks to follow him, which then leaves acres of room for supporting players to run in behind - or stay where they are, giving the false 9 space in between the lines of defence and attack in which to create.

It's not that complex a concept, and you literally just have to google it to find out. There's been more than enough articles about the concept since Pep brought it back into the game in 2009.
 
Last edited:
I thought Nasri looked excellent in that role when he came on, made some interesting runs and one of his lay off's in the transition was beautiful. Not sure if he'll last 90 though, even the few mins against W Ham he didn't look very (match) fit.
 
I think he might just stay and try and become a humble squad player.

Thanks Tolmie. He's underachieved during his time here and has admitted as much in an interview a while back, so hopefully he makes the right decision to stay and fight for this team.
 
For any of you old enough - I think the term false 9 - came about in 1953 - when Hideguthi played for Hungary (and Honved) against England(defeated 6-3 at Wembley
and 7-1 in Budapest.
Johnny Williamson played deep for City reserves at the beginning of 1954 season and later it became the Revie plan.
The meejah think they have found a new term - in false 9 - but it has been around well before most of them were born - lol......
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top