Direct football and City

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Marvin.

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At the weekend I watched Arsenal win another game with a set-piece goal. On the Sunday evening, Spurs went to Everton and scored at least 2 goals direct from corners. At Brentford, Kayode was flinging balls in from long distance and most teams are suddenly using long throw-ins.

This season, according to Arsenal.com, "Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set pieces in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side (Chelsea, 9). 69% of our goals in 2025/26 have come from set pieces (11/16), the highest ratio by a team in a single Premier League campaign." Teams copy success. It's much easier to copy Arsenal's set-pieces than it is to copy Pep's possession based football because Pep's football is based on technique. It's easier to learn physical routines.

The corner routines have become farcical with organised blocking of the keeper and defenders. It's not football, it's basketball. Fortunately for City, we have Donnarumma and he protects us from the melees that are most corners now. Defensively we need to cope with these tactics, but I don't want City to adopt them. Alongside the increased focus on set-pieces, I think there is the development of power and physicality in the game such that many teams have running machines in midfield. I don't mind that so much. There has definitely been a move away from Pep's possession based football. Bournemouth play with power. They press their opponents, and they play aggressively with forward passes. It's very exciting to watch a Semenyo or a Yaya barrelling past players so I am not so much against the increase in physicality. Good sides play with power and finesse e.g., PSG. For me, Arsenal have gone too far. They are de-risking, putting more into not conceding but using possession to win set-pieces. But perhaps I just don't like them.

Not all teams are adopting the set-pieces and physicality. Liverpool are not, Man Utd are not. Football needs City and Pep to be successful, otherwise it will become even more prevalent. It seems like a no-brainer to focus on technical ways of scoring goals, cheap-wins if you like, but if you do that, you move away from players like David Silva and focus on brute force. I prefer to watch City, PSG, Barcelona. Fortunately, there is no danger that Pep will change his ways.
 
Marvin. said:
At the weekend I watched Arsenal win another game with a set-piece goal. On the Sunday evening, Spurs went to Everton and scored at least 2 goals direct from corners. At Brentford, Kayode was flinging balls in from long distance and most teams are suddenly using long throw-ins.

This season, according to Arsenal.com, "Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set pieces in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side (Chelsea, 9). 69% of our goals in 2025/26 have come from set pieces (11/16), the highest ratio by a team in a single Premier League campaign." Teams copy success. It's much easier to copy Arsenal's set-pieces than it is to copy Pep's possession based football because Pep's football is based on technique. It's easier to learn physical routines.

The corner routines have become farcical with organised blocking of the keeper and defenders. It's not football, it's basketball. Fortunately for City, we have Donnarumma and he protects us from the melees that are most corners now. Defensively we need to cope with these tactics, but I don't want City to adopt them. Alongside the increased focus on set-pieces, I think there is the development of power and physicality in the game such that many teams have running machines in midfield. I don't mind that so much. There has definitely been a move away from Pep's possession based football. Bournemouth play with power. They press their opponents, and they play aggressively with forward passes. It's very exciting to watch a Semenyo or a Yaya barrelling past players so I am not so much against the increase in physicality. Good sides play with power and finesse e.g., PSG. For me, Arsenal have gone too far. They are de-risking, putting more into not conceding but using possession to win set-pieces. But perhaps I just don't like them.

Not all teams are adopting the set-pieces and physicality. Liverpool are not, Man Utd are not. Football needs City and Pep to be successful, otherwise it will become even more prevalent. It seems like a no-brainer to focus on technical ways of scoring goals, cheap-wins if you like, but if you do that, you move away from players like David Silva and focus on brute force. I prefer to watch City, PSG, Barcelona. Fortunately, there is no danger that Pep will change his ways.
Click to expand...
One of the things that keeps coming to my mind is this new Setpiece coach we've recruited in the summer. He must be lying awake at night. We haven't scored from a corner or free kick (I don't think) and we look shaky at times when defending them.
 
For a team that has so much possession and wins so many corners, we've been dreadful for years at converting these into goals
Whether we score the most beautiful goal ever, or nod one in from a corner, they both count the same
Corners are a huge weapon that we've never picked up and used
Negligence really
 
Didsbury Dave said:
One of the things that keeps coming to my mind is this new Setpiece coach we've recruited in the summer. He must be lying awake at night. We haven't scored from a corner or free kick (I don't think) and we look shaky at times when defending them.
Click to expand...
Some of our corners are woeful. Every successful corner routine depends on an accurate delivery to a target - look at the corners Arsenal take. We just don't seem to be able to do that despite our technical players.
 
Marvin. said:
At the weekend I watched Arsenal win another game with a set-piece goal. On the Sunday evening, Spurs went to Everton and scored at least 2 goals direct from corners. At Brentford, Kayode was flinging balls in from long distance and most teams are suddenly using long throw-ins.

This season, according to Arsenal.com, "Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set pieces in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side (Chelsea, 9). 69% of our goals in 2025/26 have come from set pieces (11/16), the highest ratio by a team in a single Premier League campaign." Teams copy success. It's much easier to copy Arsenal's set-pieces than it is to copy Pep's possession based football because Pep's football is based on technique. It's easier to learn physical routines.

The corner routines have become farcical with organised blocking of the keeper and defenders. It's not football, it's basketball. Fortunately for City, we have Donnarumma and he protects us from the melees that are most corners now. Defensively we need to cope with these tactics, but I don't want City to adopt them. Alongside the increased focus on set-pieces, I think there is the development of power and physicality in the game such that many teams have running machines in midfield. I don't mind that so much. There has definitely been a move away from Pep's possession based football. Bournemouth play with power. They press their opponents, and they play aggressively with forward passes. It's very exciting to watch a Semenyo or a Yaya barrelling past players so I am not so much against the increase in physicality. Good sides play with power and finesse e.g., PSG. For me, Arsenal have gone too far. They are de-risking, putting more into not conceding but using possession to win set-pieces. But perhaps I just don't like them.

Not all teams are adopting the set-pieces and physicality. Liverpool are not, Man Utd are not. Football needs City and Pep to be successful, otherwise it will become even more prevalent. It seems like a no-brainer to focus on technical ways of scoring goals, cheap-wins if you like, but if you do that, you move away from players like David Silva and focus on brute force. I prefer to watch City, PSG, Barcelona. Fortunately, there is no danger that Pep will change his ways.
Click to expand...

I think another danger of this reversion to the 1970s, Charlie Hughes, "POMO Zone" approach is that it leads to an increase in cheating to acquire the set-pieces from which to launch the ball into the box. Furthermore, it will ensure that the national team remains second rate as the need for technical skill diminishes.

I'm hoping that Pep's possession-based approach triumphs but it never will unless our goal threat is coming from the entire midfield with the odd goal from defenders which means we need to make use of the set pieces we do get.
 
I hate it all, I almost think if it carries on like this there will be rule changes at some point, though I'm not sure what. Maybe limiting the number of attacking players in the 6 yard box or something.

Thinking about the long throws, I'd be tempted to try something different when defending them.

Just clear all our players out of the box and make space for Donnarumma to come and deal with it. It'd make it clearer when he gets fouled, and also increase chances of offsides from flicks etc too. Might be madness, I'd like to see it tried though (maybe by a different team first if all!).
 
Marvin. said:
At the weekend I watched Arsenal win another game with a set-piece goal. On the Sunday evening, Spurs went to Everton and scored at least 2 goals direct from corners. At Brentford, Kayode was flinging balls in from long distance and most teams are suddenly using long throw-ins.

This season, according to Arsenal.com, "Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set pieces in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side (Chelsea, 9). 69% of our goals in 2025/26 have come from set pieces (11/16), the highest ratio by a team in a single Premier League campaign." Teams copy success. It's much easier to copy Arsenal's set-pieces than it is to copy Pep's possession based football because Pep's football is based on technique. It's easier to learn physical routines.

The corner routines have become farcical with organised blocking of the keeper and defenders. It's not football, it's basketball. Fortunately for City, we have Donnarumma and he protects us from the melees that are most corners now. Defensively we need to cope with these tactics, but I don't want City to adopt them. Alongside the increased focus on set-pieces, I think there is the development of power and physicality in the game such that many teams have running machines in midfield. I don't mind that so much. There has definitely been a move away from Pep's possession based football. Bournemouth play with power. They press their opponents, and they play aggressively with forward passes. It's very exciting to watch a Semenyo or a Yaya barrelling past players so I am not so much against the increase in physicality. Good sides play with power and finesse e.g., PSG. For me, Arsenal have gone too far. They are de-risking, putting more into not conceding but using possession to win set-pieces. But perhaps I just don't like them.

Not all teams are adopting the set-pieces and physicality. Liverpool are not, Man Utd are not. Football needs City and Pep to be successful, otherwise it will become even more prevalent. It seems like a no-brainer to focus on technical ways of scoring goals, cheap-wins if you like, but if you do that, you move away from players like David Silva and focus on brute force. I prefer to watch City, PSG, Barcelona. Fortunately, there is no danger that Pep will change his ways.
Click to expand...
We could play our technical football and emulate Arsenal's set piece routines. I don't see why you can't do both.
Alternatively we could just save some money and sack our set piece coach.
 
I'm not sure our attacking corners are that bad - it's just that we haven't got the players to win the headers a lot of the time. I think we might end up better at them if/when Juma Bah joins.
 
Yeah I agree we lack the physicality.

Where PSG have skill and technique, they also have power and pace. We lack the latter.

I think we struggle to win the ball back in addition to losing to fast counters. Part of that is the absence of Rodri, part of that is the pace and physicality of our midfielders and defenders.

Imo Dias isn’t quick enough to play such a high line, neither is John but he isn’t really featuring. Gvardiol can be susceptible too.

The rest can fare well enough.

In midfield, we have a collection of slow midfielders trying to win the ball back. Nico G, Bernardo. Even Foden, he doesn’t press like he did 2 seasons ago, he doesn’t go into challenges.

Savinho is a killer because he’ll shy away from absolutely every physical challenge or 50/50 and doesn’t work back.

Not arsed about set pieces like you say, least of our problems.

In summary I think our press is absolutely shit and at a time where it’s probably more important than it has ever been to press well.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Some of our corners are woeful. Every successful corner routine depends on an accurate delivery to a target - look at the corners Arsenal take. We just don't seem to be able to do that despite our technical players.
Click to expand...
Woeful is being polite, seen better at Hough End on a Sunday morning…….we obviously don’t practice corners, free kicks or throw ins……amateurish to say the least with all the coaches we have

Edit: add shooting from outside the penalty box
 
Last edited:
mattcity5 said:
I'm not sure our attacking corners are that bad - it's just that we haven't got the players to win the headers a lot of the time. I think we might end up better at them if/when Juma Bah joins.
Click to expand...
this is definitely something to consider.

Dias should probably have scored one at weekend (he had a good game overall)....but baring him Rodri, Haaland Gvardiol (maybe Nico G) - where is the real threat?

Ake is good with his head but he is also small (for a prem defender) so a standing jump against someone who is 3-4 inches taller than you is always going to be very difficult.
The rest of our team are quite small for starters so it doesnt help - I know good movement can overcome this but at set pieces this is more difficult.....

NIco OReilly?
 
CΛL said:
Yeah I agree we lack the physicality.

Where PSG have skill and technique, they also have power and pace. We lack the latter.

I think we struggle to win the ball back in addition to losing to fast counters. Part of that is the absence of Rodri, part of that is the pace and physicality of our midfielders and defenders.

Imo Dias isn’t quick enough to play such a high line, neither is John but he isn’t really featuring. Gvardiol can be susceptible too.

The rest can fare well enough.

In midfield, we have a collection of slow midfielders trying to win the ball back. Nico G, Bernardo. Even Foden, he doesn’t press like he did 2 seasons ago, he doesn’t go into challenges.

Savinho is a killer because he’ll shy away from absolutely every physical challenge or 50/50 and doesn’t work back.

Not arsed about set pieces like you say, least of our problems.

In summary I think our press is absolutely shit and at a time where it’s probably more important than it has ever been to press well.
Click to expand...
We lack physicality - I completely agree. Even our big guys in the centre of the park arent that quick - Rodri and Nico - luckily both have amazing footballing intelligence which helps them overcome this but baring Haaland and Khusonov none of our players are particularly quick - Doku is explosive over 5-10 metres but he doesnt run away from people over distance. Marmoush is pretty quick

Our press isnt good and in part that is the ONLY weakness with Haaland playing....he is never ever going to be able to press as effectively as other players...he can improve with intelligence (and he has) but his physique wont allow him to press like a Tevez for instance...He has the attitude and killer instinct to do it but his body wont allow it.

Sav as you say pulls out of challenges....said it repeatedly he needs to grow a pair.
Doku is a fighter which I love about him.
 
simon23 said:
We lack physicality - I completely agree. Even our big guys in the centre of the park arent that quick - Rodri and Nico - luckily both have amazing footballing intelligence which helps them overcome this but baring Haaland and Khusonov none of our players are particularly quick - Doku is explosive over 5-10 metres but he doesnt run away from people over distance. Marmoush is pretty quick

Our press isnt good and in part that is the ONLY weakness with Haaland playing....he is never ever going to be able to press as effectively as other players...he can improve with intelligence (and he has) but his physique wont allow him to press like a Tevez for instance...He has the attitude and killer instinct to do it but his body wont allow it.

Sav as you say pulls out of challenges....said it repeatedly he needs to grow a pair.
Doku is a fighter which I love about him.
Click to expand...

And Marmoush negates his speed by being offside every single time he makes a forward run....
 
The most ridiculous thing about our corners in that Foden takes them from both sides. So outswinger/ inswinger. Not once does he ever whip one in under the bar putting the keeper under pressure. Sure I heard that our last goal in the PL from a corner was October last year at Wolves?
 
Marvin. said:
At the weekend I watched Arsenal win another game with a set-piece goal. On the Sunday evening, Spurs went to Everton and scored at least 2 goals direct from corners. At Brentford, Kayode was flinging balls in from long distance and most teams are suddenly using long throw-ins.

This season, according to Arsenal.com, "Arsenal have scored 11 goals via set pieces in the Premier League this season, two more than any other side (Chelsea, 9). 69% of our goals in 2025/26 have come from set pieces (11/16), the highest ratio by a team in a single Premier League campaign." Teams copy success. It's much easier to copy Arsenal's set-pieces than it is to copy Pep's possession based football because Pep's football is based on technique. It's easier to learn physical routines.

The corner routines have become farcical with organised blocking of the keeper and defenders. It's not football, it's basketball. Fortunately for City, we have Donnarumma and he protects us from the melees that are most corners now. Defensively we need to cope with these tactics, but I don't want City to adopt them. Alongside the increased focus on set-pieces, I think there is the development of power and physicality in the game such that many teams have running machines in midfield. I don't mind that so much. There has definitely been a move away from Pep's possession based football. Bournemouth play with power. They press their opponents, and they play aggressively with forward passes. It's very exciting to watch a Semenyo or a Yaya barrelling past players so I am not so much against the increase in physicality. Good sides play with power and finesse e.g., PSG. For me, Arsenal have gone too far. They are de-risking, putting more into not conceding but using possession to win set-pieces. But perhaps I just don't like them.

Not all teams are adopting the set-pieces and physicality. Liverpool are not, Man Utd are not. Football needs City and Pep to be successful, otherwise it will become even more prevalent. It seems like a no-brainer to focus on technical ways of scoring goals, cheap-wins if you like, but if you do that, you move away from players like David Silva and focus on brute force. I prefer to watch City, PSG, Barcelona. Fortunately, there is no danger that Pep will change his ways.
Click to expand...
Whilst The Dippers don't rely on corners, they are nevertheless very dangerous from them with VVD and Konate more often than not getting a dangerous headers from a good delivery. They played Athletico a few weeks ago and they had them under siege from corners
 
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