I love Tottenham. Honestly I do. Why else would I put myself through this heartbreak. As I first highlighted after the Everton game here, it appears that we are just completely useless when it comes to set pieces. Especially corners. If you saw the match, could you tell me if we ever threatened from a corner, ONCE, in this Stoke match? Seems strange seeing as we seem so hell bent on winning them. (I saw VDV actually move the ball into the corner to attempt to win a corner off of a Stoke player rather than hold it up to bring another player in!?!?!) Yes, we should be winning from open play, and I'm glad that the round pegs are finally appearing in round holes, Bale on the left, VDV behind the striker, Dos Santos on the right, but surely from thirteen f'ing corners (excuse my french) can we at least get a couple of serious goal attempts?? How many times did Modric or VDV hit the 'first man' at the post. I'm no footballer, but I know you at least have to get it past him. I think it's naive to think that we can threaten anywhere near the top of the table if we can't get these basics right. We are way too wasteful. It would be refreshing if Harry said this in interviews too. It was as if Stoke didn't mind giving them away because they know we don't use them. Almost like a free punch. I was about to say that our 'successful' set pieces are almost like goals for Torres. I can't even say that anymore. Champions League?!? We're 'aving a laugh!
agreed LockStock, but to be fair, trying to score a corner against stoke is probably one of the toughest corners to score all season. They are very disciplined at the back. However, In general, I totally agree with you. we offer no threat from a corner and what's worse is that usually they don't get past the man at the front post!! although we feel we should have won, it's a vital vital point. Stoke have not been good opposition for us for a few seasons now. Let's hope we can get at least a draw at the chavs this weekend.
we 'd have to be at our best to do that,and we clearly are'nt,i can't see us getting anything,just hope i'm wrong
Our only aerial threat from set pieces is Younes (and perhaps Ledley) but when Luka and Rafa aren't clearing the first man, it's pointless sending our CB's up there, we may as well try the short ball and let someone have a crack from the edge of the box. Rafa, Bale, Benny and Niko all have great technique shooting from distance, when the set pieces clearly aren't getting the right delivery, mix it up and just have a crack.
VdV put at least 3 cracking deliveries in from corners, YK crashed one against the bar, 2nd half he put one perfectly into a space toward the back post 7yds out, sadly every white shirt had gone sheeplike to the near post, including Defoe, who you'd think as a striker would see players already there and find some space somewhere else...but no. Our movement in the box is more poor than the delivery, thats what needs addressing, Ive been saying this for ages.
They obviously don't work on any dead ball situations, either defending or attacking. Being told to "go and express yourselves" (because that's what it looks like) just isn't enough, especially when we are short of goals or the game is a tight one. They should be drilled on options for free kicks and corners until they are able to do it properly. If they **** up during a game they do it again and again. 10 or so goals from set pieces would have made a hell of a difference to our campaign. From a club that produced one of the first free kick "specialists," the mighty Hod, and a good few others down the years, it's all a little embarrassing.
that's unusual for VDV though notso, usually every corner from him and modric are P*ss poor. but agreed, movement is shocking too. The whole corner set up is, to be honest. - I won't even get started on free kicks. If we were actually dangerous from set pieces, we would be a very tough side to beat. The amount of possession we seem to average from game to game, results in us winning so many corners and freekicks, it's ridiculous. it really makes you wonder how this issue hasn't been addressed as we could be scoring vital goals from the opportunities. SOS very good point mate, we've actually got some good "strikers" of the ball and that approach would be worth exploring. Tots - i think you could be right. a draw is possible though, there's a lot at stake. I think it will be very similar to the previous game this season. Chelsea looked poor last night. We gave city a much better game away, which is encouraging going into the weekend. we showed some fight last night against stoke and we'll need that. hopefully we're seeing an end to the bad spell. massive weekend.
This is nothing new. We have been saying it for ages. Has anyone got statistics for scoring AND conceding from set pieces - We must be the worst in the country including non- league!! Actually , though I loathe to say it I think the blame lies with our CB's and especially with Ledley. He doesn't get up to head the ball. Loads of teams that score from corners score via their tall CB's who get among the oppositions defence and defending set pieces, it is not Ledley who is getting to them first (like Huth last night). Now I believe we may need Chris Samba.
Although Bale is good in the air he has the best delivery so maybe he should take the corners and stick the big lads in the box like Adebayor, King, Dawson, Kaboul, Gallas, Huddlestone, Livermore and lerts not forget Walkers goal on Saturday - What a header
It was driving me mad last night watching Modric hitting the first man time after time, I am no football genius but i can cross a dead ball clearing a 1 man wall. I agree with the earlier post, we should be playing the corners short pulling 2 of their defenders out of the box to change the angle of the cross and clear some space.
were just as bad,with Arsenal didnt they go without scoring from a corner for like 187 attempts or something like that and now they are scoring from one every other game
I've been moaning about our set pieces for years. We've never been good at them and I can not remember the last time we scored directly from one. I rememebr one a few years back v bolton (I think) and the corner was headered out of the box and Thudd smacked it in but I guess that doesn't count because it wasn't directly from the corner. I thought Bale and VDV were masters of the freekick... what happened? What is the point in Bale 'win a free kick' as he puts it if we mess it up. He might as well kick it out from a goal kick before the foul so it doesn't waste time
Very like Benny's goal from a free kick against Pool on the first day of the season a few years back. The kick went into the wall (surprise surprise) and then the follow up was perfect. Benny to take free kicks!
Harry doesn't believe in practising corners.... because he's a mug. He would probably send England to the Euro's without a any penalty practise, or even an idea of what the order would be should we have a penalty shootout. hmmmm
Charming! What about Bale, remember when he was with Southampton and wales, he was taking free kicks and scored some cracking goals. Also from what I have read, david beckham used to stay after training and practice set pieces for 30 minutes, now if one of the best dead ball specialist of our generation practices then surely players of more limited talent can stay behind instead of rushing home and breaking the speed limit to shag their wags sisters best mate.
Who'd have thought that practising something helps you to get better at it? Revolutionary. The whole process needs to be addressed. We're **** at both attacking and defending set-pieces and the coaching staff must be able to see that. If those that take them currently aren't up to the job and aren't improving, then have someone else take them.
Also, the great thing about practicing, is that it gives players more confidence as they will be thinking " i know i can get this on target" rather then "im just gonna hope this goes somewhere near the goal" as they watch the ball sail to the local chippy! Maybe we have too many ex players at our club, these people aren't coaches and im not really convinced by Kevin Bond as do any of these people actually provide arry with new ideas? or are they just yes men.
"im just gonna hope this goes somewhere near the goal" That is exactly the demeanor of the players prior to corners and free-kicks. Harry has done alot right for us, but the simple things are letting us down. Not enough squad rotation ie lennon,VDV, bale and Ade playing till they break. Not enough belief in our own tactics that we have to change to 4-4-2 half way through a season, play 3centre backs vs stevenage! and play 4-4-2 away from home vs Arsenal. No back up to Lennon and Bale when they are injured. VDV on the wing doesn't work. Luka on the wing doesn't work. Whats more, it weakens us twice! No back up for BAE and Walker???
