How John Mousinho has revolutionised the way Oxford defend set-pieces

The role John Mousinho has played for Oxford this season would not have been quite what he expected.

His desire to get into coaching is well documented, but playing as little as 110 minutes of league football this season was surely less than even he envisioned.

However the work John Mousinho is doing behind the scenes is among the biggest step forwards in the club this year.

Oxford have long had an issue with defending set-pieces and though last season saw a significant improvement, this year they have been notably better at both ends of the pitch.

These set pieces can be crucial in deciding tight games, and its been a particularly useful habit this season.

United have won six league games by one goal margins and have only lost three games by the odd goal – only Peterborough have as few of these defeats.

Even if Oxford are losing, its not because of set pieces.

Scrappy one goal wins are usually decided by a corner or free kick at this level. 

Oxford winning twice as many games by one goal than they lose suggests they are getting more goals by attacking set pieces now as well as defending them expertly.

Defensive improvements 

Oxford have conceded the fifth least set-piece goals this season in League One.

Although, all the teams below them have conceded far fewer goals overall.

To take a more considered view of how well teams defend set pieces compared to their overall defensive actions, we can look at the percentage of goals conceded by a team which come from set-plays.

Oxford still rank highly on this list, indicating a side that are not just strong at defending in general, but very organised from set-pieces.

Oxford are also winning the seventh most aerial duels per match in League One, likely something to do with how effectively they are defending these scenarios.

There also seems to be less last gasp set-piece goals that we have too often seen Oxford concede.

They have scored 22 goals in the last 30 minutes of league games this year whilst only conceding 14. If any side are nicking late goals in this manner, it's Oxford.

Oxford have currently played the same number of league games (30) this season as in last year’s curtailed campaign.

Last season, they conceded ten goals from set-pieces, whilst this year its only six.

The 2019-20 Oxford were considerably better at defending set-plays, but still this year has seen a visible step forward in their organisation.

Even without the use of stats it is obvious that Oxford have been defending corners and free kicks better this season.

Both Moore and Atkinson are excellent in the air, but John Mousinho barking instructions to them from the side of the pitch cannot be ignored.

It is extremely rare to see Oxford concede a free header this season, and their system must get credit for that. 

How has John Mousinho changed things? 

It has been noted that Oxford have a somewhat unusual style of defending set plays, corners in particular.

United like to ensure they have enough bodies back to defend the corner, often sacrificing men on the break - which seems the least Robinson act possible.

It is rare to see Oxford keep any more than one player out from the box and they often leave no player further than the edge of the area.

On this corner against Portsmouth though – with the score still at 0-0 – Robinson has left Shodipo up on the break.

Portsmouth have left plenty of men on the edge of the area, so Lee – and Brannagan who is mirroring him on the right but off screen – are sitting ready to clear the second ball.

Other than that, it is simplicity that seems to be the trademark for Oxford defending corners.

Two men go zonal – occupying the traditional front and back post areas – whilst all the other players go man for man.

These markers know exactly who they are taking and where to stand because it is in the shape of Oxford’s usual formation.

The four ball winners in the middle are Oxford’s back line in their regular defensive positions.

There are of course exceptions to this rule if certain danger men need marking, but the system allows for greater communication and understanding within the box.

United win the first header from this corner and easily clear the danger.

The simple set-up also helps Oxford prepare for any routine.

Take their match against MK Dons, when they are facing a short corner.

As MK Dons work the ball around the edge of the box, the defensive line all remain in position – though Sam Long and Josh Ruffels, who is just off screen in this, have switched markers – and as MK Dons try to create movement around the area, Oxford stay strong and the move fizzles out.

Also note that despite being 1-0 down, Oxford have all eleven players behind the ball.

The same basic but effective technique is used from free kicks delivered into the box – like the one above.

How has this changed from last season then.

As mentioned, Oxford were much improved at corners last year, but they had less cohesion and understanding in their system which still left them susceptible to alternative routines.

Take this one against Rotherham.

It’s a move clearly worked on from the training ground, but Oxford’s organisation still leaves much to be desired. 

Far from the simple and organised formation that has worked so well this season, the backline are all over the place.

No defender is where they would usually be positioned, whilst Rotherham have manufactured a scenario where none of Oxford’s defenders and tallest players are marking the central space where so many goals are scored.

In fact, the only player able to get into that space is Alex Gorrin who is the wrong side of his man.

Taylor’s positioning also means there are two players marking the front post and nobody at the back.

Dickie, Long and Gorrin have all lost their markers in the chaos, whilst Moore isn’t even looking at the ball.

This one goes deep – though they could have easily created a chance with any ball – and Elliot Moore is only able to half clear it.

As the ball comes back out, the disorganisation within Oxford’s area remains.

Rob Dickie and Elliot Moore, Oxford’s two strongest aerial presences, are marking the same man whilst there is a mismatch at the back post.

Sure enough, the ball goes to the back where Rotherham’s biggest centre back, Richard Wood, is easily able to outjump Gorrin to make it 3-0 to the visitors on the stroke of half time.

The complex system of marking meant Oxford were open to runners from the first phase, and then disorganised in the second.

It's notable also that John Mousinho was not playing this game, perhaps a factor in how unorganised United looked. 

This year, Oxford have gone back to basics, making it easier to understand what everyone’s role is, and its working a treat.  

By this evidence, Mousinho will have a long coaching career ahead of him when he does hang up his boots.