Cochrane's set pieces

[OTT]

Anyone else getting a bit frustrated watching Alex Cochranes set pieces ? Its like none of them ever come off. The amount of times a free kick gets floated in and comfortably defended for example is really poor. Likewise, I don't think our corners carry any real threat despite Kent and Halkett both being very strong in the air. Contrasted with say, Dundee who do really well attacking corners/ freekicks.

 

I'd quite like to see Cochrane off set pieces and let Kingsley deal with any free kicks, and maybe Fraser, Vargas, Grant, Oda, Forrest or even Dexter deal with any corners . 

 

I really like Cochrane as a player, I think he's linking brilliantly with Forrest. I just can't get away from the feeling that our set pieces just aren't good enough and his delivery really hasn't been great and that they should carry more of a threat. It seems maddness to continue on with pretty mediocre corners and free kicks from him. I think we've seen enough to say they aren't likely to get better.. 

[Armageddon]

Nah. We’ve actually been scoring from corners this season, I would not change one thing.

[Fxxx the SPFL]

I think it’s up to us to attack the ball better for me Grant is best at corner’s he keeps them reasonably low just needs someone to get a nick on it.

[TheBigO]

2 minutes ago, OTT said:

Anyone else getting a bit frustrated watching Alex Cochranes set pieces ? Its like none of them ever come off. The amount of times a free kick gets floated in and comfortably defended for example is really poor. Likewise, I don't think our corners carry any real threat despite Kent and Halkett both being very strong in the air. Contrasted with say, Dundee who do really well attacking corners/ freekicks.

 

I'd quite like to see Cochrane off set pieces and let Kingsley deal with any free kicks, and maybe Fraser, Vargas, Grant, Oda, Forrest or even Dexter deal with any corners . 

 

I really like Cochrane as a player, I think he's linking brilliantly with Forrest. I just can't get away from the feeling that our set pieces just aren't good enough and his delivery really hasn't been great and that they should carry more of a threat. It seems maddness to continue on with pretty mediocre corners and free kicks from him. I think we've seen enough to say they aren't likely to get better.. 

I think his corners are fine, I think we could attack the ball better at times, or need to connect with the headers better.   Not sure if the stats exist or back me up but I feel we make first contact on corners more than we used to.

 

His freekicks tend to be poop though, I agree with that!

 

Set pieces do drive me a bit mental - including direct freekicks (this isn't a Cochrane thing).  I don't know how pro footballers aren't better and more consistent with them.  It's an argument I've chucked out a lot on other aspects of play, but corners, freekicks, direct freekicks, I kind of expect a level of accuracy from anyone above amateur football.  Maybe its cos its the only thing I was halfway decent at!

[OTT]

26 minutes ago, TheBigO said:

I think his corners are fine, I think we could attack the ball better at times, or need to connect with the headers better.   Not sure if the stats exist or back me up but I feel we make first contact on corners more than we used to.

 

His freekicks tend to be poop though, I agree with that!

 

Set pieces do drive me a bit mental - including direct freekicks (this isn't a Cochrane thing).  I don't know how pro footballers aren't better and more consistent with them.  It's an argument I've chucked out a lot on other aspects of play, but corners, freekicks, direct freekicks, I kind of expect a level of accuracy from anyone above amateur football.  Maybe its cos its the only thing I was halfway decent at!

 

I'd be interested in the stats TBF - gut feeling just from what we've seen this season is that they'll be just below average - IIRC not a huge volume of corners actually lead to goals, but regardless, when teams like Dundee are able to put together more convincing set piece routines, it does kind of suggest something needs to change. Whether that is the actual taker or how we're setting up for them, I don't know. I would expect a winger to be able to take a better corner, and would be keen to see Forrest, Oda or Dexter stepping up to take them (I know Dexter is a wingback, but his crossing has looked very solid). 

 

On free kicks, yeah. Almost always the wrong option. Think we have more convincing takers elsewhere in the team. Not sure why he's on these.

 

I was hoping between Shanks, Halks & Kent we would have a huge threat at corners/set pieces, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Ball never seems to come in well enough but also don't really look great at what we're doing there either. Maybe work to do at both ends. 

[TheBigO]

1 minute ago, OTT said:

 

I'd be interested in the stats TBF - gut feeling just from what we've seen this season is that they'll be just below average - IIRC not a huge volume of corners actually lead to goals, but regardless, when teams like Dundee are able to put together more convincing set piece routines, it does kind of suggest something needs to change. Whether that is the actual taker or how we're setting up for them, I don't know. I would expect a winger to be able to take a better corner, and would be keen to see Forrest, Oda or Dexter stepping up to take them (I know Dexter is a wingback, but his crossing has looked very solid). 

 

On free kicks, yeah. Almost always the wrong option. Think we have more convincing takers elsewhere in the team. Not sure why he's on these.

 

I was hoping between Shanks, Halks & Kent we would have a huge threat at corners/set pieces, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Ball never seems to come in well enough but also don't really look great at what we're doing there either. Maybe work to do at both ends. 

Wonder how many goals we've scored direct from corners?  I remember one from Shanks which was his wee flick from Kent header and there was Kent's header in the cup.  Any more?

 

You do get the occasional guy who is exceptional at taking corners.  Charlie Adam, John McGinn.  The lad Beck at Dundee's corners are outstanding.

 

Here's a thing though.... we remain the only team in the league not to LOSE a goal from a corner.  I think all the others are in multiple losses.  Jinx-tastic this post of course, but the point for me isnt so much that raw stat, but the contrast to last season where every time we faced a set piece, you were sure we'd lose a goal.  And this now includes games against Dundee who excell at set pieces, and with Toby at CH.  And also the fact we play 4 at back so less CHs on the park or whatever.  It's good coaching.

[Juho_Makela_Goal_Machine]

Cochrane's delivery is mince but I appreciate that Naisy has inswingers on either side. Kinglsey is really important in the box in terms of setting up routines, blocking etc. and also is really good in the air. But aye, Cochrane's delivery is mince.

[Pans Jambo]

Corner kicks boil ma piss!

 

What's with this 'whip it in at 200mph' thing that seems to continually happen these days?

 

If its not that, its 4 feet high and doesn't beat their first defender.

 

What happened to measured power and accuracy? Stick it on someone's head at the back door?

 

Its not just Hearts either. They all do it!

 

I remember big Dave MacPherson was the target at the near post and he would flick it back for one of his team mates to attack it. Was a brilliant tactic.

 

Anyway, I'm not being too critical of our corners as we have been reasonable this season but yes, Cochrane needs changed to someone with a better conversion rate of crossing the ball into an attacking area in the box more accurately.

 

Nothing wrong with wanting more improvements and more goals.

 

Small step improvements are what makes a good team a great team. 

Edited February 8 by Pans Jambo

[GarryJ-o-s]

30 minutes ago, TheBigO said:

Wonder how many goals we've scored direct from corners?  I remember one from Shanks which was his wee flick from Kent header and there was Kent's header in the cup.  Any more?

 

You do get the occasional guy who is exceptional at taking corners.  Charlie Adam, John McGinn.  The lad Beck at Dundee's corners are outstanding.

 

Here's a thing though.... we remain the only team in the league not to LOSE a goal from a corner.  I think all the others are in multiple losses.  Jinx-tastic this post of course, but the point for me isnt so much that raw stat, but the contrast to last season where every time we faced a set piece, you were sure we'd lose a goal.  And this now includes games against Dundee who excell at set pieces, and with Toby at CH.  And also the fact we play 4 at back so less CHs on the park or whatever.  It's good coaching.

I thought we scored in three consecutive games:

Shankland at Celtic Park

Shankland at Pittodrie

Shankland vs St Mirren - But this one, although also Cochrane to Shankland, was from a broken down corner.

 

Kent in the cup.

 

Thats all I can remember

 

 

 

[Mikey1874]

Just now, GarryJ-o-s said:

I thought we scored in three consecutive games:

Shankland at Celtic Park

Shankland at Pittodrie

Shankland vs St Mirren - But this one, although also Cochrane to Shankland, was from a broken down corner.

 

Kent in the cup.

 

Thats all I can remember

 

 

 

 

Another goal from Cochrane cross was Shankland at Ibrox.

 

Average conversion rate from corner is 1 in 20.

[Corstorphine Jambo]

While agreeing the free kicks need some work, I thought Kent should have done better with the one in the second half last night. Needed some aggression in the header.

[RustyRightPeg]

We've scored more goals this season than I remember...all from Cochrane's corners 😂

 

And on top of scoring, I can't remember us winning as many first balls as we have from corners for years. Kent in particular should have 4 or 5 goals.

Edited February 8 by RustyRightPeg

[Jambof3tornado]

3 hours ago, Armageddon said:

Nah. We’ve actually been scoring from corners this season, I would not change one thing.

We're still very wasteful from corners and our movement at throw ins always annoys me. We could and should do so much better.

[Ex member of the SaS]

If Kingsley can out the ball in the top corner with accuracy then why is he not taking the kicks? Chipping the ball from the corner so it comes down around the penalty spot is what is required. High enough to get past the front post but not too hard it goes out for throw in.

[Ex member of the SaS]

34 minutes ago, Jambof3tornado said:

We're still very wasteful from corners and our movement at throw ins always annoys me. We could and should do so much better.

It's the slow throw in's that get me annoyed. We seem to take longer than any other team in the league.

[Bazzas right boot]

1 hour ago, RustyRightPeg said:

We've scored more goals this season than I remember...all from Cochrane's corners 😂

 

And on top of scoring, I can't remember us winning as many first balls as we have from corners for years. Kent in particular should have 4 or 5 goals.

 

Yip, Kent at both ends has been huge.

 

Worse case for us is that Shankland and Kent have a golf carting accident!

[CostaJambo]

24 minutes ago, Ex member of the SaS said:

If Kingsley can out the ball in the top corner with accuracy then why is he not taking the kicks? Chipping the ball from the corner so it comes down around the penalty spot is what is required. High enough to get past the front post but not too hard it goes out for throw in.

I much prefer this type of corner too, but I read about a year ago that the dreaded statistics show that the type you are most likely to score from is the one that is fizzed in just above the first man's head. I think that is why we have so many that fail to beat the first man, i.e. the taker is just trying to get it above him and no more. 

[Wee Mikey]

Our corners are total Jekyll & Hyde.

 

Not getting past the 1st defender, or the near post for that matter is, sadly, typical.

 

As per throw-ins, it's something needing worked on.

 

Having said that, Naisy has had a plethora of arguably more important things to get to grips with (and has done so) and I'm sure these types of things are on his radar.

[Rods]

Me

 

He should be taken off them 

[waterboy11]

5 hours ago, Armageddon said:

Nah. We’ve actually been scoring from corners this season, I would not change one thing.

How many of the corners we've scored from did Cochrane take? 

[OTT]

44 minutes ago, Wee Mikey said:

Our corners are total Jekyll & Hyde.

 

Not getting past the 1st defender, or the near post for that matter is, sadly, typical.

 

As per throw-ins, it's something needing worked on.

 

Having said that, Naisy has had a plethora of arguably more important things to get to grips with (and has done so) and I'm sure these types of things are on his radar.

 

Yeah, its not that every corner is dugmeat, just that so many of them seem to be poor/ not leading to anything. 

 

I get that Cochrane can only put the ball in, but its absolutely an area we could work on. Defending them, we're incredible at, but actually attacking them doesn't seem to be something we're too successful at. 

 

I quite like the shout for Kingsley to take them. He's something of a deadball specialist, so would make sense. 

[gorgierulesapply88]

6 hours ago, Armageddon said:

Nah. We’ve actually been scoring from corners this season, I would not change one thing.

Statistically, short corners bring more success than those put directly into the box outswinging and in-swinging..

[a11ank]

Don't cout the corners as they are a lottey for every team. 

 

Our set plays and free kicks though are horrendous! 

 

I wonder what we practice all week long, that come match days it all looks very amatuerish!😍

[innerjambo]

Our corner taking is terrible. Hence we rarely score from one.

[Agentjambo]

He won’t be on set pieces next season.

[Batistuta87]

This is obviously a right-footer, but his left-footed in-swingers quite consistently land in that wee area that keepers hate, between their back post and the 6yd line (circled below). Frankie Kent should be starting around the X at every single corner, and aggressively charging into that area as the ball comes in. 

 

Obviously he'll get marked etc but he's giving himself a much better chance of getting on the end of a corner or of being fouled on his way there.

 

 

 

Edited February 8 by Batistuta87

[Cruyff]

I didn't think they were terrible. He put in a couple of good balls. 

 

Regardless, no I wouldn't change it. Cochrane is developing that part of his game and he needs opportunities to take them. Just needs to keep practicing. 

[Ex member of the SaS]

3 hours ago, CostaJambo said:

I much prefer this type of corner too, but I read about a year ago that the dreaded statistics show that the type you are most likely to score from is the one that is fizzed in just above the first man's head. I think that is why we have so many that fail to beat the first man, i.e. the taker is just trying to get it above him and no more. 

Can't see how that would works, just above the first players head ( after he jumps) , then get it down enough for someone to jump high enough to get contact downwards in to goal seems rather difficult. The old up and under seems to be the best.

[Jambof3tornado]

4 hours ago, Ex member of the SaS said:

It's the slow throw in's that get me annoyed. We seem to take longer than any other team in the league.

I just think other teams make more effort to retain the ball at throw ins, we often get turned over.

[Ex member of the SaS]

Another thing I can't get my head around, We get a foul mid field and no one goes into the empty space down the wing and the ball gets flung into the back post where everyone is lined up. The space down the wing and a shorter pass before a cross seems a better option.

[RustyRightPeg]

3 minutes ago, Ex member of the SaS said:

Can't see how that would works, just above the first players head ( after he jumps) , then get it down enough for someone to jump high enough to get contact downwards in to goal seems rather difficult. The old up and under seems to be the best.

 

We aren't the only team in world football that do it. It's a common tactic and a lot of teams use it. Loopy corners don't work anymore as keepers just come to get them, and with all the protection they get they will get a foul 90% of the time.

[Ex member of the SaS]

Just now, RustyRightPeg said:

 

We aren't the only team in world football that do it. It's a common tactic and a lot of teams use it. Loopy corners don't work anymore as keepers just come to get them, and with all the protection they get they will get a foul 90% of the time.

That's the point of keeping it out by the penalty spot, too far for the keeper but not too far for a strong header/shot. Just because others do something doesn't make it right, Ask 10,000 lemmings 🤣

[GinRummy]

If Frankie Kent was a bit better at directing attacking headers we’d have scored from a lot more corners. 

Edited February 8 by GinRummy

[Dayman]

I've not got a lot of time to dive into the stats, but here's a wee bit of info.

 

Shots per corner as of 8th Feb 22/23 season: 0.39 (League average 0.4)

Shots per indirect free kick as of 8th Feb 22/23 season:  0.3 (League average 0.6)

 

Shots per corner 23/24: 0.37 (League average 0.42)

Shots per indirect free kick 23/24: 0.07 League average (0.7)

 

And a visual representation of our corners.

[Dayman]

16 minutes ago, Dayman said:

I've not got a lot of time to dive into the stats, but here's a wee bit of info.

 

Shots per corner as of 8th Feb 22/23 season: 0.39 (League average 0.4)

Shots per indirect free kick as of 8th Feb 22/23 season:  0.3 (League average 0.6)

 

Shots per corner 23/24: 0.37 (League average 0.42)

Shots per indirect free kick 23/24: 0.07 League average (0.7)

 

And a visual representation of our corners.

Forgot to put direct free kicks, but it’s hard to distinguish how many were direct shots and how many were crosses that resulted in shots.