David Stockdale has revealed Albion have been putting in extra work on defending against corners.
But, as they prepare to face some of the strongest set-piece exponents in the Championship, the big goalkeeper has broken what is required right down to basics.
The key to preventing goals from corners, he reckons, is individual responsibility and a desire not to let your mates down.
They might need that as Ipswich come to town tonight.
The Tractor Boys scored 19 goals from set-pieces last season, a number bettered only by promoted duo Watford and Bournemouth.
Their tally of 24 in 2013-14 put them five clear of their closest challengers.
This season they are only mid-table for strikes from deadball situations but they still have five to their name.
The players who have posed their set-piece threat throughout the Mick McCarthy era – defenders Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra plus centre-forward Daryl Murphy – are still there so the menace remains.
Albion's back four usher a cross to safety at Brentford
Perhaps the missing link is that Paul Anderson, whose delivery laid on many of those set-piece goals, is no longer there.
But the potential threat remains, especially as five of the seven goals Albion conceded in the three games going into their 0-0 draw at Brentford were as a result of corners which were not properly dealt with.
They got it right at Griffin Park and Stockdale will call for the same tonight.
“It’s more of a team thing. The gaffer had a word and then you have just got to take individual responsibility for your man.
“When I was arguing with Beram (Kayal during the Brentford game), it’s not because I don’t like Beram, it’s because I want Beram to do the best he can for us because he can win a game for us.
Ipswich defender Tommy Smith scores from a corner at the Amex two seasons ago
“There’s nothing else to it. It’s individual responsibility.
“If your man scores, it’s your fault. We have got to take that on board.
“Luckily we have got a lot of men in this side and a lot of brotherhood.
“There is a great team spirit and, once someone tells you, you don’t want to let that someone down.”
Stockdale goes into the latest clash against one of his old clubs in good form.
He ended a six-game wait for a clean sheet by making a trio of fine saves on Boxing Day at Brentford.
Reaction to his performance there among West London media was interesting.
If you report on Brentford, chances are you also follow Fulham.
And there appeared to be widespread bewilderment as they reflected on Saturday’s game as to why the Cottagers let him go.
Stockdale’s previous club are more concerned with keeping away from relegation danger than joining the promotion race at the moment.
But Hull are in the thick of the Premier League hunt at the moment and Stockdale believes Ipswich, who he served before that, are also big players at the top end of the table.
He said: “You can’t rule Ipswich out. They are a Mick McCarthy side.
“I really think highly of Mick. He knows what he wants , he gets everything he can out of his players.
“His players give their all for them.
“It will be very tough. If we aren’t at it, it could be backs to the wall again and we don’t want that at home."
“They’ve got good players, a good manager, so why wouldn’t they come on strong.
“Ipswich are a good side, they will bring a lot of fans, good fans. There will be a good atmosphere.
“Hopefully we make it more than 45 minutes of good play rather than just a half-game.
“We want to really put in 90 minutes at home. We are looking to win our home games.”
Original article
But, as they prepare to face some of the strongest set-piece exponents in the Championship, the big goalkeeper has broken what is required right down to basics.
The key to preventing goals from corners, he reckons, is individual responsibility and a desire not to let your mates down.
They might need that as Ipswich come to town tonight.
The Tractor Boys scored 19 goals from set-pieces last season, a number bettered only by promoted duo Watford and Bournemouth.
Their tally of 24 in 2013-14 put them five clear of their closest challengers.
This season they are only mid-table for strikes from deadball situations but they still have five to their name.
The players who have posed their set-piece threat throughout the Mick McCarthy era – defenders Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra plus centre-forward Daryl Murphy – are still there so the menace remains.
Albion's back four usher a cross to safety at Brentford
Perhaps the missing link is that Paul Anderson, whose delivery laid on many of those set-piece goals, is no longer there.
But the potential threat remains, especially as five of the seven goals Albion conceded in the three games going into their 0-0 draw at Brentford were as a result of corners which were not properly dealt with.
They got it right at Griffin Park and Stockdale will call for the same tonight.
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“It’s more of a team thing. The gaffer had a word and then you have just got to take individual responsibility for your man.
“When I was arguing with Beram (Kayal during the Brentford game), it’s not because I don’t like Beram, it’s because I want Beram to do the best he can for us because he can win a game for us.
Ipswich defender Tommy Smith scores from a corner at the Amex two seasons ago
“There’s nothing else to it. It’s individual responsibility.
“If your man scores, it’s your fault. We have got to take that on board.
“Luckily we have got a lot of men in this side and a lot of brotherhood.
“There is a great team spirit and, once someone tells you, you don’t want to let that someone down.”
Stockdale goes into the latest clash against one of his old clubs in good form.
He ended a six-game wait for a clean sheet by making a trio of fine saves on Boxing Day at Brentford.
Reaction to his performance there among West London media was interesting.
If you report on Brentford, chances are you also follow Fulham.
And there appeared to be widespread bewilderment as they reflected on Saturday’s game as to why the Cottagers let him go.
Stockdale’s previous club are more concerned with keeping away from relegation danger than joining the promotion race at the moment.
But Hull are in the thick of the Premier League hunt at the moment and Stockdale believes Ipswich, who he served before that, are also big players at the top end of the table.
He said: “You can’t rule Ipswich out. They are a Mick McCarthy side.
“I really think highly of Mick. He knows what he wants , he gets everything he can out of his players.
“His players give their all for them.
“It will be very tough. If we aren’t at it, it could be backs to the wall again and we don’t want that at home."
“They’ve got good players, a good manager, so why wouldn’t they come on strong.
“Ipswich are a good side, they will bring a lot of fans, good fans. There will be a good atmosphere.
“Hopefully we make it more than 45 minutes of good play rather than just a half-game.
“We want to really put in 90 minutes at home. We are looking to win our home games.”
Original article