Everyone behind the ball

[Alain Perrin]

I think we are the architects of our own demise when trying to defend setplays. I know we are ropey at the back, but why pull everyone behind the ball? Surely far better to leave a couple of players upfield, forcing the opposition to defend against a possible breakaway rather than allowing them all to attack the corner / cross.

 

I don't actually think the problem is with the players (granted we could always have better defenders), more with people not knowing their roles in defending a corner.

 

It is a pity, the team can play well and lose because of silly mistakes.

[Fowllyd]

I think we are the architects of our own demise when trying to defend setplays. I know we are ropey at the back, but why pull everyone behind the ball? Surely far better to leave a couple of players upfield, forcing the opposition to defend against a possible breakaway rather than allowing them all to attack the corner / cross.

 

I don't actually think the problem is with the players (granted we could always have better defenders), more with people not knowing their roles in defending a corner.

 

It is a pity, the team can play well and lose because of silly mistakes.

 

But how the hell can they not know their roles at corners (or free kicks)? It beggars belief that this could be the case so far into the season.

[Graffito]

Organising a defence and defending set pieces ought to be the easiest things to coach and to fix when they go wrong. You wonder what on earth the coaching team does all day on the training pitch.

 

Likewise, surely we had Watford watched? Their most "creative" tactic was placing the big bruiser at the back on our goal line when they had a throw in within throwing distance.

 

As an aside, so much for the multi ball system when we had a referee that allowed Watford to delay throw ins until the great lummox trundled up the pitch.

[Whitey Grandad]

But how the hell can they not know their roles at corners (or free kicks)? It beggars belief that this could be the case so far into the season.

The evidence is there for all to see, so believe it.

[paulwantsapint]

Agree leave Lallana on half way line to allow quick counter attacks

 

mid 90s MLT & Iain Dowie never went anywhere near our box ( ok so neither could run ) so opposition had to leave 2/3 players back

 

I hate having all 11 players around our box at set plays the less defenders the more room for KD to make saves

[derry]

Agree leave Lallana on half way line to allow quick counter attacks

 

mid 90s MLT & Iain Dowie never went anywhere near our box ( ok so neither could run ) so opposition had to leave 2/3 players back

 

I hate having all 11 players around our box at set plays the less defenders the more room for KD to make saves

 

Nearly there, if the two players left up, hug both touchlines, it either leaves one on one, or the opposition have to leave at least three and possibly four defenders back, to avoid being exploited.

 

It also needs the quickest players left up. Always of course if/when the defenders win the ball they welly it wide and get out quick.

[stevegrant]

I've been confused about this for ages. Bringing 11 men back to defend a set-piece just seems complete nonsense. Even if you clear the ball, as you've got no outlet up front, the ball's just going to come straight back at you, so in effect they've got two chances to put a decent cross into the box.

 

It's not just this season we've been doing it though, I've noticed us do this for years... even in the Premier League we were defending set-pieces with all 11 players back helping out. To be fair, I've also noticed that a lot of opposition teams do it as well, so there's obviously *something* that makes teams do it, but on the face of it, it does seem a very strange tactic to employ.

[Whitey Grandad]

I've been confused about this for ages. Bringing 11 men back to defend a set-piece just seems complete nonsense. Even if you clear the ball, as you've got no outlet up front, the ball's just going to come straight back at you, so in effect they've got two chances to put a decent cross into the box.

 

It's not just this season we've been doing it though, I've noticed us do this for years... even in the Premier League we were defending set-pieces with all 11 players back helping out. To be fair, I've also noticed that a lot of opposition teams do it as well, so there's obviously *something* that makes teams do it, but on the face of it, it does seem a very strange tactic to employ.

I hate it too. I seem to remember it started with Merrington. I discussed this with Ivan Golac once (he used to be a neighbbour) and he said that he liked to leave three men up front so that the opposition had to put four defenders on them. If you have less people in the penalty area it makes it easier to sort out who does what and it leaves room for the keeper to come and collect the ball. If your centre-forward (if you have one) is a big six-footer then it can make sense for him to mark his counterpart and normally the pre-match briefing will detail personal responsibilities for each player but when you have a teamful of shorties I suppose it doesn't make much difference really.

[slickmick]

I hate it too. I seem to remember it started with Merrington. I discussed this with Ivan Golac once (he used to be a neighbbour) and he said that he liked to leave three men up front so that the opposition had to put four defenders on them. If you have less people in the penalty area it makes it easier to sort out who does what and it leaves room for the keeper to come and collect the ball. If your centre-forward (if you have one) is a big six-footer then it can make sense for him to mark his counterpart and normally the pre-match briefing will detail personal responsibilities for each player but when you have a teamful of shorties I suppose it doesn't make much difference really.

 

 

If ever there was a type of player this team cried out for, its Golac.