MARGINAL gains. It was a term first popularised in the world of cycling, but one which is now becoming ever more relevant in football.
Specifically with regards to how specialist set-piece coaches have risen to prominence over the past decade or so, it is a part of the game which is now vitally important.
Yet, there is still a reticence in some quarters to acknowledge the obvious benefits of having a staff member whose job it is to coach this area exclusively.
Some people view it as a luxury. Others view it as a waste of time and money altogether. But the numbers tell a very different story.
Since 2020, set-plays have accounted for 25 per cent of all goals scored in the SPFL Premiership. In the English Premier League, that figure increases to 30 per cent.
Arsenal have claimed the title of set-piece kings down south thanks to the work of Nicolas Jover in Mikel Arteta’s backroom team.
Scotland’s Austin MacPhee continues to land plum jobs around European football because of his expertise in this area.
Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard volleys home from a set-piece corner kick
Danny Rohl welcomes set-piece coach Scott Fry to Rangers back in November
When Rangers appointed Scott Fry as their set-piece coach back in November, it was a move met with very little fanfare.
Plucked from the relative obscurity of League One with Lincoln City, Fry could have walked down Edmiston Drive in plain sight and no one would have bothered him.
But he has quickly established himself as a vital member of Danny Rohl’s coaching staff, with set-pieces playing a huge role in Rangers’ march up the table.
Over the past week alone, three of the four goals they scored in back-to-back 2-0 wins over Aberdeen came directly from set-plays.
Indeed, they could well have had another had a Manny Fernandez header not been harshly ruled out for a foul on Dimitar Mitov at Pittodrie on Sunday afternoon.
Last season, Lincoln scored 30 goals from set-plays, almost half of their entire output (64). Unsurprisingly, that was the most of any team in League One.
Lincoln specifically targeted set-plays as an area for growth and improvement, and even started using an AI tool to help with their research and design of routines.
Speaking after Fry’s move to Rangers had been confirmed, Lincoln director of football Jez George said: ‘We went on a journey together in terms of our use of AI to improve our processes and design of set-plays, which resulted in outstanding outcomes and inevitably attracted the attention of other clubs.
Lincoln City were the set-piece kings last season, scoring 30 goals from dead balls
‘Scott made it clear that it would take a life-changing offer for him to leave and, while we have managed to rebuff a number of approaches, we respect that Rangers have provided him with an opportunity that he can’t turn down.
‘We thank Scott for his contribution to our continued development over the past four seasons, the culture that he has embedded regarding set plays and sincerely wish him well for this next challenge.’
It hasn’t taken long for Fry to work his magic at Ibrox. Since he arrived at the club, Rangers have scored eight league goals from set-plays in 11 matches.
The latest entry on this growing list came on Sunday when a well-worked short corner between James Tavernier and Jayden Meghoma eventually saw Thelo Aasgaard steer a good finish beyond Mitov for the opening goal.
Rohl was asked afterwards whether the addition of Fry could prove to be Rangers’ best signing of the season.
Rangers boss Danny Rohl has paid tribute to the work of set-piece coach Scott Fry (middle)
Not only did Rohl sing his praises, he also name-checked the now-departed sporting director Kevin Thelwell for helping to bring Fry to the club.
‘I think he [Fry] worked well,’ said Rohl. ‘He is a part of the coaching group. We have a great culture in our coaching group. We should not forget there is more than just me or Scott.
‘Also, other guys. At this point, also I say thank you to Kevin [Thelwell]. Kevin was also helpful in getting this transfer done [Fry]. This is a big respect to him as well.
‘I had a good talk with Scott. I felt straight away that there is just more than the content. There is also a human aspect. I said this to my coaches.
‘We have a good communication, a good relationship and a good atmosphere at our table in the coaching team and we are the mirror for the group.
‘When the games are so tight, you need to have this threat at set-pieces and be able to score. Scott is doing a fantastic job.’
To put Fry’s impact into context, Rangers did not score a single set-piece goal until Boxing Day of last season.
This time around, they now have 13 by the mid-point of the season. Only Hearts have scored more with 14.
Austin MacPhee has worked with the Scotland national team and is set-piece coach at Aston Villa
At the other end of the spectrum, Celtic are bottom of the pile with only two set-piece goals this season.
Given that the title looks destined to be extremely tight this season, could set-play coaches play a pivotal role if it goes all the way?
It’s not beyond the realms to imagine a scenario where a corner or free-kick routine could decide a match between these title rivals come the end of the season.
Very few clubs in the SPFL currently have a specialist set-piece coach. In that regard, Rangers and Hearts, who employ Ross Grant in the same role, both lead the way.
The fact they also top the charts for goals scored in this area is clearly no coincidence. These guys are worth their weight in gold.
