Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels says it is about “commitment” not structure when defending set pieces.
The 32-year-old joined the Reds on deadline day in February and went on to feature 16 times in the Premier League, conceding 27 goals.
Nearly a third of all Forest’s goals conceded last season came from set pieces, with no team in the league letting in more than their 22.
“We tried to change the structure – man against man, zonal – in the end it is not about the structure it is about commitment,” he told BBC East Midlands Today.
“I’m not saying that we didn’t do it well last season but in the the end it was crazy, we always took a goal from the set piece.
“In football, set plays and set pieces are important. We need to improve this for next season. Last season every week we were working on it but we still conceded goals on it.
“There was not really something that we could do better, maybe just commitment, so maybe this season we won’t concede that many more goals like that.”
Despite becoming Nuno Espirito Santo’s number one keeper last campaign, Sels will face competition for his position this season with the arrival of 6ft 8in Brazilian Carlos Miguel.
Asked who will be number one Sels said: “I don’t know. I did my job last season. The coach will always decide.
“Matt Turner, Miguel, me, there is good competition between us and in the end it is important to have competition between keepers.
“We are good with each other and, most important, it is always [about] the team and the coach will decide. But I did my job last season so we will see what happens this season.”
Nottingham Forest,Matz Sels,Carlos Miguel,Premier League,set pieces,Matt Turner
