Liverpool FC Forum

[The Gaffer]

We keep using a zonal marking system which clearly does not work. We were second best in our box. Birmingham, man u and bolton all goals scored from crosses and set pieces. Will rafa change it or will we alwatys look dodgy in the air on defence

[A.B.]

We keep using a zonal marking system which clearly does not work. We were second best in our box. Birmingham, man u and bolton all goals scored from crosses and set pieces. Will rafa change it or will we alwatys look dodgy in the air on defence

The only thing we need to get rid of, is you from this forum.

We've kept 15 clean sheets out of 23 matches in the Premiership. We've conceded 15 goals in 23 matches, only Chelsea have conceded less than we have. And you want us to get rid of the Zonal Marking system?

Get rid of your stupidity.

[115-1073096938]

We keep using a zonal marking system which clearly does not work. We were second best in our box. Birmingham, man u and bolton all goals scored from crosses and set pieces. Will rafa change it or will we alwatys look dodgy in the air on defence

Support your local team.

You're an idiot.

[metalhead]

We keep using a zonal marking system which clearly does not work. We were second best in our box. Birmingham, man u and bolton all goals scored from crosses and set pieces. Will rafa change it or will we alwatys look dodgy in the air on defence

why? we have the 1st or 2nd best defense in the premiership this year because of zonal marking!

The defenders aren't concentrating enough!

[Effes]

With our defensive record it seems harsh to start dissecting the defnsive system.

Obviously it's working to a good degree. But you may have apoint about set pieces.
The first against Milan in the final Rafa has admitted that the second line was too deep.
Then we concede the that goal against Man U, then the first today.

I think the zonal marking is working on open play but there's no reason why we cant re-think about how we handle set pieces.

[Effes]

The defenders aren't concentrating enough!

I think if Rafa said to the players tomorrow when assessing their first goal "concentrate more" - then they would be none the wiser.
The defenders seemed to rush out to the cross almost colliding with the secoond line.
I'm not sure what Rafa'a plans are at set pieces but I'm sure that was not what he had in mind.

[Rastalovich]

I really don`t think defense is `that` much of a problem when u look at the picture of the team as a whole.

The records of the system are quoted enough above, and of course a well know cup was won on the back of it.

To take the thing to pieces over a relatively tiny amount of mis-haps, or maybe the other team doing homework, or just a single player not concentr8ing for a second, is not gonna convince me that the system is .

No system is perfect, but atleast this one has a high % of success.

[metalhead]

Our defence wasn't good today, i think our defenders were pushing up alot and that led to the 2nd goal for chelsea. The whole game Chelsea hit us at the break and used alot of counter attacks

[RUSHIE#9]

One defeat against the reigning champions even though we had the measure of them for a long period of the game; a small dip in form of our defence and before you know it all the numpties are crawling out of the wood work saying our defensive tactics are rubbish. Why don't you go back to the CBBC forum and carry on whinging that the tweenies aren't as good as what they used to be until you learn somethin about footy mate. 

[bigmick]

I think the best thing for members of the forum who don't uderstand the intricacies of zonal marking, man to man marking or a combo of the two is to simply look at the stats.
If you do you will notice that for a team in our position in the league, we don't score anywhere near enough goals. Therefore it would be reasonable to come on the forum and suggest different ways in which you think we could improve in this area.
If you check the defensive stats, you will notice that we have arguably the best defence in the league and if not, certainly the second best. You will notice that in 6 Champions league games we conceded 1 goal in total. You will also be aware that we recently set a new club record for the highest number of consecutive clean sheets. We defended a couple of corners and free-kicks in those games, just one or two. If you watch goals on Sunday you will notice that teams who employ a man-marking system occasionally concede goals aswell. If you watched the game today you will have noticed that Chelsea defend man-for-man. You will also have seen Carra miss a free-header five yards out. Just because Andy Gray can't think of anything else to say when we concede a goal from a dead-ball situation other than "It's because of zonal marking", it doesn't mean we should jump on the bandwagon.
We have a good defence and a brilliant coach, chill-out. Rafa didn't invent zonal marking, nor is football the only game in which it is employed. Once FIFA take the bull by the horns and stop defenders wrestling people to the ground in the name of "man-marking" by instructing referees to award a penalty kick, everybody will defend this way.

[115-1073096938]

I really don`t think defense is `that` much of a problem when u look at the picture of the team as a whole.

The records of the system are quoted enough above, and of course a well know cup was won on the back of it.

To take the thing to pieces over a relatively tiny amount of mis-haps, or maybe the other team doing homework, or just a single player not concentr8ing for a second, is not gonna convince me that the system is .

No system is perfect, but atleast this one has a high % of success.

Very, very well said.

[115-1073096938]

I think the best thing for members of the forum who don't uderstand the intricacies of zonal marking, man to man marking or a combo of the two is to simply look at the stats.
If you do you will notice that for a team in our position in the league, we don't score anywhere near enough goals. Therefore it would be reasonable to come on the forum and suggest different ways in which you think we could improve in this area.
If you check the defensive stats, you will notice that we have arguably the best defence in the league and if not, certainly the second best. You will notice that in 6 Champions league games we conceded 1 goal in total. You will also be aware that we recently set a new club record for the highest number of consecutive clean sheets. We defended a couple of corners and free-kicks in those games, just one or two. If you watch goals on Sunday you will notice that teams who employ a man-marking system occasionally concede goals aswell. If you watched the game today you will have noticed that Chelsea defend man-for-man. You will also have seen Carra miss a free-header five yards out. Just because Andy Gray can't think of anything else to say when we concede a goal from a dead-ball situation other than "It's because of zonal marking", it doesn't mean we should jump on the bandwagon.
We have a good defence and a brilliant coach, chill-out. Rafa didn't invent zonal marking, nor is football the only game in which it is employed. Once FIFA take the bull by the horns and stop defenders wrestling people to the ground in the name of "man-marking" by instructing referees to award a penalty kick, everybody will defend this way.

Mick surely you must know its all down to zonal marking we're rubbish at the back...

[Rastalovich]

Thing is, even way back (well not so way back), when we had an excellent defensive season or two with Hyypia & Henchoz at the back and, I guess, man-marked alot - the defense was heralded as one of the best in the league, and stats proved it so.

Still let in silly goals from time to time, but that`s just it - it`s gonna happen with any system u employ.

Things with systems is looking at how it works over a season as a whole, or how it can cost u as a whole in vital situations. Indeed 1 goal was conceded, but even so 2 were conceded through-out the 90mins and none were scored in return (3 if not for offside). So in the grand picture, u can`t say it cost the game even then.

[Gareth G]

I have to laugh at some people, the club goes on a record equalling run of consecutive clean sheet's, we conceed a few goal's and the next thing everyone is complaining about the zonal marking system. Where were you when we were keeping all those clean sheet's?

[Sabre]

We keep using a zonal marking system which clearly does not work

Yeah right.

Obiously. After a terrible streak of victories you say that because we lose against an strong team? Come on. Alonso's OG had anthing to do with Zonal marking debate? Come on.