West Ham's Set-Piece Struggles: An Analysis
West Ham United is facing significant challenges in the Premier League, currently sitting in 19th place as head coach Graham Potter endures increasing criticism and scrutiny from within the club.
One of the most alarming aspects of their performance has been their defensive struggles during corner kicks, having conceded seven goals from set pieces in just five matches.
With the growing importance of set-pieces in modern football, clubs are employing specialized coaches to analyze and exploit the weaknesses of their opponents.
BBC Sport has conducted an analysis of West Ham's difficulties defending corners and the tactics that other teams have successfully implemented against them this season.
The Use of 'Blockers' on the Goalkeeper
West Ham's 5-1 defeat to Chelsea in August highlighted their vulnerabilities, as Chelsea scored three goals from corner situations. A notable tactic employed by Chelsea was the use of Liam Delap, who closely marked West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen to restrict his movement without committing a foul.
This strategy is not new; it mirrors the 'screening' technique often seen in basketball, where a player stands still to obstruct a defender, creating space for teammates.
Last season, defending teams sought to counteract this by placing an extra defender next to their goalkeeper to absorb the contact from the 'blocker.' However, this approach often backfired, as the 'blocker' could push the defender into the goalkeeper, further complicating the situation.
Additionally, referees appear to be less stringent about contact with goalkeepers this season, making the tactic more effective for attacking teams.
For Chelsea's first goal against West Ham, Delap's positioning hindered Hermansen's ability to claim the ball. With 11 players crowded in the six-yard box, the space for the goalkeeper was severely limited.
Marc Cucurella made a run to the near post, effectively blocking his marker and allowing other Chelsea attackers to push deeper, which created space for Joao Pedro to score against West Ham's deep defense.
West Ham Exposed at the Back Post
In recent seasons, attacking teams have favored crosses to the near post, a strategy Chelsea utilized against West Ham. Teams often commit extra players to the near post to prevent dangerous flick-ons, resulting in fewer players at the far post.
Against Tottenham on September 13, West Ham appeared to concentrate more players at the near post, likely due to Chelsea's prior success in that area. However, Tottenham targeted the far post where West Ham had fewer defenders, allowing Pape Matar Sarr to score unmarked.
While Spurs did not employ a 'blocker' like Delap did for Chelsea, they effectively used a similar strategy. As West Ham defenders moved towards the ball, Spurs' attackers held their ground, blocking their path and preventing them from closing in on Sarr.
Once again, Hermansen was unable to leave his line due to the congestion in the six-yard box, allowing Sarr to head the ball into the net.
Palace's Perfect Corner Routine
In West Ham's recent loss to Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner's side executed a corner routine that incorporated all the tactics discussed. Jean-Philippe Mateta took on the role of a 'blocker,' preventing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from leaving his line.
At the far post, Palace utilized blockers in a manner reminiscent of basketball screening. Adam Wharton positioned himself between Marc Guehi and his marker, allowing Guehi to break free unmarked.
Daichi Kamada delivered a looping cross aimed at the far post, where Palace's Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix effectively blocked West Ham defenders, similar to Spurs' earlier goal.
Guehi's header hit the crossbar, but Mateta was perfectly positioned to nod in the rebound without a defender in close proximity.
Set-piece routines are becoming increasingly intricate. Tactics such as marking the goalkeeper, crowding the six-yard box, overloading the far post, employing looping crosses, blocking defenders' paths, and using screening maneuvers have all been effectively utilized by top teams against West Ham.
If West Ham hopes to improve their fortunes under Potter or any future leadership, it is crucial for them to transform their set-piece vulnerabilities into strengths, a hallmark of their past successes.