Defence

[Alan]

IMO opinion you're wrong. The fact that only five teams have conceded fewer than us tends to back that up.

Hey, I didn't start this thread. We're clearly not awful defensively but we are poor at cleaning up balls in the box and that is part of the reason we have stopped keeping clean sheets.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Looks like we aren’t great off set pieces according this...

Sure I saw a stat couple of weeks ago on sky that we had one of the best records for set pieces against. Possibly a different measure than who scored.

Half our goals conceded from set pieces, penalties and own goals. Improving that will go a long way to getting us up the table.

 

[Boozad]

Hey, I didn't start this thread.

I know you didn't. I'm stating that saying we are completely and hopelessly shit at clearing our lines is pure hyperbole.

 

[Alan]

I know you didn't. I'm stating that saying we are completely and hopelessly shit at clearing our lines is pure hyperbole.

Maybe a little, but I've rolled my eyes at our pish attempts to clear crosses way too many times this season. It's a big problem.

 

[Boozad]

Maybe a little, but I've rolled my eyes at our pish attempts to clear crosses way too many times this season. It's a big problem.

Yet we've only conceded 15 in open play from 23 games.

 

[Alan]

And we'd have conceded less than that if we got the ball away properly more often than we do.

 

[Boozad]

And we'd have conceded less than that if we got the ball away properly more often than we do.

So you wouldn't say that getting better at defending set pieces or not giving away penalties and own goals is the real cause for concern?

 

[Alan]

So you wouldn't say that getting better at defending set pieces or not giving away penalties and own goals is the real cause for concern?

Not at the moment, because I'd wager that a significant chunk of the set piece goals we've conceded have been due to a poor clearance of the first ball in and not dealing with the second ball well enough.

 

[darlowolf64]

And we'd have conceded less than that if we got the ball away properly more often than we do.

As we don't leave anyone up front when defending set pieces, it's a bit of a stretch blaming the forwards for not keeping hold of the ball when they aren't actually there

 

[Alan]

As we don't leave anyone up front when defending set pieces, it's a bit of a stretch blaming the forwards for not keeping hold of the ball when they aren't actually there

That bit's separate from the set piece part. And like I said, it's gotten better since we hit on Jota and Jiminez playing up front together.

 

[Aikiwolf]

I'm kind of with Alan on this.... Whilst I think we sit 5 yards too deep on set pieces and I think we are really slow to press the second ball. Cardiff is a prime example of this.

 

[Carsy1991]

Yet we've only conceded 15 in open play from 23 games.

Is count set pieces as crosses also unless direct free kicks. Do agree with Alan that there is definitely room for improvement on set pieces

 

[sycophantia]

Defending set pieces has been our achiles heel since Nuno came (maybe before) whether its first or second phase, wonder if our players struggle with zonal marking or just poor/slow at responding to the second phase. No doubt Nuno and the coaching team are working on it but maybe it will only get better when we upgrade Bennet, Boly and Coady. Its not like we're complete shit at it though, its just one of the small things we need to improve in our quest for world domination

 

[Boozad]

Is count set pieces as crosses also unless direct free kicks. Do agree with Alan that there is definitely room for improvement on set pieces

Did you read the whole thread? I asked this maybe two posts previous.

So you wouldn't say that getting better at defending set pieces or not giving away penalties and own goals is the real cause for concern?

 

[Boozad]

Not at the moment, because I'd wager that a significant chunk of the set piece goals we've conceded have been due to a poor clearance of the first ball in and not dealing with the second ball well enough.

All the goals are available, probably better to watch them and analyse instead of wagering. Off the top of my head I can remember Man City (h), Leicester (h), Huddersfield (h), Shrewsbury (a) that came directly from set pieces and not us not clearing our lines properly. We never got to the ball. And they certainly weren’t anything to do with the forwards.

 

[Carsy1991]

Did you read the whole thread? I asked this maybe two posts previous.

must have missed it. My bad

 

[Rui_CostCo]

On set pieces, It's poor defending, not picking up runners and getting out muscled when the ball comes in that's hurting us.

I can't see where the idea it's the forwards for not providing an outlet or losing the ball when we try who are to blame comes from

 

[Alan]

All the goals are available, probably better to watch them and analyse instead of wagering. Off the top of my head I can remember Man City (h), Leicester (h), Huddersfield (h), Shrewsbury (a) that came directly from set pieces and not us not clearing our lines properly. We never got to the ball. And they certainly weren’t anything to do with the forwards.

Like I say, the bit regarding the forwards is separate from the set pieces.

Also don't see why wagering is bad but recalling "off the top of my head" is okay?

 

[Pablowolf]

must have missed it. My bad

Don't sweat it, I don't read back too far either as some of these guys and gals are as boring as fuck, sometimes.

 

[Aikiwolf]

Don't sweat it, I don't read back too far either as I'M boring as fuck, sometimes.

FIFY x