Colback's Development...

https://www.bsports.com/statsinsights/football/jack-colbacks-development-sunderland?#.U4RJBxZ_VYY

Jack Colback finally established himself in the centre of the Sunderland midfield over the course of the 2013/14 season after spending previous seasons being used in more of a utility role – stepping in and impressing wherever required. Agreeing a new contract with the 24-year old should be the number one priority internally – before one of his (many) other suitors beat the club to his signature.

Colback is one of eight players out of contract this summer at the Stadium of Light, along with Phil Bardsley, Sebastian Larsson, Craig Gardner, Oscar Ustari, Keiren Westwood, Carlos Cuellar and Andrea Dossena – with Bardsley (Stoke) and Gardner (West Brom) already agreeing deals elsewhere. Furthermore, Ondrej Celustka, Marcos Alonso, Ki Sung-Yueng, Fabio Borini and Santiago Vergini have all come to the end of their loan spells (although the latter may return on a free transfer) – meaning that 13 players that featured during the 2013/14 season could need to be replaced this summer, and that’s before the likely departures of players like Modibo Diakite, Danny Graham and Cabral.

So it’s probably going to be (another) summer of change at the Stadium of Light, one year after 14 players arrived, with a further five new signings in January. Few of the departures will really be missed, especially among the players that are out of contract or could be sold, but Colback would be one of them.

Colback is a product of the Sunderland Academy and is a very tidy, hard-working player in the club’s midfield – one that would fit seamlessly into many sides. Defensively, he made 2.08 tackles and 1.45 interceptions on a per 90 minute basis last season as he both puts pressure on opponents and the ball – and he also made 5.38 ball recoveries per 90 minutes. However, it’s his passing and attacking statistics that have shown development.

Let’s start with passing – given that his primary role is in the midfield. Colback has averaged around 36.0 passes per 90 minutes over each season – with 36.0 passes per 90 during 2013/14 as 27.4% of his passes came in the final third. What he has developed his passing accuracy – both overall and in the final third:

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Colback’s 2009/10 season with Sunderland lasted all of 11 minutes – so numbers from that year are all sample size effected. Nonetheless, during the 2013/14 season, he (only just) ranked second behind Ki in both metrics, as the South Korean was the only Sunderland player with an overall passing accuracy above 90% (at 90.7%), as 84.7% of Ki’s passes were successful in the final third (where Colback and Ki were the only players with a passing accuracy above 75%).

Colback’s most noticeable change to his game is in an attacking sense – an area in which he had received criticism in the past. The midfielder scored three and assisted two goals, an average of 0.19 goal contributions per 90 minutes, after scoring just one Premier League goal in his career beforehand. Scoring the opener against West Brom in that match that secured Sunderland’s survival as well as in the 3-0 win at Newcastle has done wonders to improve the perception of Colback’s attacking influence – it’s what key goals does for a player – but there has been a small increase in both shots and shot assists:

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Still, Colback is averaging less than one shot and one shot assist per 90 minutes, both not particularly strong numbers to display an attacking influence. However, it’s what he has done when shooting that highlights the improvement, as 64.7% of his shots have come from inside the box (i.e. better shooting locations for scoring goals) compared to 45.5% last season and 46.2% the season before. Of course, improvement is seen in his goal numbers, but this is further highlighted by his shots on target rate:

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While his prior frustration of being used as a utility man is understandable, Colback has now established himself in his favourite role and the hope should be that his development continues at Sunderland. He would be a real loss to the squad, which is not something that could be said about many of the other departing; highlighting the need to keep the player rather than lose him for nothing. A busy summer should be expected for Gus Poyet and Sporting Director Lee Congerton – but keeping Jack Colback would be a strong start.

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Sure a few on here dont think the lads up to scratch but looking at a few of the facts on there I'd say he is improving rather quickly

Seriously hope we keep hold of the lad

 

When he played LB I screamed for him to go back to midfield to which we were told by many that he's was never a premeir league midfielder and never will be. Shame we wasted a season of his midfield development playing him out of position. Never play developing lads out of position, they should master their natural position first always.

 

My humble pie will only be nice if he signs a new contract and I consider myself suitably chastised Bri!

But in my defence - he was awful in midfield in the games he played there up to moving to left back - and also he is very capable at left back as back up and a decent midfielder - no Iniesta but a decent player all the same. I hope he stays.

 

interesting stuff here lads. I'd say his development is 'typical' of anyone useful playing in the league at his still young age, esp this position. bright start, then a dip in form/management/position for a couple of years, before finding his feet and confidence.

it would be a crying shame for another club to benefit from this bedding in period as all the signs are there he could continue to blossom and grow in confidence with the right players and footballing philosophy in place.

 

Had a love hate thing with Colback but ill be gutted when he signs for someone else, especially if/when its Newcastle

 

As he is now a free agent (what a blunder!!), we must value JC in the same way that rival clubs will and he is worth keeping in my opinion, and in a year or two he could well attract a big fee from a top club, if he doesn't then we still have a very good, consistent and versatile premiership player who rarely has a poor game. Win Win

 

Actually very good and steady improvement clear on that.

For me though, as I keep repeating, I can't get too excited for him staying or disappointed if he doesn't, he's a neat and tidy player, and he's a grafter, but I really do think that CM is where we need to really step up a level, if that means he loses his place, so be it.

If he goes and we don't get a very good replacement I'd be pissed like, but we should be looking at Milner etc, players at that level, to step up to top 10.

 

He wasn't great no but that period was his first 30-35 games as a midfield premier league starter. Prior to him breaking the team in that period he'd only made sub appearances and time on loan. Was way too early for me to write the lad off. He'd be much better now if we'd stuck with him in midfield instead of lb. I believe the clubs inability to sign permanent LB's has stunted the lad slightly, flip side he got game time but surely it would have been better spent in his natural position? A new contract is vital because I reckon he'll improve further, he'll be a cracking squad member for the next couple of seasons and if we can get him on a long enough contract we've got a saleable asset should we out grow him.

 

Much rather be chastised by you than some of the numpties on here Bri! I kind of agree - but hindsight is a wonderful thing as they say.

If he signs for the mags though I will detest him. OK so he supported them as a boy but his football has been grown by Sunderland - If he lines up in their colours I will lose all respect for him after the support he has been given by us

 

No chastising mate, more of a 'I was right' moment without naming names(couldn't remember who said it anyway). I'm not a phallus for nowt you know?

He's never going to be world class is he? Decent squad player in style we play. I'll be very disappointed if don't out grow him. If he goes to Newcastle he's shooting himself in the foot. Pardew plays ****e football.