Set pieces

[stevenurse]

Looking back at the season so far, we've conceded 7 goals as a result of a set piece. 6 corners and 1 free kick.

Surely after last season that would have been something to look at? The amount of goals that are scored directly as a result of a set piece are relatively small, so complaining of scoring from them is one thing, but having just over a third of the goals conceded this season coming from them is a concern.

It's such a basic and essential aspect of the game, especially as we have the majority of the ball in most games, if we give away a sloppy goal from a corner it can throw the game plan out of the window immediately.

The crap teams in this league, Stoke etc will rely on these situations to score against us and we haven't seemingly learnt our lesson yet.

It's all the more baffling when a majority of the time the entire team are back defending

 

[Shadydan]

It's almost as if we've been missing Toby for his defensive organisation and Victor for his sheer presence in the box But you're right of course it's a short term concern we just have to manage and hope that those two have a speedy recovery and return to the team ASAP.

 

[coys200]

Funny was just looking at city 1st. Baffling what winks was thinking Just doesn’t move. But also have to wonder why our smallest weakest player is the central spare man. Also Lloris not sure if he is dominant enough and should come for more.The Gundogan header was almost on 6 yrd line pretty central. I’m no goal keeping coach but you’d think Lloris could have got there first.

 

[stevenurse]

It's almost as if we've been missing Toby for his defensive organisation and Victor for his sheer presence in the box But you're right of course it's a short term concern we just have to manage and hope that those two have a speedy recovery and return to the team ASAP.

I get your point but from corners it shouldn't go to shit because of one player. Everyone should know their job and stick to it. It's not as if we are being done by clever routines. It's literally players being unmarked.

With Dier, Vertonghen, Davies, Dele, Dembele, Kane all above 6ft we shouldn't be having as much trouble as we currently are.

The goals we've given away haven't been because of a lack of physicality, it's free headers and unmarked players.

I really hope there's evidently a clear effort to address this in the coming weeks. We can't afford to give away stupid points because we switch off from a corner

 

[Janice]

Old spurs reappearing. Always used to,concede soft goals from corners letting,the opponent in the game we were probably dominating and out classing them footie wise

Never ever used to score from 20 corners a match either

 

[jolsnogross]

It's almost as if we've been missing Toby for his defensive organisation and Victor for his sheer presence in the box But you're right of course it's a short term concern we just have to manage and hope that those two have a speedy recovery and return to the team ASAP.

It's a long-term concern because it's much more important than relying on two players. It is exactly the idea of waiting for others to sort it out that is the crux of the problem. The ethic is wrong because people simply aren't taking responsibility to win the ball. We need everyone to aggressively try to win the ball, not have designated people with 'sheer presence'.

It is a joke that our own set pieces are so unproductive while ones against us aren't...but that's not a quirky coincidence. They are directly related to each other and we're simply not matching or exceeding our opponents hunger to get on the end of the set-piece, whether we're defending or attacking them.

 

[Shadydan]

I get your point but from corners it shouldn't go to shit because of one player. Everyone should know their job and stick to it. It's not as if we are being done by clever routines. It's literally players being unmarked.

With Dier, Vertonghen, Davies, Dele, Dembele, Kane all above 6ft we shouldn't be having as much trouble as we currently are.

The goals we've given away haven't been because of a lack of physicality, it's free headers and unmarked players.

I really hope there's evidently a clear effort to address this in the coming weeks. We can't afford to give away stupid points because we switch off from a corner

I think Toby's defence organisation is very understated which is why we've looked out of sorts and not just from set pieces. We had the best defence in the last two years and our defence has gone to shit each time he's been out injured which suggests why we may be suffering from a lack of confidence when the ball goes in the box.

 

[coys200]

Yup our lack of results from set pieces is appalling. We get so many corners because most games we dominate. To score from so few especially with our height is terrible.

 

[Shadydan]

It's a long-term concern because it's much more important than relying on two players. It is exactly the idea of waiting for others to sort it out that is the crux of the problem. The ethic is wrong because people simply aren't taking responsibility to win the ball. We need everyone to aggressively try to win the ball, not have designated people with 'sheer presence'.

It is a joke that our own set pieces are so unproductive while ones against us aren't...but that's not a quirky coincidence. They are directly related to each other and we're simply not matching or exceeding our opponents hunger to get on the end of the set-piece, whether we're defending or attacking them.

Which isn't exclusive to us...It will generally happen when you lose two of your better players, unfortunately we've lost two defensive players which made such a difference at set pieces then it's little wonder we're going to be exposed.

 

[jolsnogross]

Which isn't exclusive to us...It will generally happen when you lose two of your better players, unfortunately we've lost two defensive players which made such a difference at set pieces then it's little wonder we're going to be exposed.

Fair enough. But Ilkay Gundogan isn't known for his aggressive set-piece prowess. We shouldn't need a hulking Wanyama or a chief organizer Toby to get a head to that first. And presumably some of our 7 set-piece concessions happened while Toby was available? Is Harry Winks willing to try and win a header from a set piece, or is he just there to get in the way if it's coming into his space?

I think the situation would improve with Vic & Toby in there, but it's a collective issue. If Winks, Alli, Lloris and others don't fancy it, then the ball will invariable find itself heading in their direction.

 

[Tyler24durden]

I was told a couple of years ago that we don’t work on set pieces and that the players don’t like heading the ball.

I dismissed this even though it came from a decent source but have little evidence to disprove it seeing how poor we are both attacking and defending set pieces.

We even seem to mark ourselves when attacking!!

 

[Tyler24durden]

Hire Pulis as a defensive coach would make a lot of sense.

 

[Gb160]

Hire Pulis as a defensive coach would make a lot of sense.

Jesus Christ.

 

[tiger666]

I was told a couple of years ago that we don’t work on set pieces and that the players don’t like heading the ball.

 

[stevenurse]

I couldn't believe the heading the ball thing, but maybe we haven't seen set pieces as a concern. If that's the case it's time to sort this shit out.

It's happening too often to be an anomaly. Even players like Winks, Son etc who aren't physical powerhouses will have a part to play. Even just to occupy space and not allow players to run at the ball.

If they spent a couple of hours a week instead of playing golf and fifa and got organised, we wouldn't concede half as many simple goals. Simplistic I know but it's the truth.

 

[dagraham]

Jesus Christ.

Nice suggestion, but don’t think that would be the best idea.

His record with crosses leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Gb160]

Nice suggestion, but don’t think that would be the best idea.

His record with crosses leaves a lot to be desired.

I'll set 'em up... you tap 'em in!

 

[ardiles]

Jesus Christ.

Doubt so. He’s busy getting ready for his birthday celebrations next week.

 

[shelfboy68]

Not just confined to set pieces look at the west ham game in the league conceded two headers from open play due to general sloppy play.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

Not just confined to set pieces look at the west ham game in the league conceded two headers from open play due to general sloppy play.

Thankfully this threads about set pieces though, eh?