How do you defend against height?

[lamby]

If Zigic plays tomorrow what tactics should we use? What's the best way to deal with exceptionally tall strikers? Can't recall many games where we have faced this issue. Vaguely recall seeing Flo play against us for Chelsea, not sure abpout Crouch.Any others?

 

[Imsaintsme]

Cut off the supply from the wings (fullbacks and midfield), mark him tightly. Try and a get a jump on him early. From corners and set pieces, one man infront, one man behind...,,..and a bit of luck!

 

[fatletiss]

A Goalie has an extra 3' in arm length... unfortunately coming for crosses isn't our goailie's favourite thing

 

[Gordon Gekko]

keep raking studs down his calf, jump early on him. One man block, another head....

 

[RickieLambertsGoldenBoot]

I can see Birmingham getting a pen this weekend...

 

[Saints Fan4Life]

Put Aaron Martin on stilts. Simples.

 

[(Conor)]

Put Aaron Martin on stilts. Simples.

Whilst wearing platform boots.

 

[pass the football]

Play a high defensive line. That way any headers he wins will be far from the goal, or he'll be offside. Doesn't help corners though!

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

Zigic is good at headers, whereas Crouch was only ok. However, don't fear too much...he had an exceptional game...if he did this regularly he'd be playing for ManU or Chelsea. (couldn't find smilie for crossed fingers!).

 

[Jack H]

Buy taller defenders or piggy backs?

 

[tomw24]

Don't concede any corners!

 

[West Kent Saint]

poke his eyes out!

 

[SAINTDON13]

The anti Lambert wrestle seems an effective way to stop a striker, the Officials never see it happening do they?

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

The anti Lambert wrestle seems an effective way to stop a striker, the Officials never see it happening do they?

They'd never spot Connolly if he grabbed Zigic round the ankles.

 

[Saintjoey]

They'd never spot Connolly if he grabbed Zigic round the ankles.

Isn't that why we splashed out on Sharp?!

 

[redandwhitecomrade]

wait for him to jump and throw yourself at his elbow, go down holding your face and wait for the ref to brandish that red card. Sorted.

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

Seem to remember that Crouch gave away nonexistent fouls because of his height. He was often said to have played dangerously only because his legs were often at head height.

 

[redandwhitecomrade]

Seem to remember that Crouch gave away nonexistent fouls because of his height. He was often said to have played dangerously only because his legs were often at head height.

And if the opposition (IE us) make a meal of it every time and go down... there's a good chance that he won't be winning too many headers without conceding a foul.

we need to dive, cheat, and do anything to win.

 

[fran-MLs little camera]

Or we could play at our best and win naturally.

 

[redandwhitecomrade]

Or we could play at our best and win naturally.

sometimes we can't do that... I've seen many a game where we try to play fairly and the opposition continually dive, kick, and get away with it.

like the cardiff game when Lala gave the ball back to the cardiff keeper, when having no obligation to do so on the premise of fair play.

nothing said he couldn't quickly run with it (there was one defender) and round the goalkeeper to score... he had a one on one opportunity right there.

screw fair play, we could've beaten cardiff and got 3 points... which is worth far more than honour.

**** fair play, results are what matters, kick, tackle, scrape 1-0 wins... THATS how you get out of the lower divisions