Is it normal to employ a "zonal" marking system in open play?

Because that is what I honestly think they are doing watching back the highlights from the last few games.

I appreciuate that all formations and systems are zonal to a degree in that you need to keep your shape and not get dragged out of position too easily but time and time again when teams attack us or put crosses in with have half a dozen, sometimes more defenders back there. Often the opposition only has a couple of players in the box. And yet our players don't close down, they don't track the runners at all. They seem to be obsessively marking a patch of grass rather than looking at what the forwards are doing.

The 2nd goal last night is perhaps the best example. All our defenders lined up, spaced out across the area 6 yards out. One Liverpool player to deal with. AS chipped cross that should be meat and drink for an experienced centre back. But they all just stand still. Origi doesn;t even have to move to make the header. Its not like he outjumps Hanley with a magnificent leap.

What I am struggling with ius that Hanley and Gibson are experienced defenders. I simply refuse to believe they ahve just forgotten the basics of defending. This must be a system/tactical approach we are employing.

Posted By: Jim, Sep 22, 09:44:58