Are We Too Quick to Bin Our Strikers?

We all love a striker who bangs in goals, but is the abuse aimed at forwards fair? A look at why strikers take heat, what they actually bring beyond finishes, and why patience matters.

To get straight to the point: strikers take the blame because they're easy to blame. Fans spot chances missed, they remember the big moments and forget the small, ugly work that keeps a team ticking. You can understand the frustration, but the truth is more nuanced than just goals scored.

Why strikers always take the heat

Goals are the currency of football. When one goes begging the headlines and the terrace chatter focus on the man up front. It’s human nature. A striker can do everything right for 89 minutes and one miss colours the whole conversation. Add in high expectations at a place like Ibrox and the criticism becomes amplified.

There’s also the theatre of it. A forward is isolated, all eyes on them in the box. Defenders and midfielders can hide in the shape, but the striker stands in the spotlight. So folk vent — sometimes fairly, often not.

What else a striker brings beyond goals

To be fair, a central forward’s job isn’t only about finishing. Hold-up play, bringing others into the game, working the channels, pressing defenders and creating space are all part of the role. Those contributions don’t show up on a simple goals tally, but they change the way the team functions.

Sometimes a striker’s value is subtle: dragging a centre-back out of position to free a winger, or offering an outlet to relieve pressure. Fans notice the misses but often miss the little details that win you matches over a season.

Fans, patience and perspective

It’s fair to demand standards. It’s also fair to give time for a player to settle, especially young signings or those asked to do different jobs in the system. Patience isn’t about accepting poor performances forever — it’s about recognising pattern and context.

I’m not saying every striker should be immune from criticism. Far from it. But if we bin people after a handful of poor showings we risk losing the very cohesion that brings trophies. A bit of perspective from the stands wouldn’t go amiss — and who knows, the forward you’re moaning at this month might be the one making the difference come the end of the season.

Written by Angus1812: 17 May 2026