Corners and Free Kicks

[portugull]

I have been watching Professional Football for 65 years but if I had a chat to Gary or Aaron it would be about set pieces.

In a very competitive League this is one area we should be concentrating on to take advantage of the opposition.

Every match I am hoping for more invention, a few surprises but no on the whole we persist with the norm. Defenders know what to expect.

Gary does use one move on free kicks which occasionally nearly results in a goal.

How about on the Forum we have a competition, no prizes, to find the best Set Piece Goal of the week?

Any takers?

[nickbrod]

Agree, our corner routine is pretty predictable. In fact I'd go so far as saying the last time it was decent was when Kevin Hill took them!
Little is currently our free kick specialist - but is he?
Set pieces done well can win you the game.

[Bigman]

Our set pieces yesterday were terrible, had so many in good positions but only made one chance out of them all game. In fact 2 sailed straight out of play, 1 from Little, 1 Whitfield, must've been so annoying for the centre backs coming all the way up the pitch for that.

[portugull]

Bigman your comment really emphasises why I started this thread.
We have to work a lot harder on set pieces.
Bigger clubs have statisticians who provide data but we can do this by studying the videos.
How many of our 29 goals have come from a corner?
How many of our 29 goals have been scored from a direct free kick or from an indirect free kick?
How many training ground moves do we practice every time we train?
Who is our best player to take free kicks and corners.
Free kicks is it Armani Little, Jake Andrews or Ben Whitfield?
Corners for me Ben Whitfield.
You tube is a goldmine of data from set piece goals worldwide.
I am convinced if we become the kings of the set piece it will make a big difference.
We do have the players but it takes a huge amount of practice to be the best.
Just ask Ronaldo?

[portugull]

nickbrod is right "set pieces done well can win you the game"
Perhaps I should ask Gary if I can come to training as an observer???

[Uptongull]

One thing about corners that really grates on me is the lofted ball to the back post we always try and go for. The target man is usually back-pedalling when he connects with the ball so it ends up having no power and looping into the goalie's hands. Anyone else noticed this tactic?

What's wrong with an inswinger fizzed in every once in a while. It really is something we need to work on.

But as Gary says, if we notice it on the terrace you can bet he notices it too.