What happened to Micky Adams inventive set pieces?

[Jimmy Grimble]

Last time he was here our set pieces were generally very good and caught teams out. I know a lot of that was to do with Watson and Zamora but I've been surprised by the poor standard we've seen so far this season. I seem to remember Arsene Wenger saying Leicester's set piece moves were up there with the best in the Premier League when Adams was there, so what's happened? Why haven’t we seen anything creative from a dead ball situation yet? Why haven’t we scored from any set-pieces yet? (Discounting Forster's penalties)

*Awaits the answer "Dean Cox happend"*

 

[DJ Leon]

Because Alan Cork was the set piece genius. He used to scribble them on beer mats I believe.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Richards against Barnet....

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Virgo against Barnet...

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Yes, I know, both against the worst team in the football league who couldn't mark to save their banjo strings.

 

[British Bulldog]

I think we used them all up against Barnet.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

'Clever' set pieces almost invariably fail anyway. If its in range, I'd rather we just HIT the thing.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

We tried one 'clever' set piece, I think against Orient, but Hawkins completely f***ed the header back across the goal.

Other than that and the ones against Barnet, I can't actually remember us having a set piece. But I assume we have, and therefore it was inevitably looped up in the air by Cox, aiming at Thomson.

 

[clarkey]

The goal Virgo scored against barnet is inventive and has been tried since but hasnt quite come off.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I remember the one against Orient, and I remember us f***ing up corner after corner in other games. But Yeovil was the worst so far, the delivery was awful every time without fail.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

And defending set peices too.

I thought it was a Wilkins thing that EVERYBODY had to be back defending but it's carried on under MA. It's plain crazy and I've not seen another team do it. So, when we clear the ball there's no one to aim for and we are just giving the ball back to the opposition, apart from the fact that, with no forwards to mark, the opposition has more players free to push forward.

I'd have the 2 fastest players up on the halfway line but wide on each wing. That would mean the opposition would need at least 3 players back covering and, with plenty of pace, we could chase those lumped clearences.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I liked the one against Orient (I think). When four men ran in diagonally, parallel to each other.

Basically, we have been shite at set-pieces since we lost Watson and Currie. We need someone that represent some sort of specialist rather than any old sailor. McLeod does not look too bad and produces a decent ball every other effort, but he has been injured and unfit too much!

 

[Easy 10]

While we're on the subject then.
Why is it whenever there is a goal kick (either team), all 20 outfield players cluster into an area of about 25 sq yards ? You could practically throw a tablecloth over them. There's the usual head-tennis and scramble for possession every time as this "herd" of players shift vaguely towards the area of the pitch where the keeper is gonna hoof it.

Why can we not, for once, have a player TIGHT to the touchline when a goal kick is being taken. On the offchance that we win it, he will be in ACRES of space. At worse, he'll spread a few more defenders out his way to cover, creating more space for where the keepers hoof will end up.

I am constantly BAFFLED as to why every outfield player feels the need to CLUSTER into a mob in readiness for a GK, when one player could change it all by simply stepping 20 yards outside to the flank.

Or am I being SILLY

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

Good point, Easy, it's sometimes like watching kids play when they all stand together waiting for the ball. Totally daft.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Totally agree Easy. I have had similar thoughts through out various games. We (and all other teams) seem quite happy to follow the unwritten rules. Why not have Kuipers motion everyone to go to the left and then delicately pass the ball to the right with one of our men making a break for it (preferably the quickest - whoever that might be).

See below...

 

[Easy 10]

Totally agree Easy. I have had similar thoughts through out various games. We (and all other teams) seem quite happy to follow the unwritten rules. Why not have Kuipers motion everyone to go to the left and then delicately pass the ball to the right with one of our men making a break for it (preferably the quickest - whoever that might be).

See below...

You've been playing with Deano's TACTICS board, havn't you Mr Fun.
I want you in our DUGOUT

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I am Mr White. "I don't tip!"

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I dont think Watson taking a quick one to Zamora was really that clever?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Totally agree Easy. I have had similar thoughts through out various games. We (and all other teams) seem quite happy to follow the unwritten rules. Why not have Kuipers motion everyone to go to the left and then delicately pass the ball to the right with one of our men making a break for it (preferably the quickest - whoever that might be).

See below...

Hahahahaha. 'Sake BoF, have you completely forgotten who our keeper is?

Michel bless him, can't 'delicately' fade it into one specific area! Its as much as he can do to keep it on the field, so straight up the middle gives him the greatest margin for error!!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Totally agree Easy. I have had similar thoughts through out various games. We (and all other teams) seem quite happy to follow the unwritten rules. Why not have Kuipers motion everyone to go to the left and then delicately pass the ball to the right with one of our men making a break for it (preferably the quickest - whoever that might be).

See below...

Great use of graphics BoF - can this be made into a regular feature?