Defending Corners - A Problem

[harry94]

Over the last few games, I've noticed a repeating issue when defending corners. I have noticed it most at the away games as I've had a good view of it behind the goals but do think it's been happening in all our games so far.

Basically, Bain's range in taking crosses at corners seems to be a lot lower than it was. When you attack a corner, it's pretty common that you will pick a player to cause a nuisance to the 'keeper by blocking their path. A better 'keeper can handle this a bit better with clever movement but their success depends mostly on the defence creating a path for them. In every single game, Cammy Kerr has been instructed to protect Bain but every time I've watched his battle, he's lost. It's not something that's really noticeable unless you are watching for it (the highlights generally miss it as the camera is focused on the taker) but if you look for it, it is an issue. It's not really caused a problem yet but it does bring a lot of extra pressure on us and although anecdotal, these sorts of things do hurt a 'keepers confidence in the game.

We've got McGowan always guarding a post and I really think we've got to switch it and do more to take the pressure off the 'keeper. I get he's an extra pair of eyes and a better communicator but we've got a goalkeeper and two men on the posts who can all see what is happening so I don't think we'd lose much. Bain has to learn how to handle this sort of thing but feel that we're defending them dangerously right now. Even if it doesn't lead to a goal directly, it brings on extra pressure that could have been relieved much earlier.

The third goal here isn't directly caused by it but you can see Bain struggling for air almost as the corner is taken.

 

[Blue4evr]

Similar topic but more to do with when we have a corner. Cannot understand why Holt is told to stay in the centre circle. He's probably our tallest player yet we have guys like Ross and McGowan in the box and he's at the half way line.

[dblair]

I cant seem to get the screen shots to upload but if you look back at it in slow motion IMO its Holt who has made the mistake which leads to the goal there. we are matched up 3 on 3 with Odea Ohara and Holt against their 3. The ball comes in an he steps forward and is caught ball watching as his man peels off the back of him. Who then has the space and time to take the ball down and shoot while Holt is trying to recover. These small things can be very detrimental over the course of a season. It appears we are going man for man so he should have been tracking the player rather than the ball IMO.

 

I do agree re Bain and his reluctance so far this season to command his area, a confidence issue perhaps? Im not sure. Good observation on the man infront protecting him(kerr) perhaps we need to swap him out with someone a bit more physical?

 

10 minutes ago, Blue4evr said:

Similar topic but more to do with when we have a corner. Cannot understand why Holt is told to stay in the centre circle. He's probably our tallest player yet we have guys like Ross and McGowan in the box and he's at the half way line.

Was saying as much in both the rangers and Hamilton matches. Seems crazy to leave him back there when he is what 6 ft 2? I think (and its been obvious) that we have looked a lot more of a threat from set pieces already, add to that we now have another big strong header of the ball in Gomis I could see us scoring a few headers this season hopefully

Edited 28 August 2016 by dblair

[1stevie]

I hate the fact we bring all 11 players back to defend them as when ball is cleared it just comes back.

Leave two players up and the oppo usually leave three back defending.

 

[barkblue]

2 hours ago, Blue4evr said:

Similar topic but more to do with when we have a corner. Cannot understand why Holt is told to stay in the centre circle. He's probably our tallest player yet we have guys like Ross and McGowan in the box and he's at the half way line.

Harley mentioned at the Q&A when he was asked exactly that, that he prefers pacey defenders to hang back when we have a corner, rather than slower CBs, or non-defenders.

It does make sense and yet as we see with O'Hara, I can't help but think that having Holt up there would give the opposition something to think about.

[cookie]

2 hours ago, Blue4evr said:

Similar topic but more to do with when we have a corner. Cannot understand why Holt is told to stay in the centre circle. He's probably our tallest player yet we have guys like Ross and McGowan in the box and he's at the half way line.

It's because he has a heed like a threepenny bit.

 

[Derry Drummer]

First point - cammy is not strong enough to protect bain, but I've noticed refs seemed to give decision our way when Cammy's fouled. Wonder if they potty his age. 

 

Second - Holt lost his man. It got done to death after game. 

 

Third - i agree about having defenders defend. But would cammy and Williams be better? Holts height is needed. 

[gedee]

I think that's a fair point Harry raises here. Although there is obviously a great deal going for Bain, he is not (imo) the most commanding/assertive keeper, I have seen ....and seems to be more comfortable staying on his line. Maybe Kevin Gomiz, who seems to be happy & confident to be "in amongst it" will bring that added presence ...and that in itself will have an overall positive effect on oor keeper & the rest of the defence.

On the issue of our corners .... I agree with the poster above, Kevin Holt (plus Kevin Gomiz) should definitely be up there. Not least for their height & strength. As weel as their nuisance value around the opposing keeper. Step by step, although maybe a wee bit on the slow side, as a team I think we are adjusting & getting there. "Mon the Mighty Dee"

[cookie]

On 28/08/2016 at 18:45, cookie said:

It's because he has a heed like a threepenny bit.

 

Also, he is 6 4" standing but 5 9" when he jumps.

[islaydarkblue]

4 hours ago, Gedee said:

I think that's a fair point Harry raises here. Although there is obviously a great deal going for Bain, he is not (imo) the most commanding/assertive keeper, I have seen ....and seems to be more comfortable staying on his line. Maybe Kevin Gomiz, who seems to be happy & confident to be "in amongst it" will bring that added presence ...and that in itself will have an overall positive effect on oor keeper & the rest of the defence.

On the issue of our corners .... I agree with the poster above, Kevin Holt (plus Kevin Gomiz) should definitely be up there. Not least for their height & strength. As weel as their nuisance value around the opposing keeper. Step by step, although maybe a wee bit on the slow side, as a team I think we are adjusting & getting there. "Mon the Mighty Dee"

I was speaking to a person at the Hamilton game who told me that at the Q & A he asked Paul Hartley why Scott Bain never comes off his line at corners. Paul Hartley did not agree with his comments but it was plain to see at the Hamilton game that if Bain remains on his line then it is a recipe for disaster. The goalkeeper is the only person allowed to handle the ball in the box and Scott Bain should taking advantage of that at corners.