[Albion] Surely we must have some decent free kick takers in this squad?

[Seagull58]

32% is the hit the target PL success rate.

Ward-Prowse has the best numbers at 53%, scoring 12.5% of his PL freekicks taken.

JWP has scored 21.7% of his direct free kicks over the last 5 years. That 12.5% must include free kicks where he didn't try to score.

 

[Mike Small]

I really don't want our centre back trying to take free kicks like Ronaldo did once successfully in 2007. Yesterday's effort was one of his most accurate yet was pretty much a side foot down the middle of the goal.

We need someone with guile who could potentially get it up and over the wall either side rather than what Dunk is doing. Would like to see Fati have a go or Pascal every now and then (Enciso when he's back). The way Dunk takes free kicks, he needs to stay away from the ones close the edge of the area. A bit further out - fair enough but just let someone else smack it true and hard when close rather than this weird laces action he does which hasn't ever worked in all the bloody years he's being having a go (the one at Liverpool doesn't count as the goalie wasn't ready and he passed it into the net).

Very happy to be proved wrong!

 

[AstroSloth]

It’s not even just free kicks. Our awful record from corners I think is a lot about delivery as well. I love Pascal but his corners are a bit floaty, and March (pre injury) very inconsistent. Given how well coached we are otherwise I’m surprised we’ve not got more focus on it, it seems like something that should be quite coachable.

Actually incorrect. Groß is one of the most accurate corner takers in the league, finding our players the most out of any player in the league from corners I remember seeing in an article a while back

 

[dazzer6666]

I really don't want our centre back trying to take free kicks like Ronaldo did once successfully in 2007. Yesterday's effort was one of his most accurate yet was pretty much a side foot down the middle of the goal.

We need someone with guile who could potentially get it up and over the wall either side rather than what Dunk is doing. Would like to see Fati have a go or Pascal every now and then (Enciso when he's back). The way Dunk takes free kicks, he needs to stay away from the ones close the edge of the area. A bit further out - fair enough but just let someone else smack it true and hard when close rather than this weird laces action he does which hasn't ever worked in all the bloody years he's being having a go (the one at Liverpool doesn't count as the goalie wasn't ready and he passed it into the net).

Very happy to be proved wrong!

But……...what has Fati done that makes you think he could hit a decent free kick ?

Dunk is only taking the because he’ll have the best numbers in training……not sure what else we can go on. If we get one in a different position (ie more to the left or right) suspect someone else will be taking it. The Dunky knuckleball only really works when it’s relatively straight

 

[Mike Small]

But……...what has Fati done that makes you think he could hit a decent free kick ?

Dunk is only taking the because he’ll have the best numbers in training……not sure what else we can go on. If we get one in a different position (ie more to the left or right) suspect someone else will be taking it. The Dunky knuckleball only really works when it’s relatively straight

Fati is technically class and 'Dunky's knuckleball' (like that!) has never worked has it? No idea if Fati is any better but want someone else taking them rather than all of these Dunk efforts although he is getting closer I suppose!

 

[dazzer6666]

Fati is technically class and 'Dunky's knuckleball' (like that!) has never worked has it? No idea if Fati is any better but want someone else taking them rather than all of these Dunk efforts although he is getting closer I suppose!

Dunky has to score one in 15 to be at par on direct free kicks
He’s evidently the best in training (otherwise he wouldn’t be taking them)
Has Fati ever scored a direct free kick ? How much does he practice it ? What are his tracmaster stats for dip/speed etc ?

 

[AstroSloth]

Fati is technically class and 'Dunky's knuckleball' (like that!) has never worked has it? No idea if Fati is any better but want someone else taking them rather than all of these Dunk efforts although he is getting closer I suppose!

So you'd rather someone else, who we have no idea if they even practice free kicks, take them than the player who hit the bar and forced a good save from his last two and clearly has shown in training he's good at them.

 

[AstroSloth]

Fati is technically class and 'Dunky's knuckleball' (like that!) has never worked has it? No idea if Fati is any better but want someone else taking them rather than all of these Dunk efforts although he is getting closer I suppose!

Why don't we stick Igor in goal actually. He's tall and good on the ball so why not.

 

[Mike Small]

Dunky has to score one in 15 to be at par on direct free kicks
He’s evidently the best in training (otherwise he wouldn’t be taking them)
Has Fati ever scored a direct free kick ? How much does he practice it ? What are his tracmaster stats for dip/speed etc ?

Bar a quickly taken one in 2019 has Dunk ever scored a direct free kick? How much does he practice it? What are his tracmaster stats for dip/speed etc?

I didn't know you got to watch Albion train. How do you know he is the best in training?

Dunk's scoring ratio is not even close to 1 in 15.

 

[dazzer6666]

Bar a quickly taken one in 2019 has Dunk ever scored a direct free kick? How much does he practice it? What are his tracmaster stats for dip/speed etc?

I didn't know you got to watch Albion train. How do you know he is the best in training?

Dunk's scoring ratio is not even close to 1 in 15.

I doubt he would be taking them if we had someone better…….
Dunk’s ratio is exactly 1 in 15

Lewis Dunk Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more | FBref.com

Check out the latest domestic and international stats, match logs, goals, height, weight and more for Lewis Dunk playing for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, England men's national team and Bristol City FC in the Premier League, UEFA Euro and Championship

fbref.com

 

[Mike Small]

So you'd rather someone else, who we have no idea if they even practice free kicks, take them than the player who hit the bar and forced a good save from his last two and clearly has shown in training he's good at them.

Do you have any idea if Dunk practices free kicks? Dunk has got closer in his last two but what about the previous 20 or so? Dunk's style of free kick wasn't suited for either of the last two free kicks as it needed someone to get them up and over. Not hard and in a straight line.

 

[Mike Small]

I doubt he would be taking them if we had someone better…….
Dunk’s ratio is exactly 1 in 15

https://fbref.com/en/players/282f75...ut keeping typing these witty things Slothy.

http://

 

[Mike Small]

Why don't we stick Igor in goal actually. He's tall and good on the ball so why not.

Wanting a more attacking player with more guile and skill over his shooting to take the free kicks isn't exactly the same as wanting a centre back to go in goal but keep typing these witty things Slothy.

 

[Wardy's twin]

I doubt he would be taking them if we had someone better…….
Dunk’s ratio is exactly 1 in 15

Lewis Dunk Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more | FBref.com

Check out the latest domestic and international stats, match logs, goals, height, weight and more for Lewis Dunk playing for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, England men's national team and Bristol City FC in the Premier League, UEFA Euro and Championship

fbref.com

and that probably doesn't include the decent free kick he took against WBA which had to be retaken because of referee incompetence....

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Do you have any idea if Dunk practices free kicks?

Given he's taking free kicks for a team who are 7th in the Premier League, I think we can be reasonably certain he's practising them.
The alternative, while highly amusing to imagine, is clearly nonsensical.

 

[Giraffe]

Can’t believe this is still open for debate. Have you seen the last two. He is decent. Gross was probably the last regular to get one but how long ago? How many has he failed with since?

 

[AstroSloth]

Wanting a more attacking player with more guile and skill over his shooting to take the free kicks isn't exactly the same as wanting a centre back to go in goal but keep typing these witty things Slothy.

Free kicks aren't the same as shooting from open play. They require a completely different technique.

 

[Bozza]

Forest (a): over the bar

 

[giveusfalmerplease]

What about Pedro? he's been brilliant (100%) so far for penalties which are also dead balls..

 

[HHGull]

MOTD stat tonight shows Sterling scores his second direct free kick in 361 PL appearances.

So there’s hope for Lewis yet.