Take Heart - They suck at defending set-pieces!

[Philly]

Was checking out some videos of the French team in action and came across this clip from their loss against Austria.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PzilMdtwd0

The first two goals for Austria came directly from free-kicks. The Austrians then won a peno after Mexes made a complete mess of this defending a set-piece.

It's clear that their main weakness is our strength. If Lawrence starts, they will really struggle to deal with his delivery.

Also, they are a massive threat when they get the ball in the box from crosses. I think that is okay. The way we set out our stall defensively, we really limit delivery into the box.

Lads, if we play to our strengths, and keep our cool, there's every chance we could be off to South Africa. I'm feeling good about it all of a sudden!

[irishfan86]

They look vulnerable from set pieces, but even in that mess of a game the French hit two crossbars...could easily have been 3-3 or even 3-2 for the French if the ref turned a blind eye to the grabbing in the box (was pretty awful defending in fairness!).

[DannyInvincible]

First two Austrian goals are like a circus in the box. Appalling defending.

[jebus]

they're very beatable lads, i don't know where this fear of them is coming from

[geysir]

Would that be dutch courage or the real thing?

[aldo88]

We have nothing to fear. You see Gallas every weak in the premiership but he always has a big man beside him i.e. Vermallen. He not going to win many headers defensively. With the crowd at max volume we going to do it. They scared of our passion

[Stuttgart88]

Even against Wolves Arsenal's central defence - led by Gallas - looked weak at set pieces. Their keeper looks good but is only 22. We need to put him under pressure early.