Opposition Set Pieces

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Vienna_70

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Treble Winners 2022/23.
This is something that has been annoying me for quite some time now, but why the hell don't we leave at least one player upfield when our opponents have a corner or attacking free-kick near our penalty area?

We have two of the quickest players in the League in Raheem and Jesús, and yet, they're always both brought all the way back to defend.

And if we leave someone near the halfway line, it would mean the opposition would have to leave players back to cover.
 
Bringing players back crowds the box so attackers don't find it as easy to get a run on the ball.
 
Because we're more dangerous having players around the edge of our own penalty area
A soft clearance (header) will be collected by one of our quick players and then we're on the break, or Hart catches the ball, our quick players sprint the forty or so yards and Hart delivers the ball.
I've seen all three of these work for us this season. As an example, look at Bony's goal vs Sevilla

By having a player on the half way line means the opposition will have at least two, so he's already outnumbered, plus if he does receive the ball with his back to the opposition goal he's then waiting for his team mates as opposed to breaking with them
 
Always worries me how Hart stands very much to one side of the goal, ive havnt seen any other goalkeeper stand so one sided. think we've been lucky the kick has hit the wall or sailed over - maybe his strategy has worked but there seems to be an open goal if they get it up and over.
 
I remember Hughes having 3 players up when we were defending - I may be wrong but I am sure one was Bedlamy.(very quick)

Hughes obviously meant the opposition had to have at least 3 players on or near the half way line.

I agree with the OP Sterling would be my choice because he is more likely to score on a breakaway than Navas.
 
adelaideblue said:
Always worries me how Hart stands very much to one side of the goal, ive havnt seen any other goalkeeper stand so one sided. think we've been lucky the kick has hit the wall or sailed over - maybe his strategy has worked but there seems to be an open goal if they get it up and over.
Click to expand...

As is the case with any free kick, the goalkeeper has to trust their wall to do it's job. If the free kick is further than 25 yards they have time to get across the goal (unless it's something special) and if it's closer than 25 yards then it has to be something special to get over and down with any force at all.
 
Vienna_70 said:
This is something that has been annoying me for quite some time now, but why the hell don't we leave at least one player upfield when our opponents have a corner or attacking free-kick near our penalty area?

We have two of the quickest players in the League in Raheem and Jesús, and yet, they're always both brought all the way back to defend.

And if we leave someone near the halfway line, it would mean the opposition would have to leave players back to cover.
Click to expand...

I have thought the same for a while. If Navas stood in the centre circle, the opposition would have to leave two players back. Not only that, it gives Hart, assuming he Collects the ball, an out-ball where he can start an attack.
 
I think a few times we have done this?

Certainly, every so often Hart pulls out a fantastic kick out of his hands and lands at Navas' feet and he makes a run at the defence.
 
Manc in London said:
I have thought the same for a while. If Navas stood in the centre circle, the opposition would have to leave two players back. Not only that, it gives Hart, assuming he Collects the ball, an out-ball where he can start an attack.
Click to expand...

Only if Navas collects the ball with his back to goal or wins it in the air though. Henry (****) used to be brilliant at it for Arsenal but we don't really have anyone suited to that centre circle job.
 
aguero93:20 said:
Only if Navas collects the ball with his back to goal or wins it in the air though. Henry (****) used to be brilliant at it for Arsenal but we don't really have anyone suited to that centre circle job.
Click to expand...

He could win the ball if it's launched into the channels and it effectively becomes a foot race.
 
decmancity said:
I think a few times we have done this?

Certainly, every so often Hart pulls out a fantastic kick out of his hands and lands at Navas' feet and he makes a run at the defence.
Click to expand...

That's only because Navas is so fast that he can get upfield very quickly. I don't remember us leaving anyone on the half-way line since Hughes' days, as has already been mentioned.
 
Manc in London said:
He could win the ball if it's launched into the channels and it effectively becomes a foot race.
Click to expand...

He can do that from where he stands now with a couple of teammates in support, rather than having to wait for everyone (including the opposition) to catch him up.
 
And the team that left 3 players on the half way line when defending a corner against us........Barca!
Messi, Iniesta and Neymar. They dropped Suarez back into the box for his height.
 
aguero93:20 said:
He can do that from where he stands now with a couple of teammates in support, rather than having to wait for everyone (including the opposition) to catch him up.
Click to expand...

Oh ye of little faith :) Fair point though.

I doubt the opposition would take the same view. Put him on the halfway and I imagine they will leave two back in defence.
 
Manc in London said:
Oh ye of little faith :) Fair point though.

I doubt the opposition would take the same view. Put him on the halfway and I imagine they will leave two back in defence.
Click to expand...

Yep probably, creating more space in our box and leaving us a man short outside it to pick up the loose ball, which Navas excels at. We don't concede many from corners these days, I'd rather not tamper with them.
 
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