by Vision »
17 Dec 2012 13:07
Snowball Played one game less we have had 70 free kicks (13th position) compared with Man Utd's 75 (they are 7th)
QPR are on an amazing 105
Newcastle, Everton, Wigan are on 90 each, Chelsea 86, Swansea 82
So getting free kick's doesn't seem to correlate with much
Thats only relevant if it's free kicks in attacking areas. I'd say we're pretty high up on % of goals scored from set plays this season. We've had less possession that nearly every side this season yet up until a couple weeks ago only Man Utd had put more crosses into the box. It's our main source of threat hence why Shorey and Macanuff figure quite highly on the assists chart.
With reference to Roberts specifically it would be interesting to see how many free kicks he's actually won himself. Added to that of course is that as our main tactic is hit the channel and pressure the defenders, I'd say he's responsible for forcing a lot of corners too.
Certainly far more relevant than just producing a total figure which could include dozens of fouls on the keeper for all we know and which bear no relavence to the discussion.
Personally I'd drop him and at least try to play some more football to feet but that doesn't mean I think he's more concerned about what goes on off the field than on it or that he hasn't given his best under pretty difficult circumstances for a forward.