Question about zonal marking...

[Nick77]

I just hate the fact that when we have a set-piece to defend EVERY player is behind the ball & sometimes because there are too many players defending in the box they get in each others way. We ALWAYS have more defenders than opposing attackers when we defend set pieces - why can't we leave just 1 player up on the halfway line?

[Shaggy]

I just hate the fact that when we have a set-piece to defend EVERY player is behind the ball & sometimes because there are too many players defending in the box they get in each others way. We ALWAYS have more defenders than opposing attackers when we defend set pieces - why can't we leave just 1 player up on the halfway line?

I hate that too. I love Rafa but this is one of my complaints about him.

[Joe King]

I hate that too. I love Rafa but this is one of my complaints about him.

It is the over cautious he has in football. The 'safe than sorry' approach. We have really quick players in the side in order for us to counter. Its a shame all eleven are in the box.

[Cormack74]

I just hate the fact that when we have a set-piece to defend EVERY player is behind the ball & sometimes because there are too many players defending in the box they get in each others way. We ALWAYS have more defenders than opposing attackers when we defend set pieces - why can't we leave just 1 player up on the halfway line?

I always wonder if leaving more men on the half way line would actually work as a defensive ploy.

ie if we had 5 players loitering there, surely the oppo would have 5 or 6 defending against them rather than standing in our penalty area.

I know this would leave a lot of space in our box for their attackers but then that's no different to what happens during a regular attack anyway.

[Craig_H]

It is the over cautious he has in football. The 'safe than sorry' approach. We have really quick players in the side in order for us to counter. Its a shame all eleven are in the box.

In some ways, it'd be safer to leave someone on the halfway line, as it'd occupy two of their players and leave us with less people to worry about in our box.

[Resu]

I always wonder if leaving more men on the half way line would actually work as a defensive ploy.

ie if we had 5 players loitering there, surely the oppo would have 5 or 6 defending against them rather than standing in our penalty area.

I know this would leave a lot of space in our box for their attackers but then that's no different to what happens during a regular attack anyway.

My norwegian club Viking uses three players at the half-way line occasionally.
They usually do this when three specific players are on at the same time, all off them are quick attackers that cannot defend/are weak in the air. This forces the opponents to have at least three, most often four players back to defend.
As far as can remember the effect of this hasn`t been great, but it hasn`t had a great negative effect either.
The one thing it does is forcing the opponents to alter their preferred set-up for a corner, something that can be effective if used a couple of times in a match. A draw-back is that the zones get bigger in a zonal marking system, and that zones might have to be changed, something that everybody needs to be aware off.

[Howard_lfc]

Look at the amount of goals we've conceded from free kicks and corners. Very few teams play through us to score.

By the same token - we need to improve our conversion ratio from free kicks and corners.

More work to be done on these areas me thinks.

[Cormack74]

My norwegian club Viking uses three players at the half-way line occasionally.
They usually do this when three specific players are on at the same time, all off them are quick attackers that cannot defend/are weak in the air. This forces the opponents to have at least three, most often four players back to defend.
As far as can remember the effect of this hasn`t been great, but it hasn`t had a great negative effect either.
The one thing it does is forcing the opponents to alter their preferred set-up for a corner, something that can be effective if used a couple of times in a match. A draw-back is that the zones get bigger in a zonal marking system, and that zones might have to be changed, something that everybody needs to be aware off.

Interesting example and a shame that we don't see more tactical innovation in the prem. The so called "best league in the world".

The point you make about forcing the opponent away from doing something that they prefer is a particularly good reason to try stuff like this.

[kopdan]

I use tight marking Syd. But make sure closing down is set to a low setting.

Kim Kallstrom is ace m8!

[Joe King]

Look at the amount of goals we've conceded from free kicks and corners. Very few teams play through us to score.

By the same token - we need to improve our conversion ratio from free kicks and corners.

More work to be done on these areas me thinks.

We don't concede directly from corners and free kicks but we have trouble clearing our lines. Aston Villa comes to mind.

[badpiggy]

I just hate the fact that when we have a set-piece to defend EVERY player is behind the ball & sometimes because there are too many players defending in the box they get in each others way. We ALWAYS have more defenders than opposing attackers when we defend set pieces - why can't we leave just 1 player up on the halfway line?

under mourinho, chelsea had a way of counterattacking with serious pace even though they packed em in defensively on set pieces. can work well if you have dangerous quick players all facing in the direction they need to go in to cause problems.

[Jaymo]

i am pretty sure the little fellas pick the bits up, like they defend inbetween each zone.. but to be honest im not certain

[Howard_lfc]

We don't concede directly from corners and free kicks but we have trouble clearing our lines. Aston Villa comes to mind.

I know what you mean but Wigan (H), Reading (A), Villa (H), Havant (H), Everton (A), Man U (H) ......

[Shaggy]

I know what you mean but Wigan (H), Reading (A), Villa (H), Havant (H), Everton (A), Man U (H) ......

Not popped into the Mascherano thread yet mate?

[Howard_lfc]

On t'other site I have - but not since monday Shags.

You may have even read the posts where I've said he's been our most consistent player of late Nothing and nobody will change my mind about paying that kind of money for a holding midfielder when we're already well stocked and we crying out for creativity and wide players.

He was excellent retrieving possession again last night. Worked his proverbial argentinian bollocks off.