Why West Ham Keep Conceding From Corners: Tactical Breakdown

Introduction to West Ham's corner defending woes

West Ham United's poor form in the Premier League this season has raised many questions, particularly around their vulnerability during defensive corners. Conceding seven goals from corners in just five games is alarming for any top-flight team. This article delves into the tactical reasons behind West Ham's struggles from set-pieces and analyses why opponents have found consistent success exploiting these weaknesses.

The role of blockers in disrupting West Ham's goalkeeper

A recurring theme in West Ham's conceded goals from corners is the use of 'blockers' by opposing teams. This tactic involves an attacking player positioning themselves close to West Ham’s goalkeeper, effectively limiting his range of movement and ability to claim the ball. This method is reminiscent of 'screening' in basketball, where a player stands firm to obstruct a defender, creating space for teammates.

For example, during the heavy 5-1 defeat to Chelsea in August, Liam Delap was deployed to mark goalkeeper Mads Hermansen tightly. Delap’s role was to restrict Hermansen’s mobility without fouling, forcing the keeper into a cramped position crowded by Chelsea’s eleven players in the six-yard box. This tactic severely hampered Hermansen's ability to intercept crosses, enabling Chelsea to capitalise on flick-ons and rebounds.

The subtle shift this season is that referees appear less stringent on contact with goalkeepers during corners, making blocking more effective. This change has further complicated West Ham’s defensive task and allowed opponents to execute these routines with greater physicality.

Exploiting West Ham's back post vulnerability

Historically, most corners favour near-post deliveries, so teams often crowd that area. West Ham’s opponents have adapted by targeting the far post, where the Hammers usually allocate fewer defenders. This leaves the back post exposed, creating opportunities for attackers to find unmarked space.

Spurs’ recent victory over West Ham is a case in point. Spurs positioned two attackers at the far post against West Ham’s single defender, allowing Pape Matar Sarr to get free and score. Notably, Spurs used a clever form of blocking by standing behind West Ham defenders to impede their movement towards the target area. Combined with Hermansen’s inability to leave his line due to congestion, this approach proved devastating.

How movement and positioning deepen West Ham's problems

West Ham's defenders often try to shift towards the ball when it comes to the far post, but attackers blocking their paths prevent this. Such off-the-ball tactics, including physical barriers and positional screening, restrict defender mobility. This results in attackers gaining critical moments of freedom to deliver or finish crosses, as seen in multiple Premier League matches.

Crystal Palace's exemplification of set-piece mastery

Crystal Palace recently demonstrated a near-perfect corner routine that combined all the tactics troubling West Ham. Jean-Philippe Mateta mirrored the blocking role, standing close to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and preventing him from advancing. At the far post, blockers created space for Palace’s captain Marc Guehi to break free unmarked and connect with a looping cross from Daichi Kamada.

The combination of crowding the six-yard box, using blockers at crucial points, and controlling defender movement enabled Palace to score a well-executed header. This routine highlighted how set-piece complexity has evolved and how West Ham’s current defensive setup is struggling to adapt.

Why set-piece defending is crucial for Premier League survival

In this era of tactical sophistication, set-pieces can decide tight matches. Teams invest in specialised coaches and data analysis to refine routines that exploit opponents’ weaknesses. West Ham’s failure to neutralise these threats not only costs goals but undermines confidence across the squad.

Improving their set-piece defence could be pivotal for West Ham’s season turnaround. It requires better coordination, physicality, and awareness to counter blockers, maintain marking discipline, and protect vulnerable zones like the far post.

How West Ham can learn from other teams and improve

To address these issues, West Ham might consider several tactical adjustments:

• Assigning additional defenders as bodyguards to their goalkeeper to counter blockers more effectively.
• Rebalancing the marking system to ensure sufficient coverage both near and far posts.
• Training defenders on recognising and navigating blocking tactics to maintain marking integrity.
• Utilising video analysis and data-driven insights to anticipate opponents’ set-piece patterns.

These steps could transform a recurring weakness into a defensive strength, restoring stability at the back.

Conclusion: Turning corner frailties into strengths

West Ham’s ongoing difficulties defending corners stem from a combination of tactical exploitation by opponents and a lack of effective countermeasures. The use of blockers, far-post overloads, and positional screening have repeatedly unsettled their defence.

As the Premier League season progresses, the Hammers must prioritise remedying these set-piece frailties. Doing so could reverse their fortunes and provide a solid foundation for improved results.

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