[Albion] The Villa Goal - Defending set pieces

[WATFORD zero]

The Villa goal yesterday, it was Webster's player who was left free and I've seen various comments of 'why didn't he go with him', 'Webster needs to wake up' etc

However, Webster was deliberately blocked by a Villa player coming in the opposite direction from an offside position, meaning his player, who was onside, got away. This has happened more than once this season and is, I believe, perceived as a weakness and worked on by the opposition in training. (Particularly teams like Villa, who will throw themselves to the floor every opportunity).

So, what do we do to counter it ?

 

[TottonSeagull]

Play Veltman instead of Webster. You can see from our players reaction that they didn’t appeal for a foul on Webster. Unfortunately it happens to much to Webster!

 

[Biscuit Barrel]

I saw is differently. I thought the villa player stopped running / stood his ground and Webster ran into him.

 

[A1X]

So, what do we do to counter it ?

Stop giving away stupid free kicks around our penalty area?

 

[WATFORD zero]

Play Veltman instead of Webster. You can see from our players reaction that they didn’t appeal for a foul on Webster. Unfortunately it happens to much to Webster!

Why would the villa players not block Veltman?

 

[WATFORD zero]

Stop giving away stupid free kicks around our penalty area?

Definitely!

But this has been going on for years, watch an old England corner with Sheringham/Shearer. I'm just wondering what ideas people have for countering this?

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Stop giving away stupid free kicks around our penalty area?

Difficult with the way we play and every opposition player throwing themselves to the ground when touched.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

We have done it ourselves. In our case the decision goes against us.

The counter would be to put the wall further back, in the six yard box.

Other than that, there is no defence against a man standing still, standing in your way.

 

[Guinness Boy]

It was all so very 2020 / VAR.

Surely part of the reason many sides have a high line defending these free kicks is to try to catch the opposition with a toenail offside (of course, if they fluff the kick it also gives us a head start in transition). The weakness is that it leaves a massive space between keeper and back line for the ball to be played into. There is nothing to stop attacking players being in that space so long as they either get onside just before the kick is taken or don't attempt to play the ball.

Very often attackers will start offside and run back onside (conveniently blocking a zonal defender) or stand still (conveniently blocking a zonal defender) which is what they did to Webster yesterday. In the old days it would have been offside as the blocker is clearly interfering with play (though I go along with Clough's interpretation of that old rule which said you were interfering by being on the pitch). Now it can be interpreted as being on as no attempt is made to play the ball. It is NOT a foul on Webster so long as they don't move to block him off and he runs into them but the offside rule needs looking at - in more than this way though.

 

[blockhseagull]

Play Veltman instead of Webster. You can see from our players reaction that they didn’t appeal for a foul on Webster. Unfortunately it happens to much to Webster!

No people just make more of it when it’s Webster.

White or Dunk seem to be immune when they make errors.

 

[Guinness Boy]

No people just make more of it when it’s Webster.

White or Dunk seem to be immune when they make errors.

Plus it wasn't an error. Under the rules it was a very clever set piece.

 

[dangull]

I think Brighton in general defended set pieces quite well in this game. They had countless corners which came to nothing.

 

[Dunk&Disorderly]

Thought Webster had a brilliant first half as well, shame.

 

[um bongo molongo]

Hold a higher line and don’t have a keeper who’s a midget and never comes for crosses?

 

[SweatyMexican]

We need to start thinking dirty at these set pieces. We’re too nice. We’re got our jobs and “here’s how it’s gonna go”, and then suddenly the opposition do something dirty or unexpected like block a player off and suddenly we’re a goal down.

Need Charlie Oatway back to grab someone’s nadgers or do a quick stamp on the foot.

 

[timbha]

I think Brighton in general defended set pieces quite well in this game. They had countless corners which came to nothing.

Poor defensive header by Biss? near the end in the lead up to the non penalty incident

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Hold a higher line and don’t have a keeper who’s a midget and never comes for crosses?

I wouldn't put it quite so bluntly, but yes, there are plenty of Premier league goalies who would have come out and claimed that cross.

I still maintain Potter picking Sanchez was based on him being the kind of big goalie that Potter wants, and we could see more of him sooner than later

 

[phoenix]

I wouldn't put it quite so bluntly, but yes, there are plenty of Premier league goalies who would have come out and claimed that cross.

I still maintain Potter picking Sanchez was based on him being the kind of big goalie that Potter wants, and we could see more of him sooner than later

Nailled it

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Nailled it

As in Henderson according to the Sun
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/13262337/dean-henderson-loan-man-utd-leeds-transfer/amp/

 

[GT49er]

As in Henderson according to the Sun
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/13262337/dean-henderson-loan-man-utd-leeds-transfer/amp/

Good 'keeper - but on the other hand it'd look like another block in the way of progress for our young players. Like several others now, I'd be hoping for Sanchez to get a run of games before January.