Set Pieces

[Jack D Rips]

could it be that we would be better off marking men than zones. Every time we have a set piece against from our left, its 50/50 chance of a goal.

could it be that our defence changes so often that nobody knows what they are doing?

[El Jefecito]

could it be that we would be better off marking men than zones. Every time we have a set piece against from our left, its 50/50 chance of a goal.

could it be that our defence changes so often that nobody knows what they are doing?

1st, 2nd and 3rd seasons we were among the best defending set pieces. It is odd as we've played Sami a whole bunch this year and he is real strong in the air.

[dww]

1st, 2nd and 3rd seasons we were among the best defending set pieces. It is odd as we've played Sami a whole bunch this year and he is real strong in the air.

Has he moved the zone he marks?

The only differences I see is that we now have an extra midget in the team in Mascherano than we had until mid way through last season and a less settled back 4. I suppose both could contribute (also Sissoko used to be a good front post jumper which has gone but he didn't always play so it seems unlikely that is the largest factor in play).

[Guest]

Could it be simply the fact that we're accommodating Sktrel in defense now, therefore teething problems in how we defend set pieces ?

[Jack D Rips]

Could it be simply the fact that we're accommodating Sktrel in defense now, therefore teething problems in how we defend set pieces ?

Skrtel has only played a handful of games. We've conceded 13 goals from set pieces. Every time we concede a free on the left of our box, I see a goal coming. Zonal marking may be working in normal play ( only 7 goals conceded in 26 matches), but it sure as hell is not working at set pieces

[homer1]

Could it be simply the fact that we're accommodating Sktrel in defense now, therefore teething problems in how we defend set pieces ?

Won't have helped and can only be expected but think the problems have been evident longer than that

I think it's more to do with the fact we have not had a settled back 4 this season than anything to be honest. Last year Carra & Agger were shoe ins at CB & Finnan played most games at RB - LB changed between Riise, Aurelio & Arboloa but it ws a far more settled side.

This season we have had Finnan, Arboloa & Carra at RB, Carra, Agger, Skrtel, Hyppia & Arboloa at CB and Riise, Aurelio & Arboloa at LB at various stages

Don't quite understand the zonal system bar the basics but presumably the parts of the zone you protect are determined by the position you occupy on the day - this would mean that Arboloa for example could be at the corner of the 6 yard box nearest the corner it's being taken from this week, furthest away from the kick last week and in the middle of the box the week before - has to lead to confusion

[Kenneth]

Everton are defending well and scoring from set-pieces this season, in the main. It's got them a long way.

One team spends 100million and builds up slow from the back, making 10 passes, switching the play before a silky striker beats 2 men before slotting the ball in the corner. Another gets a lower league CB on the end of a corner. Both are level on points. Football pisses me off at times.

[homer1]

Skrtel has only played a handful of games. We've conceded 13 goals from set pieces. Every time we concede a free on the left of our box, I see a goal coming. Zonal marking may be working in normal play ( only 7 goals conceded in 26 matches), but it sure as hell is not working at set pieces

Surely you only apply zonal marking at set pieces and not in open play?

[dww]

Everton are defending well and scoring from set-pieces this season, in the main. It's got them a long way.

One team spends 100million and builds up slow from the back, making 10 passes, switching the play before a silky striker beats 2 men before slotting the ball in the corner. Another gets a lower league CB on the end of a corner. Both are level on points. Football pisses me off at times.

The thing is though that we have had only one option for the beating two people lashing it home up front types this season until recently. Everton have had not just defenders but the likes of Yakubu doing a few basic things very well. There should be no reason why we can't improve on the basics and it is a huge oversight in modern football to fail to give these things due attention. We certainly in recent seasons (before this one) have nailed defensively.

[Jack D Rips]

Surely you only apply zonal marking at set pieces and not in open play?

Do you? I didnt know that.

Then zonal marking sucks IMHO

[tsb]

I wish Stevie would let a left footer take the corners from the left hand side. Teams threaten more from corners when the ball swings into the keeper.

[johnp]

I wish Stevie would let a left footer take the corners from the left hand side. Teams threaten more from corners when the ball swings into the keeper.

Tis true. I don't get why right footers take them from the rhs. Unless it's a drilled kick, they tend to float too far from the goal. It worked for Aurelio yesterday, but that's not the norm.
I don't think it's any secret, but our set pieces are still pretty poor.

[TheStig]

Surely you only apply zonal marking at set pieces and not in open play?

Nah, most if not all teams use it in open play.

Remember the "surprise" everyone had when Greece used man marking in Euro 2004?

It makes sense too, otherwise your players would be being dragged around all over the pitch by the attackers if you used man marking in open play.

[Joe King]

Maybe we should use part zonal and part man marking which has been used by some managers. The idea is that the 6 yard box is zonally marked and the best headers are man marked.

Its a very difficult system to use but it can prove successful.

[Jazzmaster]

Zonal works if it is implemented properly - look at us last season, we were always extremely good at defending set pieces. This year however has enforced changes at the back and therefore the organisation is not what it once was. Particularly with carra on the right, things are not as tight as they might be. Skrtel is new to the system, so a bit of time to adapt is necessary. Agger is injured, so Hypia, (notwithstanding his excellence), is at the helm, but his speed is found wanting, thus we often get caught by the second ball of the set piece, the closing down being a yard short.