The psychological importance of number 9 and why Iran ignores it

[Paradigm]

Today Lukaku and Kane (both number 9s) scored braces for Belgium and England respectively. Their teams walked away with 3 points on match day 1.

[OzzyOscy]

Today Lukaku and Kane (both number 9s) scored braces for Belgium and England respectively. Their teams walked away with 3 points on match day 1.

That would be because they are their team's main strikers and goalscorers.

There are a lot of #9 strikers that haven't scored and a lot of lone strikers with different numbers that have scored.

This is utterly ridiculous.

[Babak agha]

When numbers were introduced in the 1933 English FA Cup final, one of the two centre-forwards that day wore the number nine – Everton's Dixie Dean a strong, powerful forward who had set the record for the most goals scored in a season in English football during the 1927–28 season. The number would then become synonymous with the centre-forward position (only worn that day because one team was numbered 1–11 whilst the other was numbered 12–22).

[OzzyOscy]

Another fun fact is a few managers in history have simply numbered their team in alphabetical order, sometimes giving outfield players with 'A' at the start of their surname the #1 shirt.

[OzzyOscy]

Today Lukaku and Kane (both number 9s) scored braces for Belgium and England respectively. Their teams walked away with 3 points on match day 1.

Since we're going day by day but you've gone quiet, I'll look at what happened today to find out why:

Today there were 10 goals and every team scored.

Colombia's #9, lone star striker Falcao, didn't score.

Poland's #9, superstar lone striker Lewandowski, didn't score.

Senegal's #9 striker and Egypt's #9 lone striker didn't score.

Japan's #15 lone striker scored, their #9 didn't.

Russia's #22 lone striker scored, as did their #6 winger.

The theory is dead.

[OzzyOscy]

It has a psychological and functional value. The opposite defense always marks a forward marked number 9, opening up spaces up for others to score. Don't expect an aircraft carrier that can use steam catapult to launch jets at night switch to vertical take off aircraft. Because while the latter still fly and land on deck, they come with tactical limitations.

So #9s are more likely to score because they have a certain number on their back, but they're not expected to score because defenders choose to mark players by number rather than position and who's actually wearing the shirt.

This is proven by two #9s scoring two days ago, but not disproven yesterday when NO #9s scored for any of the teams, but players with defender numbers #22 and #6, and a lone striker with #15, all got goals.

How convenient.

[OzzyOscy]

Suarez #9 scored the lone goal of the match today to send his team into the round of 16.

Since we're going day by day but you've gone quiet, I'll look at what happened today to find out why:

Today there were 10 goals and every team scored.

Colombia's #9, lone star striker Falcao, didn't score.

Poland's #9, superstar lone striker Lewandowski, didn't score.

Senegal's #9 striker and Egypt's #9 lone striker didn't score.

Japan's #15 lone striker scored, their #9 didn't.

Russia's #22 lone striker scored, as did their #6 winger.

The theory is dead.

[OzzyOscy]

Ok, but I win today if Ebrahimi scores.

You think Ebrahimi thinks he's a striker or will score if he wears a #9 shirt?

You realise these are adult humans you're talking about, right? This is bizarre.

[Paradigm]

Which PGL clubs this season have a reliable centeral striker who is designated with a number 9 jersey?

[ferdowsi]

Which PGL clubs this season have a reliable centeral striker who is designated with a number 9 jersey?

The only "reliable" number 9 I can think of is Torabi, but not a central striker. Shahbazzadeh is decent number 9 and central striker but whether or not he will be reliable remains to be seen. I wouldn't put my money on it.

[Paradigm]

The only "reliable" number 9 I can think of is Torabi, but not a central striker. Shahbazzadeh is decent number 9 and central striker but whether or not he will be reliable remains to be seen. I wouldn't put my money on it.

Good to see Iran now has a fairly reliable number 9 (Taremi). I also hope that the PGL clubs start to use it for central forwards... A consistent numbering method is useful in tactical planning.