A corner is given for the most innocent of mistakes, but the consequences for the defending team can be disastrous. At United, we have quite a few tall players and, in Vidic, one of the best headers in the game. Yet, this season we have been very poor in converting corners to goals. Out of 75 corners so far this season, we have only converted 2. One of them was an own goal! Giggs was the provider on both instances.
Nani has to take some of the blame for this situation. For all the good performances he has put in this season, Nani has been terrible with corners. His corners don't go beyond the first man defending the ball. It doesn't seem to be a tactical ploy since it is usually O'Shea who is United's first man. Hardly the player you'll want to do the intelligent flicks across the goal mouth.
This inability to put in decent corners has affected the team already this season. In the game against Bolton, we had 12 corners and didn’t manage to score one. The team sheet that day boasted Vidic, Evans, O’Shea, Fletcher, Berbatov and Rooney. Players who are more than capable of sending the ball into the back of the net provided the ball gets anywhere close to them.
| Opposition | Score | # Corners | Goals | Scorer | Assist |
| Newcastle | 3-0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Fulham | 2-2 | 6 | 1 | Hangeland (o) | Giggs |
| West Ham | 3-0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Everton | 3-3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Rangers | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Liverpool | 3-2 | 6 | 1 | Berba | Giggs |
| Scunthorpe | 2-5 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Bolton | 2-2 | 12 | 0 | ||
| Valencia | 0-1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Sunderland | 0-0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| West Brom | 2-2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Bursaspor | 1-0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Stoke | 1-2 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Wolves | 3-2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 75 | 2 | |||
Even in past seasons, Nani’s corners were generally below par. It used to bewilder me how this could go unnoticed with Fergie. But in the Stoke game, we finally saw a change in approach. 5 out of 6 corners were taken short. And one of them led to a goal. Nani exchanged passes with Evra and his left foot cross was met by Vidic, and Chicharito knocked it in with a reverse header. The actual problem hasn’t been addressed, but at least the problem has been acknowledged.
When Valencia is back, he’ll be doing the corner duties. Gibson, in the game against Wolves, delivered a few fine crosses from the corner spot. But Nani having clearly been earmarked for taking corners in the absence of Giggs, should be working harder in the training ground. Mastering the art of corners is crucial to any attacking player and Nani will be a better winger if he can add this to his repertoire.
Do you think we should try other players or should we persist with Nani since he has a guaranteed spot in the starting 11?
The importance of corners cannot be emphasized enough. After all, the most important goal in United’s history was scored off a corner!
Excellent analysis!Looking forward to many more!! If you remember that goal was one of the many factors that made us a fan of this great club!!
ReplyDeleteDid not notice the corner count today. But can't complain about the freekick :). Secondly, I don't know why Paul Masefield and Chebby Singh went on and on about the refereeing decision. It was a mistake by the goalkeeper that deserved what it got. The referee did not blow and the ball was in play.
ReplyDeleteDa, I guess more than corners you should see dead balls... Owen and Vidic goal will come in..
ReplyDelete@Ram: Thanks :) THAT goal still gives goosebumps.
ReplyDelete@Ritsss: One corner. Was taken short :)
the refs didn't make it clear enough that they were playing advantage. the goalkeeper made a mistake, but you'll have to sympathize with him.
@jusrooit: if you get the crosses into the box, we have players good enough to knock it in. 2 goals from 75 corners is a poor return. 0 from Nani's 50-odd (guessing) is poorer.
Vidic and Owen scored off free kicks from similar and relatively easier angles for Nani to cross.
ReplyDeleteHe is struggling to clear the first man while crossing from the corner spot. He should work on it.