Why can't we defend set pieces?

[Tangled up in Blue]

We've now conceeded four goals this season -two each in our last two away matches-all from set pieces and not one goal from open play.

So why can't we defend from set plays?

According to PB on the OS:-

“It’s very disappointing because we’ve given them all the instructions and all the information in the week.

“As players they need to step up and show desire and commitment and really put their bodies on the line.

“They’ve got to want to get to the ball first and head it away. We’ve spoken in the changing room and we’ve got to cut out it out of our game because it puts us up against it.

“We need players who go out there and give it their all and at the moment there’s one or two not doing that at the moment and that’s a big shame.

Read more at http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/310813-phil-brown-wycombe-
1026484.aspx#1etLug0QRMUywc8q.99

PB would seem to be implying that more than one player is at fault here.

So is it Thompson,Prosser,both of them,all of the defence or the zonal marking system that's not working out?

Over to you.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

We've now conceeded four goals this season -two each in our last two away matches-all from set pieces and not one goal from open play.

So why can't we defend from set plays?

According to PB on the OS:-

“It’s very disappointing because we’ve given them all the instructions and all the information in the week.

“As players they need to step up and show desire and commitment and really put their bodies on the line.

“They’ve got to want to get to the ball first and head it away. We’ve spoken in the changing room and we’ve got to cut out it out of our game because it puts us up against it.

“We need players who go out there and give it their all and at the moment there’s one or two not doing that at the moment and that’s a big shame.

Read more at http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/310813-phil-brown-wycombe-
1026484.aspx#1etLug0QRMUywc8q.99

PB would seem to be implying that more than one player is at fault.

So is it Thompson,Prosser,both of them or the zonal marking system that's not working out?

Over to you.

Just covered it on the Wycombe v Southend thread.

For me, it's both.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Just covered it on the Wycombe v Southend thread.

For me, it's both.

Yeah, saw your comment.Paul Clark was very clearly against the zonal marking system,yesterday and last week, (as you say).

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Yeah, saw your comment.Paul Clark was very clearly against the zonal marking system,yesterday and last week, (as you say).

He's dead right as well. What's the point of having 60---40% possession, 11 to their 2 corners, many more chances, and their goalie is Man of the match, and ours just picks it out of the net, with barely a save to make.
To ruin all that superiority because of a stupid zonal system, that is clearly not working.

 

[Jam_Man]

As I just said on the other thread defending set pieces is not the sole role of the centre halves, its the whole team.

We have conceded two in the last week where the player was unmarked, if thats because of zonal marking then its not working.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

How did we defend in the first 3 league games where we didn't concede a goal?

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

How did we defend in the first 3 league games where we didn't concede a goal?

Probably because the ball fell nicely in the player zone, which meant he knew he was meant to deal with it.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Probably because the ball fell nicely in the player zone, which meant he knew he was meant to deal with it.

Every time???

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Knew this would be an issue this season as the defending against QPR was abysmal at set pieces.

 

[EastStandBlue]

The problem with zonal marking is it requires a significant degree of understanding. If a player drifts out of your zone and into another, the communication needs to be there so that team mates are constantly alerted to other dangers and can respond accordingly. It's fairly understandable that such understanding isn't quite what it should be early on in the season, and even more understandable that injuries to key personnel deteriorates that understanding further.

Is a zonal system the right call to make when one of our choice centre halves is injury prone and our 'keeper is having his first full season as the #1? Perhaps not, but that's the system Brown and Penney obviously want to instill so it's unlikely to change.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Thought this was interesting:-

"Communication is very important when zonal marking is used, to ensure that no gaps are left in the defensive coverage. Zonal marking is more difficult when defending set pieces such as free kicks and corners, and most teams change to man marking in these situations."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marking_(association_football)

 

[Jam_Man]

After watching goals again, if Smith had been in goal for the first one he would have got slaughtered for staying on his line.

I wouldnt criticise him or Bentley for it, but just saying like....

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

After watching goals again, if Smith had been in goal for the first one he would have got slaughtered for staying on his line.

I wouldnt criticise him or Bentley for it, but just saying like....

Just seen the highlights on BP (twice).The defending in front of him for the second goal was a joke.

You'll have noticed too that Dean Morgan's marker for the first goal (Corr) completely failed to pick up his man,effectively giving him a free header.

 

[OldBlueLady]

You'll have noticed too that Dean Morgan's marker for the first goal (Corr) completely failed to pick up his man,effectively giving him a free header.

Yes, we noticed that, though I'm not going to revel in his mistake as much as some! :whistling:

 

[Shrimperforlife]

How did we defend in the first 3 league games where we didn't concede a goal?

was it the Laird factor?

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Think the players should be watching the ball rather than the player. Phillips' experience is missed badly.

 

[turkishm]

Its not just us who concede at dead ball situation. Idid a rough check at half time, and found more than half the goals scored in div2 were dead ball goals. It don't make right to keep conceding in this way, but at this level mistakes are made, and goals scored in this fashion.

 

[mfurok]

Zonal marking is a joke.

 

[rlb999]

After watching goals again, if Smith had been in goal for the first one he would have got slaughtered for staying on his line.

I wouldnt criticise him or Bentley for it, but just saying like....

Spot on. And if Smiths distribution was like Bentleys there would be more criticism. And Flahavan was too small.

 

[RobM]

Zones don't score goals. Unmarked players do.