Who should take our corners and set pieces?

[koppper]

Stevie always takes our corners and it has been a major weak point for us this season, especially given our height advantage. With Stevie getting sent off, Rafa was forced into a change and Xabi showed us how it should be done. With good corners and set pieces, it made us a much more dangerous team.

 

Let's hope Rafa decides to tweak his system, with Xabi taking the corners and Stevie lurking on the edge of the 18 yard box to thump in any loose balls. Do you think he'll make the change for the future? He has to Saturday, as Stevie is suspended.

Edited March 27, 2006 by koppper

[andymac]

Stevie always takes our corners and it has been a major weak point for us this season, especially given our height advantage. With Stevie getting sent off, Rafa was forced into a change and Xabi showed us how it should be done. With good corners and set pieces, it made us a much more dangerous team.

 

Let's hope Rafa decides to tweak his system, with Xabi taking the corners and Stevie lurking on the edge of the 18 yard box to thump in any loose balls. Do you think he'll make the change on Saturday?

 

Isn't Gerrard suspended? So I guess that is a choice he won't have to make!

[andymac]

Stevie always takes our corners and it has been a major weak point for us this season, especially given our height advantage. With Stevie getting sent off, Rafa was forced into a change and Xabi showed us how it should be done. With good corners and set pieces, it made us a much more dangerous team.

 

Let's hope Rafa decides to tweak his system, with Xabi taking the corners and Stevie lurking on the edge of the 18 yard box to thump in any loose balls. Do you think he'll make the change for the future? He has to Saturday, as Stevie is suspended.

 

Ahhh, well when you put it like that, yes!!

[Paisley]

Xabi's crosses were quality so I think I would let him take them - plus Stevie's a strong, physical guy so you'd think he'd get a few goals if he was in the box, or waiting on the edge to fire in any rebounds.

[Guest Kuzco]

Shabby Alonso.

 

Gerrard has that annoying habit of just floating them in.

 

Alonso uses pace every time.

[Leo No.8]

Stevie, for whatever reason, delivers the ball far better when he's on the run.

 

It's odd as that is the more difficult skill of the two, but I think given more time to decide what he's going to do with the ball, he often tries too much and fails to put the ball in the right area.

 

When he has no time to think about his cross, he hits the area between the keeper and back-four more often than not and its a nightmare to defend against.

 

From set-pieces Stevie's actually not that great - I'd certainly prefer to see Alonso on the dead-balls in future...

Edited March 27, 2006 by Leo No.8

[anny road]

Stevie, for whatever reason, delivers the ball far better when he's on the run.

 

It's odd as that is the more difficult skill of the two, but given more time to think about what he's going to do with the ball, he often tries too much and fails to put the ball in the right area.

 

When he has no time to think about his cross, he hits the area between the keeper and back-four more often than not and its a nightmare to defend against.

 

From set-pieces Stevie's actually not that great - I'd certainly prefer to see Alonso on the dead-balls in future...

 

 

except it isnt the more difficult skill.....hitting a stationary ball with pace and whip is harder than taking a run at a rolling ball

[Guest Jodus]

I'd have Finnan & Kewell take them. Would prefer both Stevie and Xabi to be aroung the edge of the box.

[Leo No.8]

except it isnt the more difficult skill.....hitting a stationary ball with pace and whip is harder than taking a run at a rolling ball

 

Than crossing with a defender pressurising you? I don't agree mate - I think a lot of top footballers make an absolute meal of set-pieces.

 

I know lads at Amateur standard who can hit the right spot practically every time - Gerrard is a great example of how some top players make it look harder than it really is...

[Andy @ Allerton]

I don't want Stevie G to take any more free kicks or corners - for two main reasons.

 

1. He doesn't seem to be able to get it past the first man on too many occasions

 

2. He is one tremendous goal threat himself - I'd much rather see him lurking in the area where he can do the most damage rather than being on the edge of the action.

[anny road]

Than crossing with a defender pressurising you? I don't agree mate - I think a lot of top footballers make an absolute meal of set-pieces.

 

I know lads at Amateur standard who can hit the right spot practically every time - Gerrard is a great example of how some top players make it look harder than it really is...

 

 

with respect mate, I disagree

 

I had this conversation with you know who about the need for Riise to hit a rolling ball instead of hitting it stationary

 

do you think players f*** set peices up deliberatley then?

 

the difference is that at Pro level defending is tighter and better...at Amateur level putting a ball into the right area is fine,. but at pro level they are trying to bring certain set plays into play

 

I maintain.....most pro players prefer hitting a rolling ball than a stationary one

[XabisBadFoot]

with respect mate, I disagree

 

I had this conversation with you know who about the need for Riise to hit a rolling ball instead of hitting it stationary

 

do you think players f*** set peices up deliberatley then?

 

the difference is that at Pro level defending is tighter and better...at Amateur level putting a ball into the right area is fine,. but at pro level they are trying to bring certain set plays into play

 

I maintain.....most pro players prefer hitting a rolling ball than a stationary one

 

Agreed. And rolling the ball to a colleague also unsettles the defensive team as the ball is in play again and they lose shape.

[dodgy1]

Stevie always takes our corners and it has been a major weak point for us this season, especially given our height advantage. With Stevie getting sent off, Rafa was forced into a change and Xabi showed us how it should be done. With good corners and set pieces, it made us a much more dangerous team.

 

 

I'd say that is pretty much spot on.

[Case]

Xabi used to be crap as well last year, he used to overhit almost everything, corners and frees. Even during games where his passing was at its scary best.

 

... is spot on. I think it was the Chelsea League game away where he hit everything into row G from a dead ball. He was ace on Saturday though.

[floyd]

Never mind who takes them. Who ever does in the future should not take short corners. Ever. Never.

N.B. only when we play the Mancs in the FA Cup though.

[Guz]

Finnan.

[Bootle Buck]

Risse from the left and Xabi or Finnan from the right.

Edited March 27, 2006 by Bootle Buck

[_00_deathscar]

Finnan.

 

Watching Road to Istanbul - he took more than a few decent corners/free kicks.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

on FKs why is it that JAR stands about 15 yds away from the ball when he wants to thump it. How often is the rushing defender more than 2 yards from the ball by the time he hits it? Are our players the ONLY ones not to see that it doesn't work?

[Earl Hafler]

Anny - I understand what you're saying about the difference in what the professionals are trying to do, but I actually think what you're saying there is the whole crux of my point.

 

Stevie seems to think he's got to do something special with the ball into the box, when in all honesty if you have as many aerial threats as we do, you put it in the right area and back our chances. Just drop it on the back post or hang it around the penalty spot for the big men to attack. He's trying the 'Hollywood corner' too often, which looks good when it works but takes the pressure off when it fails, which is far too often.

 

Gerrard tries to 'whip' the ball in at pace, but that leads him to hit the first man too often. In addition, although the whipped ball into the area can be lethal if played correctly, it kind of negates the extra height we have. Yes, if someone can get a touch it can fly in, great - but I'd much rather see the more basic tactic of hitting the penalty spot or back post where our big men can attack the ball.

 

Saw an interesting stat in The Times and we've had more corners than any other team in the Premier League, by a long way as well. From 210 corners we've done very little.

 

Alonso just put that cross in a good area on Saturday, and Neville ended up putting it in his own net. I much prefer him on set-pieces because his delivery is that much more consistant, it means we can put more pressure on the defending team.

 

Stevie does just about everything for us - I think it's time for him to take on one less duty, or at least give up a greater share.

 

I agree with alot of that, especially the part i highlighted.

 

Gerrard's ball to Crouch against Birmingham was a perfect example of what Gerrard is good at - fast, dipping crosses that are difficult to defend against when defences are going back towards goal. At set pieces when defences are prepared, that sort of delivery doesn't really give us an advantage.

 

Watch Xabi and Gerrard's crossing, passing and there are big differences in technqiue. Wouldn't be surprised if Gerrard is a couple of shoe sizes bigger either.

[Guest AdamS]

Alonso so that all the day trippers stop taking photo's of and clapping Gerrard for walking to the corner flag.

[Maldini]

Alonso so that all the day trippers stop taking photo's of and clapping Gerrard for walking to the corner flag.

Imagine clapping the captain of our club...amazing the way the corners of all the stands are full of day trippers too

[anny road]

Imagine clapping the captain of our club...amazing the way the corners of all the stands are full of day trippers too

 

 

i swear I saw Alonso getting a massive reception Kop/centenary on Sat too

[Ombudsam]

Wouldn't be surprised if Gerrard is a couple of shoe sizes bigger either.

 

[Guest AdamS]

A successful fishing trip I see.