Nottingham Forest’s solution to their set-piece vulnerability is to try to cut down on the number they give away.
The Reds have shipped 16 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League so far this season. Only Bournemouth, with 21, have conceded more.
It has proved costly as Steve Cooper’s side battle to stay in the Premier League and has particularly come to the fore in recent weeks. Liverpool were able to exploit that frailty at Anfield, with Forest leaving empty-handed despite their performance meriting a result. Meanwhile, Cheikhou Kouyate parting from the wall led to Ivan Toney sparking Brentford’s comeback a fortnight ago.
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With three games left to try to preserve their top-flight status, the Reds know such issues could be decisive. And this is an Achilles’ heel the head coach remains determined to tackle head on.
“Our biggest problem with set-pieces is that we’ve given too many away,” Cooper said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. “The probables of conceding from them are higher because we have had to defend more than most teams.
“And because of that, you give yourselves more chance of conceding. If you’re defending them more, there’s more chance of conceding from them.
“So that’s been the first thing that hasn’t gone our way or we should do better at. And then it’s about, like everything else, having a plan but realising you have got to tweak it and work with players.
“What hasn’t helped at times is we have had to change the team so much, with injuries and people having to do different things. Like playing, you want players to get into a rhythm of doing a job, and some people have had to do different roles.
“We’re fully aware of it and it’s something we are addressing very closely, and then hoping that we can deliver on a match day. We don’t do blame, that’s something we nipped in the bud very quickly.
“But at times you can have the best plans and strategies in place, but sometimes set-pieces are just down to individuals being really determined to do their job well and then beside that - because of how chaotic set-pieces can be - doing whatever it takes to keep the ball out of the net, or if you’re attacking, put it in the net. Sometimes that’s what it comes down to.
“We’re fully aware of it. It’s something we know is and can be important in games.
“It’s something we don’t take lightly. The first thing we need to improve on is not giving ourselves as many to defend, because the probables are much higher.”
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