Obvious Weakness being targetted

[MassBlue]

While dealing with crosses is certainly not a strength of Howard, the centre backs weren't dealing with them either. Watching the game, I was disappointed by how many corners and crosses resulted in an Arsenal header rather than an Everton one - defenders are expected to win more than the attackers. It was just a matter of time before they got a goal from a header.

One of the problems with playing youth is that they're not the best at defending set pieces. Barkley's been a bit under the spotlight for it. And there's an insightful moment in the post-Arsenal press conference where RM says, 'You have to get hurt' (when defending set pieces). I wonder if he's talking about Stones. For all the love around for him, he's not (yet) the most most commanding in the air...

 

[Khalekan]

Have we been well and truly sussed?

Indeed we have, Tony.....a good twelve months ago.

Walcott has been playing well fir them as central striker of late but he was dropped in favour of aground today....the latter employed to do exactly whst you said.

Big Sam will do the same next week.

 

[Caolam]

Most teams will seek to expose Howard now. I expect us to face an aerial bombardment in our next lot of games. Teams would be foolish to ignore the fact that our keeper cannot command this area and our central defenders have no confidence in him to make routine catches.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

Most teams will seek to expose Howard now. I expect us to face an aerial bombardment in our next lot of games. Teams would be foolish to ignore the fact that our keeper cannot command this area and our central defenders have no confidence in him to make routine catches.

Most teams try to expose the goalkeeper, it's called trying to score. We put Cech under pressure at times yesterday and De Gea under pressure last week.

 

[Chang Elephant]

Most teams try to expose the goalkeeper, it's called trying to score

Most teams don't bang crosses into the six yard box though because they think the opposition goalkeeper will clean it out. Get used to seeing this against us for the rest of the season.

 

[Caolam]

Most teams don't bang crosses into the six yard box though because they think the opposition goalkeeper will clean it out. Get used to seeing this against us for the rest of the season.

Is this why we play with two holding midfielders and two tracking back. Does Martinez know we can't deal with crosses and he is trying to stop them coming in.
A goalkeeper must be our No 1 priority in the transfer window.

 

[daz4matty]

Most teams don't bang crosses into the six yard box though because they think the opposition goalkeeper will clean it out. Get used to seeing this against us for the rest of the season.

Lets hope we actually do something about it instead of just watching it happen

 

[mlyons]

Nobody on our team (except maybe Funes Mori) can deal with crosses, though. None of our defenders are any good in the air. Which, on the one hand, means it's even more important to have a goalkeeper who can claim them, but also means we're exacerbating what looks to be his biggest weakness. Arsenal weren't just targeting Howard yesterday; they were targeting Stones and Jagielka, too.

 

[royvernon39]

Arsenal weren't just targeting Howard yesterday; they were targeting Stones and Jagielka, too.

And that is why Giroud started and not Walcott.

With Robles and Funes Mori playing our weakness in the air will be a thing of the past.

 

[Joey66]

Nobody on our team (except maybe Funes Mori) can deal with crosses, though. None of our defenders are any good in the air. Which, on the one hand, means it's even more important to have a goalkeeper who can claim them, but also means we're exacerbating what looks to be his biggest weakness. Arsenal weren't just targeting Howard yesterday; they were targeting Stones and Jagielka, too.

Agree partially, but the defence looked more comfortable when Robles was in last season for three games as he dominated his box!
Not seen enough of him to say he is the ideal replacement , but anything is better than Tim Coward!

 

[riddick]

Its a bit 'funny' that years ago with Lescott in the team I never cared about having a corner. Knew it would be sorted. Likewise thought there was a chance we would score if we had one on the other side.

Now its almost completely reversed. Im terrified of when corners are against the team and completely bored whenever they have one as I know theres almost no chance they would score.

 

[mlyons]

If Joel puts in a good performance against Norwich, I'd be all for leaving him in for the Sunderland match. Howard's in bad form and shouldn't be undroppable. I think the idea that we have to give Robles ten matches on the bounce to prove himself is ridiculous, though. I also don't think he's very good on crosses, either -- he comes for them more than Howard does, but he also has a tendency to miss them badly when he comes for them. I'd be happy to be shown to be wrong, though. If he really is better than Howard, that can only be a good thing.

 

[Joey66]

Its a bit 'funny' that years ago with Lescott in the team I never cared about having a corner. Knew it would be sorted. Likewise thought there was a chance we would score if we had one on the other side.

Now its almost completely reversed. Im terrified of when corners are against the team and completely bored whenever they have one as I know theres almost no chance they would score.

Yes But Tim Coward has a big phobia now those balls were so close to him plus add the Derby INGS one - it was a joke to blame RB!
Off the top of my head goals conceded from crosses in the past month - WBA -corner- Derby corner- Unt corner
yesterday TWO inside his six yard box - We have a big problem we will have to score three every game to win or draw with him in goal!

 

[Toffeelover]

Apart from Howard when did you last see one of defence heading a cross away.

 

[Shipped]

We've conceded 4 from set pieces in our last 4 games.
Not pointing the finger anywhere in particular but it needs fixing fast.