Set Piece Delivery

[Pompey1985]

Woeful today.

Anton Walkes needs to learn to pass the ball to where a player is running... Not where he was stood.

[New Forester]

After last season’s tension. I’m beginning to feel more relaxed. I think we will have to settle for a comfortable position in the upper half of the league. As well as the crossing, our finishing isn’t sharp. Nothing seems to be clicking in the last third. I don’t see Sunderland as promotion contenders either.

What with the cricket and rugby it’s not been a good day so far.

[... and chips]

I was there and both fullbacks were woeful. Walkes, as noted giving the ball away, and Brown’s set pieces pissed off players and fans alike. Both looked flat footed and both were sloppy.

McCrorie was brighter when he came on.

Harness offered much much more than Curtis who was barely in the game.

[Selsey Bill]

I was there and both fullbacks were woeful. Walkes, as noted giving the ball away, and Brown’s set pieces pissed off players and fans alike. Both looked flat footed and both were sloppy.

McCrorie was brighter when he came on.

Harness offered much much more than Curtis who was barely in the game.

I was watching it on TV, and our back four were woeful, possibly being a bit harsh on Downing there.

[Pompey1985]

The full backs just didn't get past the wingers often enough.

[New Forester]

Our crosses either go directly out of play or are easily caught by the keeper. As compared with that wicked whipped corner by Man City which led to their disallowed goal.

[Pompey1985]

It wasn't that bad yesterday, but we didn't trouble their keeper enough, much the same as big parts of last season.

Do we have too many similar midfielders? Are we still in for Herbie Kane? Tuesday I'd like to see a couple of changes.

[Jack_Tinn]

I was there and both fullbacks were woeful. Walkes, as noted giving the ball away, and Brown’s set pieces pissed off players and fans alike. Both looked flat footed and both were sloppy.

McCrorie was brighter when he came on.

Harness offered much much more than Curtis who was barely in the game.

I was watching it on TV, and our back four were woeful, possibly being a bit harsh on Downing there.

I agree - Raggett and Bolton in for me vs Coventry on Tuesday for Burgess and Walkes. I am quite shocked at how poor Walkes passing and crossing is given that he was brought up in Spurs youth system. He is a strong and pacey right back but must have feet shaped like a tolberone!

[Pompey1985]

Walkes was the same against Brum, couldn't give it to Harness.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

Beckham became one of the best `crossers` of the ball because he practiced for hours after everyone (apart from the Nevilles & others) had gone home following training. He continued to do that for virtually all of his career, like Ronaldo and many other top footballers. Practice, practice and more practice, some of our players should take a leaf out of that book!

[Selsey Bill]

Beckham became one of the best `crossers` of the ball because he practiced for hours after everyone (apart from the Nevilles & others) had gone home following training. He continued to do that for virtually all of his career, like Ronaldo and many other top footballers. Practice, practice and more practice, some of our players should take a leaf out of that book!

Was it Gary Player who once said: "The more I practice, the luckier I get"

I often wonder what some of our players actually do in training week in, week out. I managed my youngest son's youth football team for the last three years (up until U18's) and all we had was one hour and a half training session weekly. Once we had done about 30 minutes of fitness, we used to practice free kicks and corners religiously, with the forwards taking on the defence. Well, would you believe it, we started scoring more and more goals, especially from corners, and at the same time conceding less and less. We won the league last year. We weren't the most talented footballing team, but we were the most organised!