There is no place in Daniel Farke’s system for lumping balls long to a six-foot-three number nine to hold up or flick on. But in Teemu Pukki, City have a more nuanced version of the classic lone centre-forward.
The Finn, who has conquered the Championship again this season, is of average height, slim build and prides his game on movement, yet still fulfils many of the functions expected of an old-fashioned striker.
Admittedly, long balls forward to Pukki are little more than a waste of time but if alternative methods are found, the 30-year-old can do for the team what the likes of Chris Sutton and Grant Holt were good at: holding the ball up, bringing others into play, and creating space for advanced midfielders.
Pukki can’t bring an aimless hoof under control but in this current setup that isn’t what’s required. Classic long ball teams sit deep, looking for the target man to get them up the pitch just beyond the halfway line.
Although Norwich tend to play much higher up the pitch, the Finn still aids similar ball progression, as the areas he receives the ball are far more advanced than with traditional target men.
Here, in the recent 4-1 win over Stoke, Pukki drops to receive the ball with his back to goal. He’s in the classic position for an old-fashioned target man to receive the ball, but instead of it being lumped forward to him, a precise pass is played into his feet.
From this position the ex-Celtic man can find Emi Buendia in space or work the ball wide to Max Aarons, while emptying space in the Stoke backline for teammates to exploit. This passage of play eventually finished with the opening goal for the Canaries.
Here, Pukki does something similar. Slightly deeper as City look to defend their lead, Oliver Skipp’s headed clearance finds Pukki in his own half, with his back to goal. In this situation he’s vulnerable to a Stoke press, and if he loses the ball it could be fatal. A traditional target man would’ve preferred to knock this down to Mario Vrancic aerially, but because Pukki is so good with his feet he can find him from this position.
This style of target man also suits Farke’s system so perfectly because it means lay-offs are far more secure when it comes to retaining possession. Vrancic doesn’t need to deal with a bouncing ball at the risk of being tackled, and can instead pass straight out to Todd Cantwell. The space Cantwell has is again opened up by the Stoke defender pushing forward to deal with Pukki as he holds the ball up.
Here, in the 2-0 win away at Wycombe Wanderers, Pukki makes a trademark lay-off. It comes to nothing but pays dividends later in the match.
Now wary of this tendency from Pukki to change the angle by acting as a target man, five Wycombe defenders respond to his movement by drifting towards the right-hand side of the pitch.
This creates space on the left for Dimitris Giannoulis, which Buendia exploits with a long diagonal pass. As the Wycombe full-back quickly pressures the ball, space is left in the half space and City have a route into the box.
Pukki’s hold-up play isn’t only an asset in build-up play, but also when directly attempting to create chances. The number 22 is excellent at retaining the ball in the box, and his patience is key to his effectiveness in this area.
Here, against Coventry City, Pukki receives the ball deep in Sky Blue territory but at an angle with his back to goal. Underrating his strength and hold-up play, the opposition defender attempts to win the ball, allowing the striker to turn and shoot at goal.
Pukki’s importance as a technically capable focal point for City to look for is underrated. He’s a key option in the tricky but all too familiar puzzle that is breaking down a low block and is excellent at timing his movement to offer for this pass. Of all the aspects of the City striker’s game, his ability as a new kind of target man may be the most underrated.
Interesting analysis Samuel.
I can remember years ago on Sky Sports Sunday Supplement our old nemesis Martin Samuel was arguing the case for having a more mobile centre forward in the English game, and he said … when was the last time you heard the Brazilians say we have got to knock it up to the big man? I laughed at the time because in no way could I see us changing our ways.
Robert Firmino and Kun Aguero prove that to a certain extent English football has changed. They have played in the traditional striker role for the 2 most successful clubs over the last 5-6 years proving that you do not need a ” big man ” up front to be successful.
Quite how Niall Quinn, Robert Rosario or a whole bunch of old Watford centre forwards would get on into todays football is an interesting question.
There was a very good article in the excellent Football League Paper a few weeks back saying why on earth are Sheffield Wednesday hitting long balls up to Jordan Rhodes? It was suggested they keep the ball on the grass and he will score goals for them. New manager proves that correct.
With Teemu even when he was going through his lean spells there was always that thought in the back of my mind that form is temporary while class is permanent, and I had a feeling the Stoke home game may prove a turning point in the second half of his season. Thankfully it did.
I always go back to that home game against Middlesborough in our Championship winning season, when I got to the ground to hear Teemu was centre forward and Rhodes was on the bench I have to admit I thought Farke had gone mad. His running off the ball is a class apart.
And then I really saw Farkeball and how integral Teemu was going to be to the season going forward.
On a slightly different note, how many of you on here really enjoy these international breaks? I absolutely hate them. I would go back to the old days just play them in between the league games and at the end of the season.
Maybe I am just a grumpy old man 🤣
Hi Samuel. I enjoyed the read thanks. There is no doubt that Farkeball requires players all over the pitch to be capable of quick, accurate passing, great first touch control, vision to see passes, energy to press and great stamina. We can afford players that have those qualities to win games in the championship. Can we afford players that can do likewise in the Premier League? The difference for me is the physicality and speed needed in the Premier League. Having a more solid defence will help the creative players, including Pukki.
I would very much like to see more tactical varieties in Norwich playing. Today Finland plays against Ukraine and based on very short press conference Finland is playing with 2 strikers because Joel Pohjanpalo represented players there. Pohjanpalo is little bit Hugill type striker, just overall better player. Once again lineup is almost completely unknown and so is formation too. Pukki and Kamara plays always and Hradecky is goalkeeper when all are fit, but all others its very difficult to predict who plays. Against Bosnia Finland started 5-2-2-1, second half it was 5-3-1-1 and later it changed to 5-3-0-2. When Pohjanpalo plays Finland plays more long balls, basically players have to be able to adapt to any system change.
Pukki is physically strong, against Bosnia he was able to just push defender away and by that he once again got good scoring chance. People usually look way too much his appearance, now that he is bald and have beard they see him as old man. When he was younger he looked soft. He has improved his physicality and has not lost his other strengths. He is able to score headers and score longer distance goals. Those 2 areas have been lacking nowadays, Norwich obviously struggles with free kicks so why not try Pukki? I just want him to use his all skill set. Anyway many thanks for article!