Is Kasper Schmeichel or defence the problem on set-pieces?

Throughout the last year Brendan Rodgers routinely switched defensive tactics when defending set-pieces, the Foxes started the majority of the first half of the season in a zonal-marking system, occasionally moving to a mixed marking system. Which is not uncommon and something that many teams in the Premier League do in fact use.

This choice of system and lack of use of a man-to-man alternative may have been due to the personnel that was available to Rodgers in this period. Wilfred Ndidi and Wesley Fofana the most notable of the absentees, as they are generally two of the sides best defensive and most aggressive headers of the ball. Which is why, when in a zone Ndidi is generally placed as the first line of defence on the front of the six-yard box.

However, due to the continued lack of success – and possibly LCFC fan induced pressure  – Rodgers changed the system to man-to-man to try nullifying or reduce the number of goals and general pressure sustained from opposition corners. Was there much of a change? Slightly at the start, even if that change was simply instilling confidence into the side.

What must also be taken into account is that this change did also coincide with the return of Fofana and Jonny Evans. Something that the Leicester boss had spoken about up until that time, was not having the right personnel in place to carry out his wishes. But then the question must be posed to Rodgers, shouldn’t all the elite managers have a system in place where personnel should only make so much of a difference.

As everyone knows the goals conceded from corners and set-pieces did not stop there and LCFC looked just as susceptible closing out the seasons as they did at earlier points in the year. So, this now brings us all the way to the first preseason game of a new campaign, at home to the non-league side Notts County.