Set Pieces

[GazLaz]

“We are useless at set pieces” is the usually cry, but based on some metrics we are actually the best in L2.

Our set piece xG difference (accounting for attacking and defending xG) is better than anyone’s at approx. 0.24 goals per game.

[graingrover]

Can you give a layman’s breakdown of this please Gaz .How are thrown-ins measured and corners ..both of these set pieces often end up with us losing possession .

[karldew]

In one of Billy’s interviews after the Kettering game, it sounded like the players do the set piece routines now rather than a coach?

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

“We are useless at set pieces” is the usually cry, but based on some metrics we are actually the best in L2.

Our set piece xG difference (accounting for attacking and defending xG) is better than anyone’s at approx. 0.24 goals per game.

What's the breakdown of each?  I don't think we're too bad defensively at set pieces but not so great attack wise, but that's totally based on feeling not evidence.  Our CB's don't score enough IMO.

[danumdon]

When was the last time we smashed/curled in one from 20yds?

[EasyforDennis]

I still fail to understand why we waste a player at every free kick and corner?

[5minstogo]

I think we have improved defensively but still seem woeful when attacking set pieces. Some teams look dangerous  from every corner, we just chuck it back post.

[In the box]

“We are useless at set pieces” is the usually cry, but based on some metrics we are actually the best in L2.

Our set piece xG difference (accounting for attacking and defending xG) is better than anyone’s at approx. 0.24 goals per game.

We don’t seem to have a specialist kicker unlike when we had Danny Andrew’s who had great left foot or Whiteman  could hit a good free kick . I get frustrated when we get free kicks around the box and we just lump it in instead of playing short and running with the ball . Lumping crosses just gives the defenders a fair chance of clearing up as they can see it coming but playing short and running at the defence opens it up to runners who can work the ball closer to where Sharp can do his bit .

[BobG]

Or get a penalty...

[drfchound]

It seems that we have to witness a full on physical assault to even have a chance of winning a penalty.

[BobG]

Lol!

[Usher wide.]

IF, we get a free kick 20 yards out & to the right of the goal post, Molyneau has the ability to curl one into a top corner. Apart from him (& as alluded to, we have had some cracking free kick takers down the years where Molyneau wouldn’t have dared intervene!) I can’t think of any one else (Hurst is too wayward) who could hit one & Moly’s are probably only 4 in 10 or maybe’s 40% at best.

I never expect us to score from corners. It seems a bonus if we miss their first man. As for 2nd balls in the box (even WITH Sharp in there) they never seem to drop for us.

I’m anxious when we’re defending corners especially when the opposition have ‘big men’ in the mix.

Throw ins…..jeez! Sterry’s are nailed on to go backwards, Olowu’s look to go down the line when Ironside’s on (with an opponent directly in front of him & one behind for the sly push in the back that very, very rarely gets ‘noticed’ by the ref) Maxwell’s always hanging onto the ball too long looking for every or which way to throw but the real problem lies in the fact that we don’t have a player with the skill & imagination of Coppinger who can receive, control, protect then use the ball with either a clever pass or a drop of the shoulder & come away with the ball.

You can give me xg’s all day but what I’ve just described is how I see our set pieces……toss a coin & hope it at least drops to a player in hoops.

[NickDRFC]

IF, we get a free kick 20 yards out & to the right of the goal post, Molyneau has the ability to curl one into a top corner. Apart from him (& as alluded to, we have had some cracking free kick takers down the years where Molyneau wouldn’t have dared intervene!) I can’t think of any one else (Hurst is too wayward) who could hit one & Moly’s are probably only 4 in 10 or maybe’s 40% at best.

I never expect us to score from corners. It seems a bonus if we miss their first man. As for 2nd balls in the box (even WITH Sharp in there) they never seem to drop for us.

I’m anxious when we’re defending corners especially when the opposition have ‘big men’ in the mix.

Throw ins…..jeez! Sterry’s are nailed on to go backwards, Olowu’s look to go down the line when Ironside’s on (with an opponent directly in front of him & one behind for the sly push in the back that very, very rarely gets ‘noticed’ by the ref) Maxwell’s always hanging onto the ball too long looking for every or which way to throw but the real problem lies in the fact that we don’t have a player with the skill & imagination of Coppinger who can receive, control, protect then use the ball with either a clever pass or a drop of the shoulder & come away with the ball.

You can give me xg’s all day but what I’ve just described is how I see our set pieces……toss a coin & hope it at least drops to a player in hoops.

Some people just see what they want to see. In the last fortnight we’ve scored 3 times from 2nd balls dropping to us from corners, including 2 for Sharp himself!

Don’t disagree with you on the throw-ins though, we’re terrible with them and I feel we’re as likely to lose possession as retain it.

[Plumbster]

Bang on with Copps ability to take the ball and create space with his first touch- Craig also had that ability which is why I would have him back. The reason we go backwards is that currently no one has that technical ability/confidence.

[andyst79]

Hate it when we defend corners with 11 in the box , last 10 mins fair enough. There must be a statistical reason for this? Just no outlet if the balls cleared

[GazLaz]

Hate it when we defend corners with 11 in the box , last 10 mins fair enough. There must be a statistical reason for this? Just no outlet if the balls cleared

I think the thinking is the value in having an extra defender/ player in the defensive third out weight the advantage of having a man isolated 40 yards away from his team mates.

[drfchound]

Hate it when we defend corners with 11 in the box , last 10 mins fair enough. There must be a statistical reason for this? Just no outlet if the balls cleared

I think the thinking is the value in having an extra defender/ player in the defensive third out weight the advantage of having a man isolated 40 yards away from his team mates.

I once read something about this.
Something along the lines of that fewer goals are conceded when defending a corner if everyone is back in their own box.
Maybe not those exact words.

[Usher wide.]

Hate it when we defend corners with 11 in the box , last 10 mins fair enough. There must be a statistical reason for this? Just no outlet if the balls cleared

I think the thinking is the value in having an extra defender/ player in the defensive third out weight the advantage of having a man isolated 40 yards away from his team mates.

Against Brentford in 2013 I believe Billy Paynter had gone to the Rovers dug out to have a drink & watch while Brentford took the penalty. The rest as they say....

[Barmby Rover]

At an opposition corner we should have the fastest (excluding Olowu) on the half way line to run with a long clearance, they opposition need at least one if not two players to cover it, and takes some of the defensive pressure off as well as giving a chance of breakaway goals.

[selby]

After todays goal we gifted Wimbledon we could start with the basic how to take a goal kick and launch it as far down field away from our back four as possible on Monday morning.