I was perhaps as surprised as all you guys by our transfer approach at the start of the summer. Like so many of you probably, after our first two signings, I saw a pattern emerging.
Each one of them was over six feet, though I quickly realised that this was deliberate. Daniel Farke and his recruitment team had been purposely working to address a key issue in the squad – a lack of an attacking threat from set-pieces and a deficiency from defensive set-pieces.
Though, I was also impressed at how we not only brought in tall, physical players, but also ones with quality, at the right price (or free) and with technical ability. Not by any means, an easy task.
Two quality and physically imposing centre-backs in Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw to add to Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, while even left-back Gabriel Gudmmondsson is a shade under six feet.
Then, there is the giant, Anton Stach – standing at an imposing 6,4’; his performances in the Bundesliga have shown that he can be a major asset at both ends of the pitch. Even Dominic Calvert-Lewin has a significant aerial presence.
Goals From Set-Pieces Realistic
With the squad we have now; especially considering our new signings, compared to our last season in the Premier League the year we got relegated, I don’t think we are very likely to get bullied as much.
Generally, aggressors do well from attacking set-pieces – I’m remembering Stoke City during their first season in the Premier League – the physical presence of Ricardo Fuller and Ryan Shawcross in the box, as well as Rory Delap’s long throw of course!
We have this in spades and of course, but also defensively. Throw in new goalkeeper, Lucas Perri and we have more than enough to defend set-pieces.
I’ve got to admit. I do like this tactical approach to our transfer strategy. We’ve added grit and steel to the aesthetic style we already have and I think we have a great blend.
I’d love us to bring in a brute of a centre forward…you know the type. A Didier Drogba..obviously we won’t get someone of that calibre, at least yet, but someone of that mould would be perfect.
I’m yet to be convinced that either Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be that consistently reliable presence up front yet, but you never know.
However, I do think that we can score a few from set-pieces this season. Each first team centre-back that we have on our books, are at least six feet tall, then throw in Stach, Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha and we have some imposing figures for opponents to handle.
A Useful Weapon To Take Advantage Of
Because we are now blessed with height and physical presence, I think we really should be taking advantage of this and working on set-pieces as much as we can in training sessions.
We can definitely impose our physicality on teams this season and develop somewhat of a trademark, in the way that Stoke did. It is by no means glamorous, but executed properly, it is effective.
Obviously though, as we have seen this season, we are more than capable of playing football – Stoke didn’t have the players for this at the time, though we have also shown we are great on the counter-attack.
With that in mind, I think we have an almost, perfect balance of options in terms of how we can and should play against certain clubs.
