Set-Pieces

[Craig_H]

It is staggering that a player like SG who is so superb in virtually every aspect of the game, cannot put in a decent delivery into the box.

[Rich]

It is staggering that a player like SG who is so superb in virtually every aspect of the game, cannot put in a decent delivery into the box.

Staggering, yet true. He's also a good header of the ball, and obviously excellent when shooting from distance, so why not have him in and around the box?!?

Come this summer, this magical, inventive player that we all dream about signing better be **** hot from set-pieces

[Marky]

Shocking, beyond shocking. I genuinely think i could have put in better free kicks and corners than what Gerrard did last night.
Nearly all of them hit the first man which is criminal for a professional footballer.

[Craig_H]

Just thinking about it, do we have ANYONE who you'd point to and say, yeah, he consistently delivers good balls into the box from set pieces?

We hardly EVER score from corners or crossed freekicks...ffs.

[Rich]

I think its been mentioned that Alonso probably is our best; but I wouldn't say it was a strength of his.

Murphy may have had his faults (understatement) but he could provide a good set-piece and obviously Gary Mac was sublime; but its an area we've struggled with since Rafa's been here. Contrast this with a team like Villa, which are excellent, it does make a big difference

[Marky]

Just thinking about it, do we have ANYONE who you'd point to and say, yeah, he consistently delivers good balls into the box from set pieces?

We hardly EVER score from corners or crossed freekicks...ffs.

No we don't. Bring back Danny Murphy i say.
On a serious note we'll have to bring someone in this summer that can deliver well from set pieces, they're a very important part of a match.

[Howard_lfc]

Just thinking about it, do we have ANYONE who you'd point to and say, yeah, he consistently delivers good balls into the box from set pieces?

We hardly EVER score from corners or crossed freekicks...ffs.

Is that coz we concentrate more on defending them than scoring from them do you think?

Everton must pick up 10 points a season from goals scored from corners. Ditto Man U.

[Craig_H]

Is that coz we concentrate more on defending them than scoring from them do you think?

Everton must pick up 10 points a season from goals scored from corners. Ditto Man U.

That's arguably a very fair question...

Of course, if i ask it myself, i'll be run out of the e-town that we so often frequent, so i'd best not....

The answer is yes.

[Rich]

I don't think anyone is in the position to state whether that is true, you can only assume.

Are we very good at dealing defensively with set-pieces = yes we are.
Are we very good at scoring from set-pieces = are we bollocks.

I personally think it isn't necessarily about team practice, but more about talent in deadball situations, I doubt Gerrard stays behind an hour after training to practice his technique (a la Beckham)

[Howard_lfc]

That's arguably a very fair question...

Of course, if i ask it myself, i'll be run out of the e-town that we so often frequent, so i'd best not....

The answer is yes.

Kinell syd - you cant get more ostracised (sp) than me and me old mate Masher !!!!

Feck 'em. If you've got something to say - then say it.

[Craig_H]

Kinell syd - you cant get more ostracised (sp) than me and me old mate Masher !!!!

Feck 'em. If you've got something to say - then say it.

I did say it...in a sneaky way

[dww]

Is that coz we concentrate more on defending them than scoring from them do you think?

Everton must pick up 10 points a season from goals scored from corners. Ditto Man U.

You would imagine that doing one would equate to the other in that in training surely someone has to take the set pieces for the others to defend. Maybe the problem is that we do it too routinely and so the invention aspect gets lost?

I think Gerrard takes them as no one else really stands out as good enough to take the rule off him. For England Beckham used to have all set pieces without any argument but we simply don't have anyone that dedicated to become a specialist. I really think that free kicks are an area of the game that one or two players can work on by themselves if they so desired. In a way I think that the fact no one appears to have the nack of it indicates a lack or a certain kind of self possessed obsessive in any of our attacking players which is also expressed in a lack of tricks and guile in the final third at times. People like Beckham and Zola used to practice freekicks for hours on there own apparently, after training, and it showed.

[le2red]

1) Practise taking the fckin things for more than 2 minutes a day
2) Hire a set piece specialist to coach the players on taking them
3) Look at using coaches from other sports, such as Rugby, American football, where set plays are critical
4) Practise taking the fckin things for more than 2 minutes a day
5) When defending a corner DON'T have all 11 players back in our own box
6) Practise taking the fckin things for more than 2 minutes a day