nlondonimp
Vital Champions League
re: floating crosses, you are right about knott and habergham... but you have to ask the question: would cowley allow them to persist with *floating the ball in*, if it wasn't part of his plan?Sam's crossing has been disappointing for most of the season, usually too close to the keeper to cause any problems. Billy Knott wasted every set piece through trying to float them gently on the breeze, but things have been little better since. Sam was effective last season, but he has just three assists this season and has not scored a single goal in 40 appearances. That is a poor return from a lot of set pieces, and it is time to let someone else to have a go. If you always do what you always did...
it doesn't appear to be that effective to me either... but it has occurred to me that it must be part of the method [we have been doing it for 42 games]. so - like the '16 crosses a game' rule - there may be some sports science behind it.
maybe a floated cross is less likely to be cleared far by a defender, and so stays in the danger area longer - for us to fight over the infamous 'second ball'. after all, we do play the percentages on lots of our tactics.