FALSE 9

An attacker whose starting position is as a centre-forward. From there the attacker will drift into a deeper position, at times almost operating as an attacking midfielder but also just as likely to be found out wide, locating pockets of space and leaving the opposition centre-backs without anyone to mark directly. False 9's are brilliantly gifted all-round attackers who possess excellent movement off the ball, both in terms of making passing options for others as well as getting in behind and are great killer passers. In the 1930s, the Austrian national team also known as the 'Wunderteam', played their star player Matthias Sindelar as a withdrawn center forward. Sindelar was one of the first strikers who dropped deep to create havoc among defences. Then there was the great Hungarian team of the 50s with Nandor Hidegkuti as the deep lying forward. In the modern game, this role saw a resurgence in the form of Lionel Messi who operated as a False 9 under Pep Guardiola's management.

INSIDE FORWARD

An archaic term popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries. to describe an attacker who would support the Centre-Forward, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes. The role is broadly analogous to the "hole" or second striker position in the modern game, although here there were two such players, known as inside right and inside left. There is no longer a W-M formation utilised at the top level so this position has become defunct but do not rule out this coming back into vogue. Prominent examples would include Ferenc Puskas.

SECOND STRIKER

Second or support strikers do not tend to get as involved in the orchestration of attacks as the Number 10, but they remain experts at bringing other players into play, sharing the burden of playmaking responsibility, functioning predominantly as assist providers. The very best in this role tend to outscore even the greatest Centre-Forwards, masters of exploiting the surprise element this role endows them with. In Italy, this role is known as a "rifinitore" or "seconda punta", whereas in Brazil, it is known as "segundo atacante". The second striker is usually prodigiously gifted, dynamic with the ball and possesses a flair for the spectacular. Prominent examples include Pele and Rivaldo.