Xabi Alonso

[rikf]

We all know about xabi's ability on the ball and his brilliant passing something that is very rarely mentioned is his excellent heading of the ball. Especially in the centre circle not only does he manage to reach the ball but the direction he puts on it is excellent and often straight at a team mate.

[Kite]

He's no Lucas Neill though

[Guest Sabre]

Mark Gonzalez is also very good at heading.

[pinstriped]

He was pretty good for Spain in the World Cup on corners (scored a header, had one cleared off the line I think?). Although that might also be because he's taller than 2/3 of their team, but still. It was interesting to see Aragones put him in the box for corners/set pieces, I can't remember seeing him in there much during our games - he's taking the corners or waiting outside the box for loose balls, usually.

Edited August 30, 2006 by pinstriped

[fyds]

He was pretty good for Spain in the World Cup on corners (scored a header, had one cleared off the line I think?). Although that might also be because he's taller than 2/3 of their team, but still. It was interesting to see Aragones put him in the box for corners/set pieces, I can't remember seeing him in there much during our games - he's taking the corners or waiting outside the box for loose balls, usually.

We have a few such as Sami, Carra, Stevie, Dagger etc who are more likely to score set pieces while Alonso is likely to take set pieces. He is good with his head though as you say...one of the best headers of a ball since Riedle at Anfield was Nunez.

[Guest fender_rhodes]

Bit off the tangent, but Gerrard used to score a few from headers when Gary Mac took the corners.

 

Stevie's corners aren't great, but his heading is pretty good. He should be in the box. The goal against Chelsea at home last year was scored when he was in the box after a corner bounced to him. He's more useful in the box than at the flag.

[Dule]

I actually think Stevie will score 2-3 goals this year with his head from setpieces.

[micmij]

...one of the best headers of a ball since Riedle at Anfield was Nunez.

I think Kuyt might turn out to be up there with those two, as well.

 

Alonso's a damn fine footballer all round. I'm impressed by the fact you'll find him tracking back to make a vital interception in our box and, generally, he's a much harder worker than people give him credit for.

[_00_deathscar]

one of the best headers of a ball since Riedle at Anfield was Nunez.

 

dont forget little luis!

[Koogan]

dont forget little luis!

 

And forget Crouch... he's awful if he has to jump for a header. He gets no direction or even a hint of power in his delivery. From the position he gets into John Toshack, for example, would have scored and made twice as many goals.

 

Luckily Crouchie only needs to stoop most of the time

[Stevie H]

have never understood this inability of some footballers to head a ball properly. you're a professional player, of course you should be able to head a ball well. and if not, what the hell are you doing all day in training every day?

[Guest Les Howard]

have never understood this inability of some footballers to head a ball properly. you're a professional player, of course you should be able to head a ball well. and if not, what the hell are you doing all day in training every day?

 

so why can't some players use their left foot then? Same principal applies.

[Stevie H]

so why can't some players use their left foot then? Same principal applies.

absolutely. there's no excuse whatsoever for it. they're just f***ing lazy.

[Buzz]

Xabi's tackling has improved to, he really gets stuck in and his timimg seems excellent. He will be an amazing player when he eventually goes back to Spain.

[johngibo YPC]

Nunez was brilliant in the air

[Rex Ham]

have never understood this inability of some footballers to head a ball properly. you're a professional player, of course you should be able to head a ball well. and if not, what the hell are you doing all day in training every day?

 

..something, about the only thing, Momo needs to work on.

[Frosty Jack]

Nunez was brilliant in the air

 

He scored that vital goal in the carling cup final with his head didn't he?

[Buzz]

He scored that vital goal in the carling cup final with his head didn't he?

I'm sure it was his header that Mellor got the rebound from in the Olympiacos game. It was he who out jumped Carvallo(?) (Chelsea) who punched the ball at Anfield for the penalty that never got given that made Carragher soooooo angry. He well out jumped him too.