Defending Set Pieces

[BrendanGOT]

Other than the fact that man marking completely changes the dynamic.

We were poor at set pieces before Silva and while using man marking. This isn't directed at you specifically but I feel like people harping on about zonal marking are doing so without really any substance or understanding of what it really is, i.e. they seen someone write it on Twitter or overheard it at the match and are just regurgitating it every time we concede. We've been poor at set pieces for as long as I remember, it's too early to tell if it has gotten worse therefore I'm willing to give them time to implement new ideas in the hope that it makes us better at set pieces! One thing for sure is that we look improved already at attacking set pieces so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Silva obviously has a good understanding of that part of the game and considers it important unlike previous managers. Players like Mina with their height and prescene will also help on set pieces when they come into the fold. I'm not worried yet, I think we'll only get better.

 

[TheVelourFog]

Why wasn't man marking blamed every time we conceded from a set piece before?

 

[carolinablue232]

We were poor at set pieces before Silva and while using man marking. This isn't directed at you specifically but I feel like people harping on about zonal marking are doing so without really any substance or understanding of what it really is, i.e. they seen someone write it on Twitter or overheard it at the match and are just regurgitating it every time we concede. We've been poor at set pieces for as long as I remember, it's too early to tell if it has gotten worse therefore I'm willing to give them time to implement new ideas in the hope that it makes us better at set pieces! One thing for sure is that we look improved already at attacking set pieces so I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Silva obviously has a good understanding of that part of the game and considers it important unlike previous managers. Players like Mina with their height and prescene will also help on set pieces when they come into the fold. I'm not worried yet, I think we'll only get better.

That’s all fair, but we’ve conceded 3 goals from corners in the last 3 matches. Don’t care how you’re marking, that’s horrible and needs fixing. Also my comment was in response to Tosun being beat to the ball. If he’s not marking space, he’s not in that situation is all I was saying. That said, I don’t like zonal marking, and when Silva was at Watford, they conceded more from corners than any other club in the league. So perhaps it’s not the zonal marking. Maybe it’s the manager’s implementation of it.

 

[Nymzee]

Not sure how Mina really makes a difference to be honest. He’s tall but there’s only say 2” between him and Zouma which is nothing.

I mean I’m 6’5” and don’t really notice much difference with my other tall friends.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

We need Cahill and Fellaini back. Simples.

It's their physicality and desire to win the ball we are missing.

 

[Amw79]

It's their physicality and desire to win the ball we are missing.

Yeah, this. Pains me to say it but that’s what the RS got with Van Dyke. Anything anywhere near him in the air, he commits to win it and attacks it with intent. Saw it at Goodison last year - he won everything in the air.

We’re missing that desire to attack a ball, coupled with a zonal system which leaves players flat footed. Need to address this set play issue, or this thread’s gonna end up longer than the stadium one by the end of the season.

 

[BigBlueConk]

Defending Set Pieces.

When do we start?

 

[Tel001]

I can’t see why anyone would prefer zonal. We have had 3 players totally unmarked , a yard from goal waiting to put the ball in , and that’s just the last two goals. My understanding of zonal is that everyone has their zone to defend ? So what happens if three players attack baines zone? Let’s say that the attacker is 6”4 and knows baines is front post? He just has to stay there and try defend his zone against 3 6”4 players?

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Yeah, this. Pains me to say it but that’s what the RS got with Van Dyke. Anything anywhere near him in the air, he commits to win it and attacks it with intent. Saw it at Goodison last year - he won everything in the air.

We’re missing that desire to attack a ball, coupled with a zonal system which leaves players flat footed. Need to address this set play issue, or this thread’s gonna end up longer than the stadium one by the end of the season.

Got to be prepared to have your face spattered across your face as a defender, if not, you get found out soon enough! And a bit snide helps, like Ramos in champions league final, that shoulder joint role was a beautiful thing?

 

[Lanolin]

Why wasn't man marking blamed every time we conceded from a set piece before?

Because when you use man marking it's easy to see who is to blame. You don't need to blame the system, you can just blame the person who didn't mark his man. In zonal, it's not always clear who is supposed to be doing what, so people will always blame the system.

Not knocking zonal marking in general, but in our case much of the criticism is valid, because it appears that not only are we as fans unsure on who is supposed to be doing what, the players are too.

 

[Giraffe_Baker]

There's nothing wrong with zonal marking, the way we implement the system is awful.

Each goal we've conceded from a corner has come from a run across the front post. They either score directly from it (like Rotherham did) or the flick on falls to someone unmarked in the six-yard box (Ake and Ings).

Some sort of mix between the two would be ideal in my opinion but we can't keep having no zones in our six-yard box.

 

[carolinablue232]

Not sure how Mina really makes a difference to be honest. He’s tall but there’s only say 2” between him and Zouma which is nothing.

I mean I’m 6’5” and don’t really notice much difference with my other tall friends.

Can you play center half and not get injured? We’re in need at the moment.

 

[Nymzee]

Can you play center half and not get injured? We’re in need at the moment.

Unfortunately mate I am abysmal in the air.

 

[diggerdestroyer]

Not aggressive or focused enough in the air. Its simples.

 

[Agent Blue]

Can we not do zonal and man marking in big games.
Just thinking that when we play teams like RS could we use Gana say to man mark Salah or Aguerro when its Citeh and leave Schneiderlin in a Lee Carsley type role.