I've just been listening to the wonderful Trans European Express show and they described a player as being a 'proper number 9'. I suppose this refers to a more 'traditional' or 'old school' centre forward (number 9) or maybe a target man (player) who plays in the middle of the forward line and is strong in the air.It would, of course, be the opposite of a more flexible 'false 9'!

I don't think I have heard another position being described like - would we hear 'proper number 5' when referring to a centre half?