Some comments about Giggs' goal Vs Lille got me thinking about an old rant of mine... Whatever happened to set-piece routines? By which I mean routines designed score by fooling the opposition. Two great examples: Sheff Wed Vs. Arsenal in League Cup final (early 90's I think), where ball was passed to the left of the wall to a full-back, who crossed in for an easy tap in. David Platt goal Vs Belgium in 1990 WC quarter-final...Needs no description, a legendary goal... These days it seems like its more a contest to see who can score from furthest out, rather than who can devise the most cunning free-kick. I especially feel that the likes of Beckham would have been far more effective if 1 out of 4/5 kicks, he DIDN'T go for the top corner. He always just shoots, and still scores a lot, but since no one expects him to pass on a shooting opportunity he could cause mayhem if he ever did. Discuss...
Just occured to me that Crouch wuold be ideal for the Tony Adams style near post flick on from corners and crossed free-kicks too...
I think the set-piece routine would be especially effective at Chelsea, I mean who on the face of god's green would ever expect Frank Lampard not to shoot???
Even if the keeper is expecting a shot from Becks, they still never get near it. He was/is that good. And the Platt goal was the 2nd round. The QF was 3-2 with Cameroon. But the Platt goal wasn't really a crafted free-kick - just lobbed into the box really.
Healy scored on a nice set piece against Spain from a corner. He ran to the edge of the box unmarked and was able to smash home the ball passed from the corner. Simple but effective
Nakamura is the king of Freekicks and they wont die as long as he is around Beckham cant even stand over the ball with Nakamura he's that shit at freekicks
I was about to complain saying it shouldn't count but then i remembered Henry's goal against chelsea 2-3 seasons ago
