Are direct FKs a dying art? The Do you also miss Beckham thread.

[Pintu]

I just saw this on Twitter and thought 4 FKs after 30+ league games used to be quite normal.

Juninho averaged 6/season for Lyon... Now 4 is the best any team has managed.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

What’s the reason we have no Beckham/Mihajlovic at the top level any more? Would JWP be scoring more if he played for a stronger team, one that get many FKs, or would he be made to share them too often.

 

[shamans]

I just saw this on Twitter and thought 4 FKs after 30+ league games used to be quite normal.

Juninho averaged 6/season for Lyon... Now 4 is the best any team has managed.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

What’s the reason we have no Beckham/Mihajlovic at the top level any more? Would JWP be scoring more if he played for a stronger team, one that get many FKs, or would he be made to share them too often.

Yes for sure

 

[Spaghetti]

Have we scored any this season? I can’t remember one.

I think the draft excluder helps defend them, because the defenders know they can jump, which adds a couple of feet to the wall, which in turn makes it easier for the goalkeeper.

 

[Chief123]

I think one of the main reasons is teams don’t actually get as many free kicks in threatening positions on the edge of the box anymore.

Teams seem to be more conscious of not conceding fouls in dangerous areas. It feels rare to get any kind of free kick in shooting range nowadays. In previous years there seemed to be a lot more. I don’t know if that was because players were flying in a lot more and also the fact teams played 442 which meant they were more stretched and exposed leading to last ditch tackles. No idea if there’s any stats to quantify it but it certainly seems it’s rare to get a free kick on the edge of the box now.

If there aren’t many FKs, players aren’t going to practice them as much etc

 

[Cassidy]

I blame the knuckle ball

 

[Cassidy]

I think one of the main reasons is teams don’t actually get as many free kicks in threatening positions on the edge of the box anymore.

Teams seem to be more conscious of not conceding fouls in dangerous areas. It feels rare to get any kind of free kick in shooting range nowadays. In previous years there seemed to be a lot more. I don’t know if that was because players were flying in a lot more and also the fact teams played 442 which meant they were more stretched and exposed leading to last ditch tackles. No idea if there’s any stats to quantify it but it certainly seems it’s rare to get a free kick on the edge of the box now.

If there aren’t many FKs, players aren’t going to practice them as much etc

Good point, wonder if statistics would back this up

 

[Schmiznurf]

Beckham played in the PL for 8 years and scored 18 free kicks, that's only 2 a season on.

 

[krazyrobus]

You are comparing free kick takers to the very best in Juninho, you can't use him as a yardstick, he is the extreme of the bell curve. If 6 is the top end, 4 seems reasonable.

 

[ROFLUTION]

Reintroduce the jabulani

 

[Chief123]

I think one of the main reasons is teams don’t actually get as many free kicks in threatening positions on the edge of the box anymore.

Teams seem to be more conscious of not conceding fouls in dangerous areas. It feels rare to get any kind of free kick in shooting range nowadays. In previous years there seemed to be a lot more. I don’t know if that was because players were flying in a lot more and also the fact teams played 442 which meant they were more stretched and exposed leading to last ditch tackles. No idea if there’s any stats to quantify it but it certainly seems it’s rare to get a free kick on the edge of the box now.

If there aren’t many FKs, players aren’t going to practice them as much etc

Not quite what I mentioned but interesting reading. It seems teams are more inclined to go for indirect free kicks due to the low xG from direct free kicks.

https://theanalyst.com/eu/2023/04/free-kicks-why-are-teams-not-shooting-as-much/

So, what conclusions can we draw from this? Well, broadly speaking, great analytical advances and their increased embracing by clubs seem to have made teams more discerning with their free-kick choices. Even those sides fortunate enough to be blessed with a true dead-ball specialist may not be shooting from positions or angles which would have been prime ‘have a go’ territory 10 or so years ago. The rise in devotion to expected goals (xG) has led to overall average non-headed shot distance decreasing 3.3 metres over 15 years across the top five European leagues– and we’re seeing that phenomenon in microcosm when it comes to free kicks.

Where free kicks in the final third might once have been viewed as free hits, now teams treat them as genuine weapons with which to score – whether that be via a direct shot or creating a higher-value chance through a more intricate, ‘training ground’ move (although it should be noted that, generally speaking, the percentage of final-third free kicks which are crossed is similar now to what it was in 2008-09: around 66%). The median distance from which a final-third free kick is taken as a shot has gone down from 29.5 metres in 2008-09 to 27.6m in 2022-23, a sign that attitudes towards set-pieces are more meticulous than ever.

 

[top1whoisman]

Reintroduce the jabulani

The gk union would become an actual union.

 

[SilentWitness]

There are set piece coaches at clubs now. I think more and more clubs try to use clever tactics with indirect set pieces rather than go for a direct option as the xG for indirect is higher.

 

[Chief123]

There are set piece coaches at clubs now. I think more and more clubs try to use clever tactics with indirect set pieces rather than go for a direct option as the xG for indirect is higher.

Correct. I just posted an article above alluding to this.

 

[Cassidy]

There are set piece coaches at clubs now. I think more and more clubs try to use clever tactics with indirect set pieces rather than go for a direct option as the xG for indirect is higher.

Boooo boring coaches ha

 

[theballisround]

There are quite a few reasons:
- less fk's in dangerous areas because of better defending and more awareness of the danger
- the surge in fk routines (the ones in which teams seem to have complicated schemes prepared instead of taking the FK directly)
- less fk's because of less players who can dribble
- better stats leading to lower xg from fk

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

What’s the reason we have no Beckham/Mihajlovic at the top level any more? Would JWP be scoring more if he played for a stronger team, one that get many FKs, or would he be made to share them too often.

Similar to penalties, the ‘top’ player in the team seems to take them now for goalscoring stats, regardless if they’re that good at them or not. Years ago it felt more the best in training would take them and could be anyone in the squad, even centre backs and full backs (or keepers).

For example, I bet Ward Prowse would have to give up free kicks to Ronaldo if they were in the same team, despite all statistical analysis suggesting otherwise.

 

[RedBanker]

Remember that RM team. Beckham could hit them, Zidane,Figo,Roberto Carlos, Raul too.

 

[glasgow 21]

There are set piece coaches at clubs now. I think more and more clubs try to use clever tactics with indirect set pieces rather than go for a direct option as the xG for indirect is higher.

Do we have any at United ? as the results suggest No. Fred took a free kick a while back ,got it up and over and inches away from scoring. It was one of the best attempts seen for a while from one of our players.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Also scoring with diving headers. Haven't seen one for ages.

 

[desertegil]

I think in the vast majority of free kick situations there are other options/tactics that gives a better opportunity to score than attempting a direct shot at goal, unless you have an exceptionally skilled free kick specialist.

 

[SirReginald]

Also scoring with diving headers. Haven't seen one for ages.

There’s organisations out there trying to ban heading of the ball. It’s going to go extinct that one.

Would JWP be scoring more if he played for a stronger team, one that get many FKs, or would he be made to share them too often.

He would likely still be the go to set piece taker but I can’t see a Pep liking him do it as it will give the opposition the chance to counter if it fails. The reason someone like JWP ISNT at a good club is because teams aren’t looking for a specialist in set pieces.

 

[thegregster]

Have we scored any this season? I can’t remember one.

I think the draft excluder helps defend them, because the defenders know they can jump, which adds a couple of feet to the wall, which in turn makes it easier for the goalkeeper.

No.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/torverteilungart/wettbewerb/GB1

 

[GifLord]

It's pretty simple. We have shit free kick takers. I remember how Depay was hyped as this free kick prodigy when he scored 7 goals from direct fk for PSV in 2014-15 season. Then you took a closer look at them and most of them were goalkeeper errors.
He was absolute shit at them for us. Took him like 8-9 tries to finally bend the ball over the wall

 

[Vault Dweller]

Beckham was my favourite player so I am very sad we have not had a great FK taker for years. Last one who was any good was Mata, he scored a decent amount. I just have zero expectation when we get on these days.

 

[Red in STL]

Also scoring with diving headers. Haven't seen one for ages.
[/QUOTE!!
Well they're not gonna mess up their hair and Insta's are they!!

 

[Righteous Steps]

Beckham had more iconic free kicks but he didn’t score as often from them as your memory would like to think.

Ward Prowse is on that level currently, but he just doesn’t do it with the same flair and style Beckham did and of course doesn’t play for a bigger team, so probably gets less direct free kicks and of course the stage to score the big ones both for England and Southampton.

 

[Righteous Steps]

There’s organisations out there trying to ban heading of the ball. It’s going to go extinct that one.

He would likely still be the go to set piece taker but I can’t see a Pep liking him do it as it will give the opposition the chance to counter if it fails. The reason someone like JWP ISNT at a good club is because teams aren’t looking for a specialist in set pieces.

The free kicks aren’t the problem, I don’t think any manager Pep included would mind a player who is good at them taking them often, the problem is the other parts of his game aren’t good enough to play for a top team.

 

[That_Bloke]

I don't know why I read the thread's title as "Are free kicks a flying dart?"

 

[elisha27]

Beckham had more iconic free kicks but he didn’t score as often from them as your memory would like to think.

Ward Prowse is on that level currently, but he just doesn’t do it with the same flair and style Beckham did and of course doesn’t play for a bigger team, so probably gets less direct free kicks and of course the stage to score the big ones both for England and Southampton.

I dunno, he scored them pretty often. At his peak, from 98/99 to 02/03, he scored 23 free kicks for us. 28 if you include England during that period. He was a level above Ward-Prowse, who I think is benefitting from a rather niche comparison of career PL free kicks.

 

[Vidyoyo]

I have a sneaky suspicion that modern balls are designed to travel in straight lines rather than dip, which is what you ideally want from a freekick.

It's the same with shots as all the long goals I can remember from the past few years have been ones where the ball travels upwards into the roof of the goal.

 

[GifLord]

I have a sneaky suspicion that modern balls are designed to travel in straight lines rather than dip, which is what you ideally want from a freekick.

It's the same with shots as all the long goals I can remember from the past few years have been ones where the ball travels upwards into the roof of the goal.

If that was the case Ward Prowse wouldn't have 13 goals from free kicks since 2020-21.

Players are just shit at them these days. Instead of having specialists like we used to in the past we get a bit of everything but it's not the best of the best.
How many free kicks these days are even curlers? Everything is mostly power shots

 

[Vidyoyo]

If that was the case Ward Prowse wouldn't have 13 goals from free kicks since 2020-21.

Players are just shit at them these days. Instead of having specialists like we used to in the past we get a bit of everything but it's not the best of the best.
How many free kicks these days are even curlers? Everything is mostly power shots

This is a fair point as the ball clearly moves in a dipping motion.

Perhaps you're right that too many are power shots and not enough are looking to curl it in.

 

[Righteous Steps]

I dunno, he scored them pretty often. At his peak, from 98/99 to 02/03, he scored 23 free kicks for us. 28 if you include England during that period. He was a level above Ward-Prowse, who I think is benefitting from a rather niche comparison of career PL free kicks.

I think Ward Prowse has scored 1 less in the league than Beckham who has 18. He's played in the league a bit longer though.

 

[SirReginald]

I have a sneaky suspicion that modern balls are designed to travel in straight lines rather than dip, which is what you ideally want from a freekick.

It's the same with shots as all the long goals I can remember from the past few years have been ones where the ball travels upwards into the roof of the goal.

I don’t know the “technology” in footballs but I do know they will dip if struck with a flat foot on the hole for the pump. It’s something Ronaldo and his little team came up with and Drogba actually improved on but I’ve personally never seen anyone else use that technique, I don’t think it’s common.

 

[Plant0x84]

What’s dying is the poor feckers in Row X who keep getting the ball tested at them!

 

[Ted Lasso]

It's not just free kicks, I find that the art of cross has lost its way too although not to the same extent.

 

[Borninthe80ts]

I’m not to sure on the overall stats but it definitely feels like there’s less specialists about. It even feels like the variety has diminished. I miss screamers from players like Koeman and R Carlos and of course curlers from Beckham and Del Piero! I’m sure when I was younger also dramatic free kicks decided games more too. Who can forget the qualifier against Greece? Someone mentioned less quality crossing currently lacking and I’d throw in long range shooting too. Maybe it’s due to the way the game has evolved post 2010.

 

[SirReginald]

I’m not to sure on the overall stats but it definitely feels like there’s less specialists about. It even feels like the variety has diminished. I miss screamers from players like Koeman and R Carlos and of course curlers from Beckham and Del Piero! I’m sure when I was younger also dramatic free kicks decided games more too. Who can forget the qualifier against Greece? Someone mentioned less quality crossing currently lacking and I’d throw in long range shooting too. Maybe it’s due to the way the game has evolved post 2010.

The current belief is that long shots and to a lesser extent, crossing, give the opposition the chance to control possession and counter or change the pace of the game to suit themselves. Coaches prefer possession than to pepper the gk. Look at Potter, Chelsea regularly had 60% possession in the final third but not many shots. It can be detrimental if the possession isn’t used in the right way.

 

[DWelbz19]

xG nerds killed longshots and free kicks. Hate to see it folks

 

[ArmchairCritic]

I was thinking yesterday when was the last time we scored direct from a free kick. I think it was Ronaldo vs Norwich.