Tactical emphasis on setpieces a problem?

dholliday · January 7, 2012

I think it is.

Since losing that awful cup game vs Reading a coupla years back I've noticed how more reliant our team are on setpieces. It's as if the training sessions do nothing but obsessive detail work on dead-ball situations.

Remember how we looked during the first half of last season? We were passing the ball around nicely but in the opposition-third had absolutely no clue what to do with it. Only when we got a free-kick, throw-in or corner did we see some cohesive movement.

Now that problem is amplified to the point where we're so set in our ways that we struggle to break down a non-league side using open play. We needed a corner and a pen to edge our way past them.

Anyone else feel this is an issue which could be addressed with the current setup or would we need a fresh coaching team? Our players are fine...relatively anyway. I think they can play better than they are doing, specifically in open play, but that requires different training methods.

Of course...it would help if we had more attack-minded coaches :dodgy:

Frank Drebin · January 7, 2012

Our tactics are to give it to Baines.

That is Plan A, B and C.

Plan D is a Hibbo riot contingency plan.

Roztitute · January 7, 2012

Frank Drebin said:
Our tactics are to give it to Baines.

That is Plan A, B and C.

Plan D is a Hibbo riot contingency plan.

You got a point Frank.
Half the time we just pass to Baines and say 'go Baines go!' We need other attacking outlets!

Jamo Martinez · January 7, 2012

Roztitute said:
You got a point Frank.
Half the time we just pass to Baines and say 'go Baines go!' We need other attacking outlets!

Let's hope he doesn't take that instruction too literally

Brownie · January 7, 2012

It's a massive problem and has been for years. Lack of attacking tactics is my number one criticism of Moyes. Everything else would be easily forgivable if he was better at this for me.

Aidey9 · January 7, 2012

dholliday said:
I think it is.

Since losing that awful cup game vs Reading a coupla years back I've noticed how more reliant our team are on setpieces. It's as if the training sessions do nothing but obsessive detail work on dead-ball situations.

Remember how we looked during the first half of last season? We were passing the ball around nicely but in the opposition-third had absolutely no clue what to do with it. Only when we got a free-kick, throw-in or corner did we see some cohesive movement.

Now that problem is amplified to the point where we're so set in our ways that we struggle to break down a non-league side using open play. We needed a corner and a pen to edge our way past them.

Anyone else feel this is an issue which could be addressed with the current setup or would we need a fresh coaching team? Our players are fine...relatively anyway. I think they can play better than they are doing, specifically in open play, but that requires different training methods.

Of course...it would help if we had more attack-minded coaches

Cant agree on that one mate, sorry. In the past we used to be really good from set pieces and get goals from corners and FK's but we dont seem to score from any these days, maybe the odd FK but thats rare!.

All we emphasize on is working the ball down the left with Baines the main man to cross or we go long from the back and look to build on knock downs or flick ons and we cant even do that as we dont commit enough bodies forward to get on the end of knock downs or flick ons!.

Only thing i do agree with you is, we need more attack, pass and move minded coaches, all ours apart from Sheedy seem to be defensive, or played at the back in there footballing days, and not to the best of standards either, apart from Stubbsy.

BlueLlama · January 7, 2012

Not only are we over reliant on set pieces were are also getting worse at them...

Royal · January 7, 2012

BlueLlama said:
Not only are we over reliant on set pieces were are also getting worse at them...

This. When was our last free kick that went in?

AdamEFC · January 7, 2012

I hate how we leave no men up when we are defending corners.

Kay20 · January 7, 2012

AdamEFC said:
I hate how we leave no men up when we are defending corners.

And if we do manage to get the ball for a counter, we give up on the counter.

Seamus Colemole · January 7, 2012

I honestly don't get excited when we get a corner these days.

We've had loads it seems and barely scored from any.

dholliday · January 11, 2012

Aidey9 said:
Only thing i do agree with you is, we need more attack, pass and move minded coaches, all ours apart from Sheedy seem to be defensive, or played at the back in there footballing days, and not to the best of standards either, apart from Stubbsy.

Yeah...after yet another game where we didn't manage a crack at goal from open play something has to change. I suppose vs Tottenham we had a few shots on goal from open play, but they were all off-target and hardly looked dangerous anyway.

I really don't think the current coaching setup can improve on this, but Moyes isn't helped by having to sell Becks, Arteta & Yak and not having a single penny from that to reinforce. All these loan deals aren't doing much to help long-term cohesion (Drenthe & Donovan won't hang around).

Sell-to-buy? It's even worse than that...

Still...I'd like us just go for it. I'd rather lose 2-6 in a thrilling game rather than the insipid 0-2 where there was only ever one team in it.

BigBlueBalls · January 11, 2012

We still hit the first man, from open play and from dead balls.
And when we do get a good ball into the box, not enough players are chancing a run in.

Zero confidence, very cagey, playing with a lot of fear.

My concern is, should we hit 40 points before the end of the season, will some put their feet up and coast it.