Keith Andrews (Head Coach) (4 Viewers)

[VitaminBee]

He needs to get out defence at corners sorted out better, the times KLP is having to mark a giant leaves him nothing to do apart from grapple with him. I know it's the modern thing for zonal defending, but surely we must realise teams have now sussed out where this weak link is at corners.

Excluding penalties, we've conceded 0 set piece goals so far this season (Liverpool the only other team still on 0), and 8 last season (only Arsenal and Brighton with less, 7 each). I think Keith knows what he's doing when it comes to defending corners.

 

[brentford born & bred]

He needs to get out defence at corners sorted out better, the times KLP is having to mark a giant leaves him nothing to do apart from grapple with him. I know it's the modern thing for zonal defending, but surely we must realise teams have now sussed out where this weak link is at corners.

Last season we are second lowest xg conceded from set pieces 7.5, and third lowest actual goals conceded 8. The season we are top of both tables of lowest goals conceded from set pieces 1.9 xg, 0 actual. Although we top both tables last and this season for penalties conceded. All figures provided by FOTMOB.
I assume KA is happy to concede the odd penalty defending set pieces in the overall context of defending set pieces, although the conceding of penalties metric in general is one we probably need to improve upon.

 

[Romt2]

Last season we are second lowest xg conceded from set pieces 7.5, and third lowest actual goals conceded 8. The season we are top of both tables of lowest goals conceded from set pieces 1.9 xg, 0 actual. Although we top both tables last and this season for penalties conceded. All figures provided by FOTMOB.
I assume KA is happy to concede the odd penalty defending set pieces in the overall context of defending set pieces, although the conceding of penalties metric in general is one we probably need to improve upon.

You could argue that by giving away a penalty from a corner (that is subsequently scored), we have conceded from that corner as we obviously did not do an effective job of defending it.

 

[mhead bee]

You could argue that by giving away a penalty from a corner (that is subsequently scored), we have conceded from that corner as we obviously did not do an effective job of defending it.

Depends how many pens were given away at corners, if it is still less than other teams totals for set pieces I think we are good to go. Also need to compare versus others teams totals for pens and goals conceded from set pieces to see if we are still ahead of the curve.

 

[badgerbee]

You could argue that by giving away a penalty from a corner (that is subsequently scored), we have conceded from that corner as we obviously did not do an effective job of defending it.

As ever, it's all here. In minute (if sometimes disputed!!) detail

Wiki Post in thread 'Goals Scored and Conceded from Set Pieces Analysis 2026/27'

Today at 12:00 PM

2026/27

Conceded From: 4 (2 PL)

Corner (Opposition): 2 (1 PL)
Brighton (A) Penalty resulting from corner
Reading (A) (CC)

Corner (Ours): 0

Goal Kick (Ours): 1 (1 PL)
Hull (A) Penalty resulting from our goal kick

Free Kick: 1
Birmingham (A) (CC)

Throw: 0

Scored From: 7 (3 PL)

Corner (Opposition): 1
Birmingham (A) (CC)

Corner: 2
Spurs (H)
Birmingham (A) (CC)
Chelsea (H)

Throw: 3
Birmingham (A) (CC) x2
Chelsea (H)

Free Kick: 0

Net: +1 (PL) +3 (All)

• badgerbee

• 

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Depends how many pens were given away at corners, if it is still less than other teams totals for set pieces I think we are good to go. Also need to compare versus others teams totals for pens and goals conceded from set pieces to see if we are still ahead of the curve.

1.

 

[brentford born & bred]

You could argue that by giving away a penalty from a corner (that is subsequently scored), we have conceded from that corner as we obviously did not do an effective job of defending it.

The current trend for defending at corners is a combination of zonal and blockers, tallest best headers of the ball are employed zonally and smaller players employed to block the movement of attacking players. The blockers are often on the edge of committing a foul depending how strictly the ref or VAR enforce the rules. Shirt pulling and wrestling occurs at all corners, committed by both defenders and attackers despite the supposed stricter enforcement this season. I would term both KLP penalties conceded this season as unlucky since exactly the same actions happen multiple times each game.

 

[badgerbee]

The current trend for defending at corners is a combination of zonal and blockers, tallest best headers of the ball are employed zonally and smaller players employed to block the movement of attacking players. The blockers are often on the edge of committing a foul depending how strictly the ref or VAR enforce the rules. Shirt pulling and wrestling occurs at all corners, committed by both defenders and attackers despite the supposed stricter enforcement this season. I would term both KLP penalties conceded this season as unlucky since exactly the same actions happen multiple times each game.

And the Sunderland one wasn't from a corner anyway.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

The current trend for defending at corners is a combination of zonal and blockers, tallest best headers of the ball are employed zonally and smaller players employed to block the movement of attacking players. The blockers are often on the edge of committing a foul depending how strictly the ref or VAR enforce the rules. Shirt pulling and wrestling occurs at all corners, committed by both defenders and attackers despite the supposed stricter enforcement this season. I would term both KLP penalties conceded this season as unlucky since exactly the same actions happen multiple times each game.

KLP (and us) have only conceded 1 penalty from a corner this season, the other KLP one was a cross from open play.

 

[badgerbee]

KLP (and us) have only conceded 1 penalty from a corner this season, the other KLP one was a cross from open play.

(1 in PL. Plus 1 in Carabao Cup v Reading)

 

[Greybeard]

Needs to tone down the "playing on the edge" stuff, which is stoking a poor disciplinary record (surely everyone knows that a combative approach is needed in the Premier League?), and get back to focusing on the pass and movement style of football that we were playing pre-season and in the early games.

I admire grit and determination and I like players that work hard. I also really like courage - the desire to get a crucial head to a ball when the boots are flying in.

But I'm not sure I know what this "living on the edge" is. The edge of what? Running around like headless chickens, flying into dangerous tackles, baiting referees? The modern game calls for tactical discipline and concentration as well as a cool head under pressure. Energy needs to be directed, unbridled and unfocused "passion" won't help.

 

[tinman]

He needs to get out defence at corners sorted out better, the times KLP is having to mark a giant leaves him nothing to do apart from grapple with him. I know it's the modern thing for zonal defending, but surely we must realise teams have now sussed out where this weak link is at corners.

Perhaps we should leave KLP on the edge of the penalty area , with Kelleher or another defender aiming a clearance at him.

 

[jlove]

Perhaps we should leave KLP on the edge of the penalty area , with Kelleher or another defender aiming a clearance at him.

It would certainly improve his chances of winning – rather than conceding – a free kick or penalty!