Weâve talked about this before - kind of revolving around why isnât it decided before the game and what do they do on the training ground? Yesterday was another example of confusion. First there were the ones with obvious opportunities on goal, when each time we had three or more players huddled around the ball apparently debating who should take the kick. Bryan was always one of those players, yet he never took one - why not? Hugo who seemed to itching to take one all evening, finally got his way for the one in the last minute and failed to clear the wall. Sorry, but Hugo is not re-nowned for his shooting at the best of times. So again, why not Bryan or even Petric (who hasnât exactly shone with his recent efforts but the position was almost the same as his goal against us in the Euros, so⦠why not?). Secondly the the free kicks in the middle of the park. Every time Kara (when he was on) rushed to take a short square pass and we either lost the ball or retreated back to Schwarzer. He really should be told to leave it and get up the field. That said heâs not alone. I canât remember the number of midfield free kicks weâve had this season when instead of threatening we quickly end up under pressure. I apologise for being negative after a great team display yesterday but itâs small things that win games and I just cannot understand why something like a set piece hasnât been sorted beforehand. Back to basics?
We had the training ground set piece, with three players involved, and it went miles over. Hugo clearly scores them in training as he is continually allowed to take them, but I'm not sure he's managed to get a single one on target yet. With Ruiz, it must be confidence I would think. He always looks our biggest threat from free kicks and has the technique to curl them in. There is a clear difference between pinging them in in training and managing to do it in the big games.
I wonder if Ruiz still has a problem with his hamstring, that's why he hasn't taken the kicks, but he seems alright taking corners.
