Free kick specialists

[toptoon]

Where have they gone? Ward-Prowse doesnt do it anymore. Scobozlai perhaps the only recognised one? Trippier had his moments 2 seasons back.
I wonder if defences are more organised now or whether we just dont have players who can shoot so well from a dead ball?

[Marat18]

I think last time Kieran (or any NUFC player) scored direct free-kick it was against Man City 3-4 years ago.

I read somewhere that introducing 5 subs affected it - midfielders/wingers substituted around 60 mins mark, so their pitch time is down 50%, so are goals from free-kicks.

Another factor is tactical fouls. Attackers tend to foul much more nowadays than 10 years ago. So there are less fouls around penalty area.

As a result, may be players dont practice it as much now

[Zippity]

Love a good free kick, right in the top corner.

Ward-Prowse got away with being a very average footballer (and that's being kind) on the back of his dead ball abilities.

My favourite was Liam O'Brien over the wall.

[Jammy89]

Ryan Taylor over the wall, always lives in my memory.

[Ragatino]

Statistic and XA/XG - the percentages dictate the way set pieces are delivered these days.

Look at the Gooner's corner routines & long throws - Pulis ball has taken over due to the data driven analysis of the modern, much more boring game.

Pep's style in addition to the current obsession with percentage led football to this current boring version of itself.

The irony is, of course, is that Arsenal, the team lauded for playing football the right way under Wenger are the Avant Guarde of this anti-football style.