Why are we so p--- poor at free kicks and corners. Against Liverpool we had free kicks in great positions - we had Bale, Modric, VDV all great strikers of a dead ball. None could either get it on target or over the wall. Do they not practice this? We have been like this for years.
Our free kicks are poor but I wouldn't say our corners are too bad though, the delivery's pretty good it's just the people in the box clearly aren't attacking it well, though Kaboul did head in from a corner against City.
It's not just us. Whenever I'm watching a game live, or on MOTD, the number of corners that don't even clear the first defender, is ridiculous. If you can't even accurately clear the first defender, then let somebody who can, do the job.
Is it a lost art, I remember Gazza ( Vs Goons @ wembley) and Hoddle took great free kicks. But I think its a case of they just don't seem to have the desire to execute them well because I know they have the skill.
I think in general the defences nowadays are a lot more organised and professional (yeah, i know they ARE pro, but i can't think of a better word) nowadays even compared to 10 years ago. This improved organisation has resulted in them being better and defending set pieces which they must practice regularly. This in turn, i believe, has led to the set piece takers trying to do more and more with their delivery. More bend, more pace etc etc which leads to them fluffing it more regularly. Back in the day any old ball into the box was dangerous, but its bread and butter for defences nowadays. Thats how i see it anyway
Does VDV have it written into his contract that he has to take every corner and freekick? He certainly seems to think so.
A properly taken corner, or free kick, whipped in with pace, curve, and accuracy, is stiil dangerous to any defence - no matter how organised. It just seems that there are not that meny proficient proponents of the art, at the moment. Like I said earlier, half of them can't even seem to clear the first defender.
Yeah, but i think they are not proficient because they are trying to put too much on it due to the improvements in defending set pieces. I bet Andy Hinchcliffe wouldn't have nearly as much success nowadays as he did in 1995
When I was a youngster playing at centre back, I took the corners because I was the only one that could kick it far enough into the box so I sympathise eith the problems these millionaire proffessionals face
I'd love to see some stats of how many direct free kicks EPL teams score. Or goals indirectly from them or corners. Because Spurs are properly poor at them. I mean - has Bale actually scored one yet? I honestly thought that a massive reason we bought Bentley must have been for his free kicks. Cos ours have been appalling since, oh, Ziege? Or am I inventing fake memories?
It always annoys me during free kicks when you see the opposition's wall taking a few cheeky steps closer. I know we do it to other teams as well. I'm guessing back in the 80s/early 90s (before my time) this didn't occur so often?
He got one when he first signed for us, Lenny. Makes you wonder why his set-pieces appear to have got worse, really. [video=youtube;feZ2uOKEKa8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feZ2uOKEKa8[/video] I like the spray paint line idea to stop players from edging forward, SWS. I really don't see a downside to it.
David Beckham proved that you don't need to hit hard just enough to get over the wall or round it and if you have the accuracy you will hit the target more often.
PNP: Ah yes - of course I remember that goal. It was weird how he got sidelined despite it being obvious those first few games how good he was. At least Harry saw his potential when, er, BAE was injured and he had no choice but to play him. The trouble with the spray paint idea is that it is simple, is used successfully in other sports, would be easy to implement and would only help successfully uphold the rules of the game. There is no way FIFA or UEFA could possibly approve. Maybe if the manufacturer of the spray paint canisters was mates with Blatter or Platini...
Actually I really don't like the spray paint idea: the real issue for me is the defenders ability to delay the taking of free kicks - why should they have time to line up a wall, they are the team being punished. The spray paint cements into the laws that there has to be such a delay. The right change is to allow free kicks to be taken at any time after they have been awarded from any point not nearer to the goal. Any defender touching the ball within 10 yards should be yellow carded and a new free kick awarded 10 yards nearer the goal, including upgrading to a penalty if necessary.
I'm surprised Beckham didn't teach our lads a few more free kick tips,or maybe they just couldn't do what he could.
This is very true. If the defenders are in the 'right' place then the most dangerous place to put the ball is where they can just not get it. If you aim there then you will let them intercept it about half the time which will look like rubbish, but when you do miss them you will have a good chance to score. This is true of many sports - to beat Djokovic at tennis you need to put the ball very near the lines which means you will miss a lot, but that is still better than letting him return every one......
PBH - maybe that's one of the reasons Harry wants him around. He is without doubt one of the best dead ball specialist Britain has produced in the modern era.
Well Harry thinks they are 'a lottery'. If they were we would win half on average. Perhaps suggests that others prepare for them and we don't (no point in preparing for a lottery because you only win half the time anyway)
You might well be right.I'm sure 1/3 against Liverpool would have atleast needed a great save to stop it.
