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[west stand oap]

The puzzling thing is why Hondermarck, who was shorter than the striker, was marking him in the first place and not a central defender. I could see that he was the player suppose to be jumping with the striker but there were better options available.

[Carton Lid]

The puzzling thing is why Hondermarck, who was shorter than the striker, was marking him in the first place and not a central defender. I could see that he was the player suppose to be jumping with the striker but there were better options available.

Do we have anyone at the club who you could call "commanding" in the air, certainly none of the forwards ever look like they can head the ball at all.

[Tabasco Kid]

Do we have anyone at the club who you could call "commanding" in the air, certainly none of the forwards ever look like they can head the ball at all.

Have we scored from a corner this season? I cant be @rsed to check.

[Shoemender]

Have we scored from a corner this season? I cant be @rsed to check.

Pretty sure we haven't. We scored hardly any last season either.

[west stand oap]

Did we score from a corner against Orient when Sam raced away up field to score, I can’t recall us scoring from 1 of our own and Monthe’s header may be the only 1 from a free kick.

[Tabasco Kid]

Looks like were missing "loadsamoney" Horsfalls contribution towards goal scoring.

[MCHammer]

Watching Money Night Football on Sky a few weeks ago and they had the Brentford manager on talking about how Brentford survive in the Prem against bigger/better sides.

He identified set pieces as a key differential maker and the goals they provided have probably keep them in the league. 

I'm massively suprised Brady hasn't identified this or if he has hasn't done it very well.  Lower budget teams have to find areas in which they can compete with the extra quality in a higher division.  Small margins and all that.  Feels like we've tried to go and match up with league one sides which for the most part have better players and deeper pockets.

[DrillingCobbler]

Watching Money Night Football on Sky a few weeks ago and they had the Brentford manager on talking about how Brentford survive in the Prem against bigger/better sides.

He identified set pieces as a key differential maker and the goals they provided have probably keep them in the league. 

I'm massively suprised Brady hasn't identified this or if he has hasn't done it very well.  Lower budget teams have to find areas in which they can compete with the extra quality in a higher division.  Small margins and all that.  Feels like we've tried to go and match up with league one sides which for the most part have better players and deeper pockets.

This made me chuckle. About 4 or 5 years ago (when they were in the championship) I was watching a game of theres on sky and the commentator mentioned that they had a 'Director of set pieces'. I recall laughing at the time along with a mate, we were saying what a jobsworth job. Not because set pieces are not important I hasten to add, but because someone specific was in charge of them and presumably very well paid. Brentford clearly knew what they were doing!

[guest3649]

The Cobblers had some spectacular set pieces in the Wilder/Knill years

[Shoemender]

The Cobblers had some spectacular set pieces in the Wilder/Knill years

They're nearly all spectacularly unspectacular these days.

[the grumpy old man]

Do we have anyone at the club who you could call "commanding" in the air, certainly none of the forwards ever look like they can head the ball at all.

You are right with the forwards, they are all hopeless in the air and the midfielders are no better. I guess Guthrie would be our best header of the ball but he can't be everywhere.

I must admit, many moons ago when I was playing football my head would never go anywhere near the ball, I hated heading. Luckily for me I used to play on the wing as I was fast, the problem was no one told me I had to take the ball with me !!!

[Melbourne Cobbler]

I’m wondering if heading will become illegal and the equivalent to a handball at some point. Medical evidence seems to dictate it may go in that direction one day. I wonder how much the game would change if it does, unrecognisable probably.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I’m wondering if heading will become illegal and the equivalent to a handball at some point. Medical evidence seems to dictate it may go in that direction one day. I wonder how much the game would change if it does, unrecognisable probably.

Simpson thinks it's illegal already.

[Tabasco Kid]

Simpson thinks it's illegal already.

So did Daniel Powell. Mind you, he wasnt much good at anything else either.

[TPFKA Marvo]

I’m wondering if heading will become illegal and the equivalent to a handball at some point. Medical evidence seems to dictate it may go in that direction one day. I wonder how much the game would change if it does, unrecognisable probably.

This reminds me about a story from when I was at school. If I've told it before, apologies.

We had a new student arrive from I believe one of the African countries, though I guess it could have been the West Indies. His name was Cecil Clue and he couldn't speak a word of English so was put in the remedial class. When it came to PE and we played football, he didn't understand it at all, got confused, kept picking up the ball. Anyway it didn't take long for him to get the hang of it, he was athletic, quite quick and had a good shot on him. Then came Easter, football stopped and instead we played Hockey. We had a teacher, Bulldog Collins they called him, he had obviously played a bit of hockey previously. His favourite trick was to lift the ball off the ground, sending it flying through the air. I think you were supposed to stop it with your hand and let it drop to the floor. Anyway one day Collins did this, sending the ball hurtling across the area. Cecil did no more than head the ball into the net. We all waited for him to collapse on the floor but he didn't, just ran around, arms aloft screaming Goooooaaaaaalllllll!!! He'd learnt a few words by then. I still don't know to this day whether it was technically a goal or not but I've never forgotten the incident.

[Melbourne Cobbler]

This reminds me about a story from when I was at school. If I've told it before, apologies.

We had a new student arrive from I believe one of the African countries, though I guess it could have been the West Indies. His name was Cecil Clue and he couldn't speak a word of English so was put in the remedial class. When it came to PE and we played football, he didn't understand it at all, got confused, kept picking up the ball. Anyway it didn't take long for him to get the hang of it, he was athletic, quite quick and had a good shot on him. Then came Easter, football stopped and instead we played Hockey. We had a teacher, Bulldog Collins they called him, he had obviously played a bit of hockey previously. His favourite trick was to lift the ball off the ground, sending it flying through the air. I think you were supposed to stop it with your hand and let it drop to the floor. Anyway one day Collins did this, sending the ball hurtling across the area. Cecil did no more than head the ball into the net. We all waited for him to collapse on the floor but he didn't, just ran around, arms aloft screaming Goooooaaaaaalllllll!!! He'd learnt a few words by then. I still don't know to this day whether it was technically a goal or not but I've never forgotten the incident.

Remarkable coincidence, Cecil Clue knocked me out in a Sunday League game once, clash of heads, he had a head like stone. It was a cup game and the Dylag brothers were playing, I think the side was Plessey 84?

[Tabasco Kid]

Remarkable coincidence, Cecil Clue knocked me out in a Sunday League game once, clash of heads, he had a head like stone. It was a cup game and the Dylag brothers were playing, I think the side was Plessey 84?

Ah yes, redolent of the time when our bunch of ragamuffins and sunday league wannabees, played against Gartree prison wardens. Their centre forward, elbowed me, and then jumped on my ankle for good measure. The animals name was Nick Greenslade.

[BackOfTheNet]

This reminds me about a story from when I was at school. If I've told it before, apologies.

We had a new student arrive from I believe one of the African countries, though I guess it could have been the West Indies. His name was Cecil Clue and he couldn't speak a word of English so was put in the remedial class. When it came to PE and we played football, he didn't understand it at all, got confused, kept picking up the ball. Anyway it didn't take long for him to get the hang of it, he was athletic, quite quick and had a good shot on him. Then came Easter, football stopped and instead we played Hockey. We had a teacher, Bulldog Collins they called him, he had obviously played a bit of hockey previously. His favourite trick was to lift the ball off the ground, sending it flying through the air. I think you were supposed to stop it with your hand and let it drop to the floor. Anyway one day Collins did this, sending the ball hurtling across the area. Cecil did no more than head the ball into the net. We all waited for him to collapse on the floor but he didn't, just ran around, arms aloft screaming Goooooaaaaaalllllll!!! He'd learnt a few words by then. I still don't know to this day whether it was technically a goal or not but I've never forgotten the incident.

Brilliant story, Marvo! We had a Spanish kid join our school. His name was phonetically pronounced as Daveed Maureece, but inevitably he was called David Morris by everyone. He spoke perfect English when he joined but he ended up taking Spanish as a GCSE.

I didn't do Spanish myself, but it was taught by a notoriously strict and shouty teacher and apparently those lessons were a sight to behold as David continually corrected his bad Spanish!

[Coolcat]

Simpson thinks it's illegal already.

Along with moving!

Marvo's story has been lifted from Goodness Gracious Me I reckon! 

[therealpattcobb]

Watching Money Night Football on Sky a few weeks ago and they had the Brentford manager on talking about how Brentford survive in the Prem against bigger/better sides.

He identified set pieces as a key differential maker and the goals they provided have probably keep them in the league. 

I'm massively suprised Brady hasn't identified this or if he has hasn't done it very well.  Lower budget teams have to find areas in which they can compete with the extra quality in a higher division.  Small margins and all that.  Feels like we've tried to go and match up with league one sides which for the most part have better players and deeper pockets.

A great post that raises a solid point. Think Atkins' team in the late 90s. Also think percentages. Play great football if you can, but when you get a set-piece you work and work and work on delivery don't you? Anything that can go in the opposition box, should go in there.
Anything near enough for Pinnock to throw the ball in the box, then in it should go.