Something out of Nothing

[morgs]

A

[Ketsbaia]

agree. you're never out of a game if you have good set-pieces

[Yorkie]

Recently, we've only had it in Emre and Solano... unfortunately neither were really utilised to full potential in their last couple of seasons. With Emre it was because he was never in the team cos he was injured (he was probably the best bet for it though if he was playing, however inconsistent, see Everton h); but with Solano it was just frustrating. We were begging for better set piece takers, but Roeder wouldn't let him because he was supposed to be playing right-back.

 

You're right though, we do lack it.

[Mike]

Martins looks capable of it, imo.

 

woops, didn't read the first post.

 

Zoggy looks capable of it, imo.

[Guest Coubury]

I loved the SBR era

[Willow]

We have nothing in this department, which worries me. Its the most vital piece of the jigsaw right now and we need to find it before the window shuts...

[Guest YANKEEBLEEDSMAGPIE]

i concur our set pieces were consistently shit last season.

 

this team taking corner kicks looked like a 5 year old trying to land an airplane last season

[Baggio]

This is why I hope Keegan doesn't give up on Sebastian Larsson, that and him being better than anyone else we've got in midfield.

[Guest Heneage]

Personally I never got what was too difficult from crossing. And I only played Sunday League.

[Baggio]

Has Milner even scored a freekick in a match since breaking through at Leeds?

[Guest Gh0StFaC3]

I agree in that we need 1 or 2 additional 'flair' type players.  At the moment, we've got Martins & that's about it.  You're right in that these are the types of players who can get something out of a game in which we're struggling, by scoring with a free-kick in injury time... or by suddnely getting past a couple of players to score a goal after being on the back foot all game.

 

Every successful team has 1 or two of these types of players in midfield... Barcelona with messi, Chelsea with Cole, Man Utd with Ronaldo etc.

 

The problem is, effective players with these attributes are not cheap & are becomming more & more of a rarity in the modern game where everything is so structured & defense oriented.

They have also been known to go missing for large portions of the game though & often require a lot of the ball in order to make something happen, so there is also a downside in most cases.

 

As far as free-kicks goes, I agree that it makes a huge difference when there's a legitimate threat standing over the ball 30-yards out.  Don't know who's available in this transfer window that could vill this void though, bearing in mind our current wage structure & spending policy on transfer fee's.

I definitely miss the days when Ginola, Robert & even Shearer could consistently send a rocket into the back of the net from set pieces.

[alpal78]

Without recreating a debate on Robert, I always felt he was undervalued (by some) compared to what he contributed to the team on the account that he does not track back enough...get stuck in..etc

 

These set piece specialists can be frustrating at times, how many have complaint when Robert's CK did not clear the first man. But with Robert (and other set piece specialists), you know when they dont clear the first man, it is because they are trying to get in that perfect FK or CK. Unfortunately with the likes of Milner and Geremi, they don't clear the first man because they simply cant. Of course they can hoof the ball high up from a CK but that's meat and drink for any decent CB.

 

As for FK, I used to be so excited when we got a FK from 30/35 yards out coz I knew there was a chance we were gonna score. Even if the keeper saves, there's every chance that we will get a rebound and score. Now, wehn we get a FK even just outside the box, I'm like ...meh....nothing is gonna happen

 

Another spinoff benefit of having set piece specialists, ia that other teams are reluctant to tackle any of our players when in FK range coz they know it will result in a dangerous situation. This reluctance gives our players more space in open play. Without a specialist, the moment Martins or Owen threatens to run at them, the defenders just chop them down coz they know even if we get FK, nothing is gonna happen.

 

 

[Threelegs]

Has Milner even scored a freekick in a match since breaking through at Leeds?

 

He got one against Sunderland last year if im correct. The one where the goalie didnt really dive for it?

 

EDIT: Nah checked, it wasnt a free kick.

[Ronaldo]

It was 12 goals and 21 assists he got that season. Absolute legend

[chicago_shearer]

The delivery has been poor, but a related problem is our lack of height up front and in midfield.  The situation is made more difficult if the targets you are aiming for are 5 ft 5 in tall.  Otherwise I completely agree.  We desperately need midfield players that are comfortable and capable of attacking when they have the ball.  Unless Jonas and Guthrie turn out to be instantly outstanding players, another season of Butt, Geremi & Milner featuring as regulars will be a failure (I'm excluding Barton because it isn't clear what part he will be capable of playing at all this season).  We need to give opposing teams something to worry about in our midfield.  At the moment there is nothing.

[Ronaldo]

Why the hell did we get rid of Emre?

 

no replacement as yet, certainly nobody with his ability in the middle of the park. We got peanuts for him, and squad would look a hell of a lot better with him in it, injury prone or not.

 

clueless man honestly. Time to panic, we need 3 new players in the next 2 weeks and I cant see it happening, fuckers

[Dan Gleebals]

Without recreating a debate on Robert, I always felt he was undervalued (by some) compared to what he contributed to the team on the account that he does not track back enough...get stuck in..etc

 

These set piece specialists can be frustrating at times, how many have complaint when Robert's CK did not clear the first man. But with Robert (and other set piece specialists), you know when they dont clear the first man, it is because they are trying to get in that perfect FK or CK. Unfortunately with the likes of Milner and Geremi, they don't clear the first man because they simply cant. Of course they can hoof the ball high up from a CK but that's meat and drink for any decent CB.

 

As for FK, I used to be so excited when we got a FK from 30/35 yards out coz I knew there was a chance we were gonna score. Even if the keeper saves, there's every chance that we will get a rebound and score. Now, wehn we get a FK even just outside the box, I'm like ...meh....nothing is gonna happen

 

Another spinoff benefit of having set piece specialists, ia that other teams are reluctant to tackle any of our players when in FK range coz they know it will result in a dangerous situation. This reluctance gives our players more space in open play. Without a specialist, the moment Martins or Owen threatens to run at them, the defenders just chop them down coz they know even if we get FK, nothing is gonna happen.

 

 

 

Very good point.  We definately need someone who can delivery a strong FK and CK, without doubt.  The excitment it brings for one but mainly as we can then convert pressure into goals rather than just give the ball back. 

 

It might just be that is Jonas we have the delivery now, who knows.  We defaintely need a dead ball specialist - this summer.

[nobby_solano]

definitely, when SBR was in charge we had a few who could smash in / curl in a free kick - robert, solano, shearer, so it is definitely something we have been lacking for a while. of the current squad geremi is probably the best, but he's not the greatest, no idea if jonas will be any good at taking them but i would welcome signing sebastian larsson

[Dave]

Why the hell did we get rid of Emre?

 

no replacement as yet, certainly nobody with his ability in the middle of the park. We got peanuts for him, and squad would look a hell of a lot better with him in it, injury prone or not.

 

clueless man honestly. Time to panic, we need 3 new players in the next 2 weeks and I cant see it happening, fuckers

 

Absolutely bonkers.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Whether we have Emre in the squad or not makes no difference sadly, the guy never gets on the pitch anyway.

 

Agree we need better set pieces and a bit of sparkle in the midfield... let's hope the club are working overtime to solve this problem before the window closes.

[Ronaldo]

Why the hell did we get rid of Emre?

 

no replacement as yet, certainly nobody with his ability in the middle of the park. We got peanuts for him, and squad would look a hell of a lot better with him in it, injury prone or not.

 

clueless man honestly. Time to panic, we need 3 new players in the next 2 weeks and I cant see it happening, fuckers

 

Absolutely bonkers.

 

care to elaborate sir?

[Dave]

Emre started 8 games last year in all competitions.

[Colos Short and Curlies]

Has Milner even scored a freekick in a match since breaking through at Leeds?

 

He got one against Sunderland last year if im correct. The one where the goalie didnt really dive for it?

 

EDIT: Nah checked, it wasnt a free kick.

 

Didn't he crack one off the bar vs Deportivo in the Intertoto?

 

Not a goal, but as close as  I can remember him getting

[Ronaldo]

Has Milner even scored a freekick in a match since breaking through at Leeds?

 

He got one against Sunderland last year if im correct. The one where the goalie didnt really dive for it?

 

EDIT: Nah checked, it wasnt a free kick.

 

Didn't he crack one off the bar vs Deportivo in the Intertoto?

 

Not a goal, but as close as  I can remember him getting

 

that was Emre

[TRon]

Has Milner even scored a freekick in a match since breaking through at Leeds?

 

Molner doesn't score goals, it's not a natural instinct for him despite having tremendous shooting power. Given a decent opportunity on goal there is a 90% certainty he will fluff it.

 

Agree with you on Larsson as well. I think this is a deal we should be able to force through if we seriously want him.