Defending at the back post

[bond19821982]

It's about time we speak about this. Not sure if this is a coaching issue or an individual problem. We seem to be letting the back post open lot of times . Not just today but we saw that in our earlier games this pre season.

Last year, we have had so many goals conceded because we let that area wide open or the full backs were way too narrow. ( AWB is the main culprit but Shaw also had moments last year ).

What do you think is the reason behind it? I haven't seen any improvements till date which basically tells it could be the instructions from coaching team to stay narrow and take chance on that ( assuming the probability to score from that angle is less ?)

 

[bond19821982]

Watched the highlights again now

Shaw came narrow for 2 crosses and the Backpost was free.

AWB had 1 occasion where he came narrow and Backlot was left open.

 

[Nick7]

It’s coaching, yeah. They’re told to do it. Regarding the AWB one he was picking up Everton’s #11. He had to choose who to leave open and he chose to mark the player that was free just outside the six yard box, really though he and Shaw should be getting more help from midfielders or our wingers. It’s impossible to mark two players which our full backs have to do at times.

 

[Foxbatt]

It’s coaching, yeah. They’re told to do it. Regarding the AWB one he was picking up Everton’s #11. He had to choose who to leave open and he chose to mark the player that was free just outside the six yard box, really though he and Shaw should be getting more help from midfielders or our wingers. It’s impossible to mark two players which our full backs have to do at times.

This is the new way of coaching. Normally a keeper has a say in how set pieces are defended. It's his decision if and where he comes out and what kind of cover he needs. That's why all the great teams defend the posts especially during the corners.
Now it looks like the coaches decide what happens.

 

[bond19821982]

I know we were down to 10 , but why was Shaw so narrow for the first goal ? Their right sided player had acres of space and time.

We have 3 defenders in the box and so why would you have a full back also so narrow ?

Struggling to understand the logic. Any opinions?

 

[bond19821982]

This is a bigger issue . How many times was our back post open and a deep cross cut right through the players ?

This is a clear coaching instruction to stay narrow.

 

[paulscholes18]

Far too narrow, Saka a few times managed to bring the ball down in the box with nobody within 10 yards of him. Hopefully Rangnick can sort this out as it's been consistent since Ole, Carrick and McKenna have been together.

 

[Hectic]

I admire your commitment to not letting this thread die. You have questions and they will be answered.

 

[Rightnr]

Didn't Fred bail out Telles today on the back post? We were completely open again.

 

[Beachryan]

Didn't Fred bail out Telles today on the back post? We were completely open again.

Not quite sure where Lindelof and Maguire went, but Telles was trying to mark Lacazette who otherwise was wide open. That left Saka - I guess Ronaldo (ha) should have been tracking him, or one of the midfielders.

I think Arsenal just had enough men forwards that they had one extra in that case.

Telles otherwise did well, wasn't like Shaw/AWB who seem to tuck in even when not marking anyone.