Our crossing

[Abseits]

I presume there are opta stats out there but I'm going to rely on old-fashioned methods....

My gut tells me we must've put 50+ crosses into box during our last 3 games. It feels like 90% were met and cleared by a defender. The 10% we got a head or foot to, buggerall arose from it.

Is this a normal (non)conversion rate?? I'd say NO - its a pathetic return.

So what's going on.... are these crosses a bit duff? Hit and hope wafts into "the mixer". Are our players taking up poor positions (I say players rather than forwards cos a lot of the balls into the box are set piece freekicks, corners or throw-ins that the so-called big men are up for).

I genuinely am flummoxed by it. I'd be seriously inclined to just give up bombing balls into the box and try working the ball goalwards instead. I hate saying that cos trying to "walk the ball" into the net does my head in. BUT... we seem too fixated on balls into the box at the monent and maybe need to mix it up a bit?

[SheepRanger]

It's not that long ago that wingers were deemed old fashioned. And it's for the reasons you mentioned...high crosses very rarely lead to goals.

I think Chelsea were critised a few years back for going through the middle only.

Wingers are good to stretch defenses, but putting high crosses into the box these days are a waste of time. Wingers should limit their play to low crosses or passing, cut backs and shooting.

[Sleeping Giants]

I presume there are opta stats out there but I'm going to rely on old-fashioned methods....

My gut tells me we must've put 50+ crosses into box during our last 3 games. It feels like 90% were met and cleared by a defender. The 10% we got a head or foot to, buggerall arose from it.

Is this a normal (non)conversion rate?? I'd say NO - its a pathetic return.

So what's going on.... are these crosses a bit duff? Hit and hope wafts into "the mixer". Are our players taking up poor positions (I say players rather than forwards cos a lot of the balls into the box are set piece freekicks, corners or throw-ins that the so-called big men are up for).

I genuinely am flummoxed by it. I'd be seriously inclined to just give up bombing balls into the box and try working the ball goalwards instead. I hate saying that cos trying to "walk the ball" into the net does my head in. BUT... we seem too fixated on balls into the box at the monent and maybe need to mix it up a bit?

I'm pretty sure the commentator during the Saints match said we put in over 30 crosses in that match alone.

[DJ Hooper W12]

I presume there are opta stats out there but I'm going to rely on old-fashioned methods....

My gut tells me we must've put 50+ crosses into box during our last 3 games. It feels like 90% were met and cleared by a defender. The 10% we got a head or foot to, buggerall arose from it.

Is this a normal (non)conversion rate?? I'd say NO - its a pathetic return.

So what's going on.... are these crosses a bit duff? Hit and hope wafts into "the mixer". Are our players taking up poor positions (I say players rather than forwards cos a lot of the balls into the box are set piece freekicks, corners or throw-ins that the so-called big men are up for).

I genuinely am flummoxed by it. I'd be seriously inclined to just give up bombing balls into the box and try working the ball goalwards instead. I hate saying that cos trying to "walk the ball" into the net does my head in. BUT... we seem too fixated on balls into the box at the monent and maybe need to mix it up a bit?

A good point and l think you highlighted the problem in the first part of your post. Crosses seem to work for a lot of other teams and l think it’s a core part of the game. That’s if you know how to execute them of course

[cross it Dave]

It is purely a lack of skill from those involved.

[shaggy24]

I’ve put in a couple of match threads our crossing isn’t poor don’t think it helps having a centre back at rb and a cm at lb

we’ve needed proper full backs for far too long which would help

From open play only goal I can think of scored from a header was smyth v Bristol city?

[Isleworth116]

1. We need earlier crosses. Players take extra touches giving time for defenders to prepare.

2. Get closer to byline, edge of box. Much easier to miss first defender.

Less quantity, more quality.

[M1971]

Maybe play a left footed player on rhe left wing and a right footer on the other.they play them in the other sides which tends to be crosses floated in and headed out again.I thought the whole idea of a winger(in the old days)was get to their bye line then cross it meaning it’s found away from their goalie and creating a bit of havoc.All this ######## playing in the other side.

[Acton Stations]

Also helps to have a consistent regular first team striker to aim for in the first place.

[72bus]

It's a bit of both , under and over hit crosses , lack of concentration and timing by our forwards.
What I don't get is they have all week to practice this at the training ground ...Mix it up a bit against Southampton we lost every header bar the field flick .