SK Position Guide: Striker, with Fran Kirby

Fran Kirby sets out the striker’s job in the second player instalment of the position guide series. The purpose is to score, but to do that she must be creative, bring others into the phase, hold the ball up until team-mates get up the pitch, and set the tone for the team’s pressing when defending. On the ball her first thought is whether she can go forward; off it, whether she can make a run dangerous enough to create a chance, hanging off a defender’s back shoulder so she cannot be seen. She describes evolving beyond running in behind because top opponents drop off, and analyses two goals – her World Cup toe-poke and a dribbled finish against Liverpool.