Can't Lennon hit a decent cross from an immobile ball? His crossing isn't his best asset generally, but I've always felt that's because he's moving at 100mph, more than anything. Perhaps we need more a little more innovation, like the old Sheringham corner? We can't do normal corners well, so maybe we should do them differently?
Modric Bale and VDV are all players you want around for the knockdown or when the ball breaks loose. Never saw sense in any of them taking corners. Whoever does it,(and somebody needs to be found) we need to work out some drills on the training pitch. We may as well give the opposition the ball back when we get a free kick in the final third or a corner right now.
I'd have Bale in the box, VDV lurking outside and Modric and either Benny or Walker to take the corner between them. I'm guessing there's a reason that no one does this though.
Aren't the full-backs normally left near the halfway line, in case the other side breaks? The centre-halves are in the box, so someone's got to be back there. I guess we could just leave Parker+1, unless that's over-committing to the set-piece.
POstiga above said that it's been a problem since Ginola and he's right. It was the one thing that excited me about Bentley coming was that we might score one or two (or even threaten to). I really hope there isn't some philosophy at work whereby goals from free-kicks are not focussed on cos it's not Harry's free-flowing way (though the problem dates back to before his time). If that Villa statistic below is true that's amazing. I've often wondered how many goals other teams get from set-pieces compared to us. It's just been so frustrating in recent seasons because when we had Gomes in goal every corner and free kick against us felt really dangerous but when we had one you knew nothing would come of it. That's quite annoying. We've definitely got the players to make something of them.
The other area we apparently have a major problem with is teaching Ade and JD how to remain onside until AFTER the free-kick has been delivered. Seriously, on the odd occasions that the set-piece is actually any good, it usually comes to nothing b/c our strikers don't believe in the offside rule.
Usually Parker and Benny stay back since most teams leave one striker about 10/15 yards into their own half. Walker or Parker usually lurks for any clearances that don't make it to the sole striker that's not in the box.
There is little imagination used at set pieces. Walls!: Station a player the other end of the 'wall' pass it to him where he will a shot past the wall. Free Kicks: Anybody remember the kick where the player addressing the ball stood astride it then jumped with ball between his feet for his team mate to hit it on the volley. The wall reacted to the movement of the first player leaving the second a clear shot through. Corners: put only two players in the box and have the rest standing outside the D pass the ball to one outside the box. This confuses the oppo. Just a few of the variations that could be tried instead of going through the usual ritual for which every one is geared up. We are not achieving much from these set pieces so why not ring the changes unsettle the oppo. and leave them uncertain as to what we will do. It's all too predictable IMHO.
[video=youtube;uh6IlJ9VdXA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uh6IlJ9VdXA[/video]
There was a team who was a newly promoted team who had a good one a couple of years ago. They had 3 players around the ball and 2 went up at the sametime which looked like the old dummy but they both collided and started pushing eachother whilst everyone was distracted the 3rd guy had alread ran up to the ball and punted it at goal. It'd certainly bring some entertainment to our freekicks so why not? Might aswell miss in style
What baffles me is...all of us as supporters are seeing this and coming up with solutions What is Harry Redknapp doing about it? and what are the players doing in order to improve this aspect of thier game and if they are practicing then can i say for professional footballers on over 50k a week who i suspect are practicing hard to improve thier free kicks and corners...they are still unbelievebly rubbish(edited)...... which makes me think how rubbish(edited) must they be when they dont practice much. for me the biggest and best buy in the january transfer window would be Derren Brown or Mckenna...have a sit down...and get into the heads of our players...make them realise where they are..whats at stake.....and make them belive that they are untouchable on a football pitch.....its the second half of the season....their is a fine line between triumph and loss....just one moment of screwing up because one of them didnt believe they were good enough on that pitch can mean 1 point and not 3...thats what we need..belief...almost arogance....for me thats what good teams have...and world class players have....yes i know Balotelli is an exception but you know what i mean.
The Rasmus Elm bloke we've supposedly signed (at the end of the season) is known for his free kicks and corners, something of a specialist. Can only be a good sign (when he plays that is, can't really see where he'd play for us).
we need somthing this year Canary...plus i think we all thought VDV would be class with free kicks...not to mention Modric.....and Bale was quite good at Southampton...id rather Kaboul had a crack everytime...worst comes to worse at least his shots hurt someone!!!
made myself a cuppa and as i was stirring the tea bag i had a thought let Friedal take them..let him smash that ball..all goalkeepers bar pansie Gomes have a cracking shot...worst comes to worst at least we will be playing the rest of the game with at least one opponent's head missing
Yep, Bale used to be awesome. It could be as simple as telling him he's going to take them all from now on, and he's got to do well. Or get a hypnotist, or something. I think dos Santos may be as good as anyone now. He's very accurate. Like everyone else, I can't understand the difficulty of putting the ball in a decent spot (over the first defender, not into the keeper's hands, and within twenty feet of the goal...)
