Why can’t we defend set plays?

[Serpico]

To score form a corner/set piece is so bloody hard but teams see to do it against us with ease. We set up the same every game so teams can do their homework and find the weak player/team weakness.

We can defend them, it's just we give so many away that eventually one goes in.

No we can't because we are exposed with our formulaic approach. Doing the same week in exposes your weaknesses and give opponents the advantage. That goes for the way we set up each week as well.

 

[Serpico]

The funny thing is - the hands behind the back is in an unnatural position - i mean who the fuck walks and runs around with hands behind their backs being natural?

Thats what the ruling has made all players do.

 

[parj]

Mentally, our players must be exhausted towards the end of the game having to concentrate on defending for the majority of the game. It's the only way I can explain so many late goals conceded from set pieces

 

[midoshairband]

we can. we just concede so much possesion and territory the oppo gets plenty of corners. so law of averages says we will conceded from one sooner or later.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Because we concede so many due to the way were are set up defending so deep and inviting consistent pressure. It would be interesting to see how many corners we concede v the other top 6 teams

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

We need faster defenders with better decision making skills, so that we can sign and deploy midfielders that are different from the Sissoko/Højbjerg pairing so that we can move the block further up. It’s a bit of a puzzle.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

We need faster defenders with better decision making skills, so that we can sign and deploy midfielders that are different from the Sissoko/Højbjerg pairing so that we can move the block further up. It’s a bit of a puzzle.

It would also have helped in we brought on one of our 3 centre backs towards the end to shore up the defence when defending corners/free kicks but no we brought on 3 ineffective midfielders/forwards.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

It would also have helped in we brought on one of our 3 centre backs towards the end to shore up the defence when defending corners/free kicks but no we brought on 3 ineffective midfielders/forwards.

If only the coaches had seen that situation earlier in the season and had some experience to draw from.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

If only the coaches had seen that situation earlier in the season and had some experience to draw from.

The most concerning part is JM post match interview where he said he didn’t tell the players to set up so defensively yet for the last 3 EPL matches that’s what they’ve done. Sounds like the players have either stopped listening to him and/or they’re revolting which never ends well.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

The most concerning part is JM post match interview where he said he didn’t tell the players to set up so defensively yet for the last 3 EPL matches that’s what they’ve done. Sounds like the players have either stopped listening to him and/or they’re revolting which never ends well.

Hmmm. Well if there’s a lack in alignment between I instructions and actions, there must be a communication flaw somewhere?

 

[Serpico]

Mentally, our players must be exhausted towards the end of the game having to concentrate on defending for the majority of the game. It's the only way I can explain so many late goals conceded from set pieces

I don't feel this is the case anymore. A lot have been suggesting this as well me but really If you enjoy defending then you'll play all night. I feel the players are labouring this way of playing and that exhausts the mind and body. They don't really want to do it and want the game to end so lose concentration. At one nil its the other team have hope. Players know law of averages they will get away with most attacks unfortunately the opposition have so many the average goes up for them.

The players come alive when we chase to win the game.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

We need faster defenders with better decision making skills, so that we can sign and deploy midfielders that are different from the Sissoko/Højbjerg pairing so that we can move the block further up. It’s a bit of a puzzle.

I wouldn't call any of the 3 CB's we played against Wolves as slow.

At the end of the day its Jose that's got to have the balls to push our back line higher up. Which he wont do we know this.

 

[Hazelton]

If you defend for 75% of the game then the other team is attacking for 75% of the game and you increase your likelihood of eventually conceding. The best way to keep a lead is to keep the ball yet we continue to give it away willingly.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I wouldn't call any of the 3 CB's we played against Wolves as slow.

At the end of the day its Jose that's got to have the balls to push our back line higher up. Which he wont do we know this.

Nah I disagree that “we know this”. I fully believe that there’s is a way Mourinho wants to play that he feels he can’t because of the present squad.

 

[parj]

I don't feel this is the case anymore. A lot have been suggesting this as well me but really If you enjoy defending then you'll play all night. I feel the players are labouring this way of playing and that exhausts the mind and body. They don't really want to do it and want the game to end so lose concentration. At one nil its the other team have hope. Players know law of averages they will get away with most attacks unfortunately the opposition have so many the average goes up for them.

The players come alive when we chase to win the game.

That's the thing though, the defenders might enjoy defending but the attackers and midfielders don't. To play the way we do, it's the while team that has to enjoy it. The reason Stoke and Bolton were so good at it because they knew that's how they had to play. Ours know we can play a lot better.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

If you defend for 75% of the game then the other team is attacking for 75% of the game and you increase your likelihood of eventually conceding. The best way to keep a lead is to keep the ball yet we continue to give it away willingly.

Our counter attacking set up against City and Arsenal worked a treat as we had 2 quick players up front to a) target and b) to counter. Whereas the last couple of games we’ve only had an exhausted Son which in addition to his fatigue we’ve not had any other player to play a long ball to = no outlet = under siege for 90 mins.

I do feel for JM as Moura has been appalling and Bergwijn not much better. Whereas Lamela has been injured as is Lo Celso and Alli is a shadow of his former self.

I know it’s a bit left field but I would be tempted to give Clarke some minutes as he’s fully of energy and has decent pace. Some may laugh but look at the Arsenal line up v Chelsea... on paper it looked a massacre in the making but in reality Arsenal battered them (with the exception of the last 5 mins).

 

[Monkey boy]

I don't feel this is the case anymore. A lot have been suggesting this as well me but really If you enjoy defending then you'll play all night. I feel the players are labouring this way of playing and that exhausts the mind and body. They don't really want to do it and want the game to end so lose concentration. At one nil its the other team have hope. Players know law of averages they will get away with most attacks unfortunately the opposition have so many the average goes up for them.

The players come alive when we chase to win the game.

May go some way to explain how it’s been Kane caught on his heels for the goals against Liverpool and Wolves.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Nah I disagree that “we know this”. I fully believe that there’s is a way Mourinho wants to play that he feels he can’t because of the present squad.

Stop making excuses for the guy. Southampton are playing an attractive, attacking style of play with Bednarek and Vestergaard at the back.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Stop making excuses for the guy. Southampton are playing an attractive, attacking style of play with Bednarek and Vestergaard at the back.

I don’t think I ma making excuses. As you have seen I assume in other threads I have concerns, so I’m trying not not be tribal in the Mourinho questions but see pros and cons. However, I do not think that we see how Mourinho “would like” to play. I think we see the result of possibly erroneous or imbalanced attempts at mitigating perceived solidity flaws.

 

[ebzrascal]

I think the issue is we conceed too many corners and free kicks around the box for a so called top team. I suspect we give away as many dead ball situations as a relegation team. That is a big issue for me as we seem happy to give away those free kicks and corners but eventually we get punished..