06 Mar 2024 08:08:42
I'm not a fan of the way we set up for corners. I don't like all our players defending in our box. I would rather see at least one player available to pick the ball up outside our box for the counter attack.
So, we are now apparently looking for a set piece coach with the guy at Brentford as one one of our targets. I assume over the next few days the press wi report that this appointment is causing friction between Poch and the owners. Followed by how is will effect FFP iin some strange way! ???.
06 Mar 2024 08:26:17
Tom
I think we do need a set piece coach.
Not only do we have trouble with corners, we also have trouble with our own corners and free kicks.
I would not worry too much about the media and Poch as I do believe he will be gone in the summer if not before depending on results in the FA Cup.
Hope your health is improving day by day Tom.
06 Mar 2024 09:17:43
This seems like a no-brainer. Since they were promoted, Brentford have scored from 1 in every 20 set pieces or something like that. However I do find myself going back to what Poch said at the start of the season on that, it surely also has a lot to do with the quality of the delivery/ shot on goal and aerial prowess of the players in the box.
It's no surprise to see City are third best per set piece when they have KDB smashing a knuckleball in off the bar or whipping it in for Haaland, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Akanji and Gvardiol to get on the end of.
Where are those players in this Chelsea squad?
06 Mar 2024 09:47:35
RBD, I may well be wrong but we seem to defend the initial dead ball delivery well enough but it’s the second ball that’s the problem for me. Also if we do manage to get control of the situation we have no player available to counter attack because everyone is in the penalty area.
One of the best teams I’ve seen this season at counter attacking from a set play is strangely Newcastle. They let Gordon remain halfway up the pitch when defending set plays.
06 Mar 2024 12:47:28
To be honest Tom, I think we are just atrocious at defending any balls into the box.
VVD's goal in the final followed a virtually identical scenario where he scored but it was disallowed due to an offside, Haaland had about 5 good chances to score from crosses against us and missed them all, and then Wissa's goal came when 3 players were totally unmarked in our box.
It's partly coaching, but also there just seems to be a basic lack of doing your job.
06 Mar 2024 16:00:02
RBD, I think a lot of it is down to concentration and not understanding the importance of individual battles.
Of course coaching is by far and away the biggest problem for defending set plays. That’s why coaches get paid the big bucks.