Austin MacPhee

[Nev]

Because his arrival coincided with everything going to shit I questioned his value on here and was surprised when the previous Manager retained him, and even more surprised when Emery did the same. Considering he was happy to boot long standing and respected members of coaching staff such as Cutler, his retention of McPhee was a surprise. Don't get me wrong, I believe Emery was right to get his own staff in but McPhee is something of an outlier in that respect.

But, just like he does with players, our Manager is brilliant at getting the best out what he inherits and the Nickleback throwback can stay as long as Emery wants him.

[dubaivillain]

that Trackman thing was gonna be the ace up his sleeve
He knew Unai would love it to death it was like revealing kryptonite to superman

He got him hook line and sinker with that master plan

So are you saying he's shite then?

I thought that. Revealing kryptonite to superman would make him run a mile, he doesn’t like that stuff does he

[PaulTheVillan]

Because his arrival coincided with everything going to shit I questioned his value on here and was surprised when the previous Manager retained him, and even more surprised when Emery did the same. Considering he was happy to boot long standing and respected members of coaching staff such as Cutler, his retention of McPhee was a surprise. Don't get me wrong, I believe Emery was right to get his own staff in but McPhee is something of an outlier in that respect.

But, just like he does with players, our Manager is brilliant at getting the best out what he inherits and the Nickleback throwback can stay as long as Emery wants him.

That Nickelback throwback was married to Avil Lavigne. My younger self would have been very jealous of that.

[john e]

that Trackman thing was gonna be the ace up his sleeve
He knew Unai would love it to death it was like revealing kryptonite to superman

He got him hook line and sinker with that master plan

So are you saying he's shite then?

I thought that. Revealing kryptonite to superman would make him run a mile, he doesn’t like that stuff does he

Just trying a post in jest but failing miserably

[Hookeysmith]

Anyone else notice on Saturday - Luton have a corner and MacPhee screams at 3 of our players to all go to the half way line which in turn instantly dragged 3 of their attacking players out of our box to cover them. I think it was Bailey, Diaby and possibly McGinn

This has boiled my piss for seasons when we defend a corner that we have everyone back and nothing as an outball as i could no9t see what the smallest / fastest player on the pitch could do to defend against huge centre halfs

Little changes make a huge difference

[Somniloquism]

Same here. All 10 outfield players in the box do is get in each others way AND means their players can push closer in and pick up any second ball from a clearance.

Interesting the story in the Atlantic states he has also worked with Luiz on penalties as well.

[Dave P]

I think his start was more the first set piece goal we scored was a long throw and we couldn’t defend set pieces for toffee. Then it seemed the next season, the grand tactic was getting Luiz to shoot from corners.

As others have said, he wouldn’t have kept his job under Emery if he wasn’t talented, and we are getting more rewards from his work.

[Mister E]

Anyone else notice on Saturday - Luton have a corner and MacPhee screams at 3 of our players to all go to the half way line which in turn instantly dragged 3 of their attacking players out of our box to cover them. I think it was Bailey, Diaby and possibly McGinn

This has boiled my piss for seasons when we defend a corner that we have everyone back and nothing as an outball as i could no9t see what the smallest / fastest player on the pitch could do to defend against huge centre halfs

Little changes make a huge difference

Totally.
We've tried some more expansive set pieces this season - Was it against Palace when the freekick ball was flicked over the wall for (I think) Diaby to volley toward goal. The corner on Sunday that created SJM's goal was a little different too.
MacPhee is coming into his own now.

[The Edge]

Emery seems more than happy with him so that'll do for me. Long live "Nanny McPhee"

[Smithy]

that Trackman thing was gonna be the ace up his sleeve
He knew Unai would love it to death it was like revealing kryptonite to superman

He got him hook line and sinker with that master plan

Trackman seems so obvious for set pieces, with hindsight.  If you've ever played golf and used one, you'll know it tells you everything like speed and elevation angle of the ball, even rotation.  I would imagine with enough data, you'd know exactly what speed the ball needs to be hit in order to optimise the chances of it going in, from all distances - then you coach the to that. i.e. "You hit that 2mph too hard Dougie, it'll never drop enough to go in", and "not enough spin on that free kick".

It's all marginal gains though, and us being one of the best teams with set pieces is proof it works I guess.

[Mister E]

that Trackman thing was gonna be the ace up his sleeve
He knew Unai would love it to death it was like revealing kryptonite to superman
He got him hook line and sinker with that master plan

Trackman seems so obvious for set pieces, with hindsight.  If you've ever played golf and used one, you'll know it tells you everything like speed and elevation angle of the ball, even rotation.  I would imagine with enough data, you'd know exactly what speed the ball needs to be hit in order to optimise the chances of it going in, from all distances - then you coach the to that. i.e. "You hit that 2mph too hard Dougie, it'll never drop enough to go in", and "not enough spin on that free kick".
It's all marginal gains though, and us being one of the best teams with set pieces is proof it works I guess.

It only works if the ref knows how to mark out 10 yards (as we saw when Digne scored one last season: we got the ref to re-set the 10-yard distance). W-Prowse also sussed it when moving the ball back 2 yards when attempting a freekick against us. Hopefully, MacPhee will have briefed all the key players to ensure that the distances are honoured so that the training-ground work can deliver.

[Mellin]

Same here. All 10 outfield players in the box do is get in each others way AND means their players can push closer in and pick up any second ball from a clearance.

Interesting the story in the Atlantic states he has also worked with Luiz on penalties as well.

Can you be more specific on the details?

[pauliewalnuts]

Let's be totally honest, a good slice of the reason he used to get stick on here was because he stood our with that insane, frankly unacceptable, Rick Wakeman haircut.

He seems to be really important to Emery, despite not being one of his original group, you can tell that by how much time he spends getting into the coaching on the sidelines, and not only for set pieces.

[paul_e]

Let's be totally honest, a good slice of the reason he used to get stick on here was because he stood our with that insane, frankly unacceptable, Rick Wakeman haircut.

He seems to be really important to Emery, despite not being one of his original group, you can tell that by how much time he spends getting into the coaching on the sidelines, and not only for set pieces.

and because for a long time under Gerrard he was the only one on the bench who was clearly doing anything, so people started thinking that he played a much bigger part (outside set pieces) than he really did. The truth was he was the only one who watched things falling apart and said something.

[Somniloquism]

Same here. All 10 outfield players in the box do is get in each others way AND means their players can push closer in and pick up any second ball from a clearance.

Interesting the story in the Atlantic states he has also worked with Luiz on penalties as well.

Can you be more specific on the details?

The details for Luiz and McPhee? Main article is in the Luiz thread, however the part I was mentioned is quoted below.

When Ollie Watkins was taken off penalties after missing spot kicks in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in May and then during a pre-season friendly, Emery went searching for a replacement.

There was a clear gap and lack of experience that needed addressing. Douglas Luiz was chosen because of his accurate and consistent technique. Alongside MacPhee, he has worked on a routine where he runs slowly before winding up and striking the ball at speed.