Set Pieces

[Brown Nose]

I know this is highly unusual, but there is an interesting article in todays' Merc:

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Inside-Football-column-Leicester-City-work/story-21150889-detail/story.html

There are no stats provided to back up the statements so I've tried to find a few.

Last season, we scored one goal from a corner and this was the lowest in the Championship. The top team at corners (Ipswich) scored fourteen. I think Mike Stowell needs sacking as our attacking set piece organiser (yes, he is in charge of them). We also only scored once from a direct free kick and none from long throws (I remember countless pointless hurls at nobody from Moore). Source: [URL="http://www.squawka.com/"[/URL]

I think NP is absolutely right to highlight this deficiency and how key it will be next season. We are too short as a side at the moment and need a more physically 'threatening' team. I like the addition of Upson because he's good in the air in both penalty areas. The link to Ulloa appears to be a strong one and it's likely that we're going to be adding a big, strong striker to lead the line.

I'd go further and say we need at least two or three more first team starters that are six foot plus (alongside having sufficient other attributes). It's especially important that we add a holding midfielder that is physically commanding.

The last time we established ourselves in the top league was under the excellent set piece organisation of Steve Walford. I've never seen anyone so accomplished at using players to defend/attack the ball successfully in the box. Someone on the training ground with similar skills could be worth more than his weight in gold.

 

[Lako42]

I mentioned our appalling ability at both attacking a defending set pieces last season and was shot down by a few people.

The above statistics are horrendous, but at least it offers us a very obvious area to improve.

I knew we were shit at them but not that shit.

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

I was moaning about this numerous times last season. Having had such a great season last year it seems a bit harsh to nitpick, but heck.. there's always room for improvement. This is going to be a key area for us. I remember we were brilliant at set pieces under MO'N. So much so that Arsene Wenger said we were one of the very best at them at that time.

It's a big part of the game, I don't expect us to enjoy so much possession in the Premier League. This area needs in improving. All over the pitch we are a bit weak in the air.

 

[Feriol]

I remember a comment by Izzet I think, that they never practiced set pieces under MON.

 

[Si Nick]

Height is one thing, but many of our corners seemed to be aimed about shoulder height at the near post & often to the first defender. James was probably the best of the current players.

Albrighton has already stated that crossing is a key part of his game, so wonder if he will be on corner duties when picked

 

[Miles Away]

The Micky Adams regime was absolutely superb at set pieces.

Currently we are shit, especially attacking corners...Morgan, in particular is a disappointment.

We haven't had a centre back that attacks the ball on corners since Kisnorbo and Macauley.

 

[Leigh]

I'd agree that James is probably our best corner taker at the moment, but even he's not great. I knew Muzzy was good with corners but I don't think I appreciated just how good until I saw the shower we've had in the last 10+ years trying to take them.

 

[Brown Nose]

Our delivery from set pieces could be better but it isn't bad. The problem is that we don't take up intelligent positions and we don't attack the ball.

The better sides have players that lose their markers with clever movement or with a group of players all moving in different directions to block markers and so on. We never do any of that.

When we do get a header from a corner/free kick, it's usually poorly directed and lacking power.

 

[drummindefender]

For all his faults Waggy took a great corner

 

[Miles Away]

Our delivery from set pieces could be better but it isn't bad. The problem is that we don't take up intelligent positions and we don't attack the ball.

The better sides have players that lose their markers with clever movement or with a group of players all moving in different directions to block markers and so on. We never do any of that.

When we do get a header from a corner/free kick, it's usually poorly directed and lacking power.

Hence my comment on Morgan. We definitely lack a true specialist.

 

[Micky]

I think Matty James takes a good corner. As mentioned already, the problem lies in the players attacking the ball. I think the most threatening player over the past two seasons has been Zak Whitbread and he has hardly played.

 

[Jeff]

Height is one thing, but many of our corners seemed to be aimed about shoulder height at the near post & often to the first defender.

The most effective corners are the ones that are whipped in at pace. But when you do that it has to be fairly low, which is why so many end up being cleared by the first defender. It only needs to be slightly too low to look like a poor corner. It's a problem most clubs have, not just Leicester.

 

[David Gwilliam]

. I think Mike Stowell needs sacking as our attacking set piece organiser (yes, he is in charge of them).

.

No Mike Stowell must stay. When the going gets tough Mike Stowell gets going. .

It is certainly true that we have not seen the best of Mike Stowell this year. Winning does not suit him. . He is at his best when we are losing by the odd goal and the referee ignores a blatant Leicester dive. . Comfortable wins do not play to Mike's strengths.

It is true that set pieces may need subtlety and cunning which are not among Mike's qualities. My guess is that he is already studying the parentage issues of Premier League referees. Ask yourself this: who do you want in the Leicester dugout if Alan Pardew head butts a Leicester player.

 

[Brown Nose]

Ask yourself this: who do you want in the Leicester dugout if Alan Pardew head butts a Leicester player.

I expect that Marcin will be on the bench regularly next season. Pardew may be a fool, but he's not that stupid.

I admit to a petty dislike for MS. He's been at the club a long time and I've not seen him improve one of the multitude of keepers he's worked with. Indeed, many have gone backwards on his watch.

Unlike your good self, I'm too far away to witness the touchline entertainment so I cannot share your man-crush David. I can only judge him on what he's employed to do.

 

[Blaarev]

I admit to a petty dislike for MS. He's been at the club a long time and I've not seen him improve one of the multitude of keepers he's worked with. Indeed, many have gone backwards on his watch.

I would suppose Denmark's manager thinks otherwise and Kasper also seems to be pleased with the set-up at the club.

 

[ThaiSweetChilli]

I expect that Marcin will be on the bench regularly next season. Pardew may be a fool, but he's not that stupid.

I admit to a petty dislike for MS. He's been at the club a long time and I've not seen him improve one of the multitude of keepers he's worked with. Indeed, many have gone backwards on his watch.

Unlike your good self, I'm too far away to witness the touchline entertainment so I cannot share your man-crush David. I can only judge him on what he's employed to do.

Man crush? I think you'll find that's just a regular crush

 

[Blue Maniac]

Man crush? I think you'll find that's just a regular crush

A man-crush isn't the same thing at all; the holder of a man-crush has no desire to sleep with, fondle or otherwise interact in a sexual way with the object.

 

[ThaiSweetChilli]

A man-crush isn't the same thing at all; the holder of a man-crush has no desire to sleep with, fondle or otherwise interact in a sexual way with the object.

Exactly my point. David has a regular crush.

 

[H T B]

A man-crush isn't the same thing at all; the holder of a man-crush has no desire to sleep with, fondle or otherwise interact in a sexual way with the object.

Sounds like someone's affections have been misunderstood

 

[homer]

Sounds like someone's affections have been misunderstood

He's just quoting from the tribunal hearing....